Whyplantyoubenormal
Are these healthy roots? It seemed to be drying out quickly so I added moss a couple weeks ago. I live in a dry climate
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Are these healthy roots? It seemed to be drying out quickly so I… | The Orchid Oasis | Comunidad de Planta
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spearfThey seem healthy but a bit dry. Spagnum moss can actually cause it to dry out faster. I’d recommend an orchid bark mix and spraying the roots with water to keep em green.
3 Me gusta- Whyplantyoubenormal
Oh I see. I thought the moss would help, hence why I mixed it with the orchid bark! I never knew
0 Me gusta - spearf
It helps keep it moist short term but it dries out so easily, so it tends to do more harm than good. It was a good line of thinking, though! You can mix it with orchid bark, but probably a lot less than what you used. As long as the roots are green it’s happy :)
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- Jen
I would disagree about moss drying out faster than bark- maybe it’s an environmental difference between where we live, but my moss consistently stays damp longer than my bark. Your roots do tend to look a little dry, but the discoloration, possibly ‘root burn’ can also be caused by excessive amounts of minerals, if you are using hard water to water your orchids. I have had a little bit of that in the past, but only on my extremely sensitive hybrids. As long as the roots in the pot seemed to be healthy, and the plant continues to grow well, I wouldn’t worry too much.
4 Me gusta- Whyplantyoubenormal
I live in a desert climate..and I do use hard water. So that would def make sense!
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- Waspinator
With sphagnum, how long you water it is a main factor that determines how fast it dries out; when it's completely dry, it's a little hydro-phobic, so a quick splash won't load it with much water. On the other hand, if you soak it (bottom-watering), it can get too wet and stay moist for weeks. To get a good medium amount of wet, top-water and hold it in the stream for around ten seconds. Also resist the urge to pack it in too densely; orchid roots need plenty of air
2 Me gusta- Whyplantyoubenormal
Very informative! Thank you very much. It’s definitely densely packed..
1 me gusta
MattLAgree with those saying sphagnum stays moist longer, and it makes a good additive or topper but maybe not for the whole medium. Orchids at the supermarket are often planted in sphagnum and it’s easy to overwater them.
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