Cut orchid aerial roots - this is how to do it right

• Orchid aerial roots
• material requirements
• time
• preparation
• To cut
• repotting
• To seal

When the root system of the orchids takes over, many plant lovers would like to reach for the pair of scissors and prune it. However, this is absolutely not recommended, because the so-called aerial roots are vital for orchids.

It is not uncommon for the root system of the orchids to shoot out of the pot and partially disturb the appearance of the plants. However, this should not be cut off easily, because this could be the orchids. Why the orchids make these bizarre rhizomes, and how they are best cut, read here.

Orchid aerial roots

Some species of orchids, in particular the Phalaenopsis orchids, form so-called aerial roots. These are also called adhesive or respiratory roots and serve to provide nutrients to the plant. Because these roots are surrounded by a spongy cell layer (Velamen radicum), which allows the absorption and storage of water. In addition to the nutrient supply, the aerial roots of the plant also provide support and provide additional stability. Because of these characteristics, the orchids are able to survive completely without substrate and therefore often grow on trees in nature. The valuable adherents are therefore not only extremely useful, but also take on sometimes bizarre forms:

• grow in all directions
• Form into loops
• get caught up in each other
• shimmer slightly greenish
• because they are chlorophyll-bearing

Which aerial roots cut ">

If too many respiratory roots form, the plant does not suffer for the time being. However, a pronounced growth of these roots indicates errors in cultivation. In particular, a lack of nutrient supply can literally sprout the respiratory roots: For the orchids form these, in order to get nutrients outside of the substrate. For the orchids, the respiratory roots are therefore vital, so they should be cut with the utmost care and under certain conditions. In particular, the cutting of vital respiratory roots should be discouraged, as this could cause lasting damage to the plant. However, the following root strands can usually be easily removed:

• dead root system
• this is either completely dry or mushy
• extremely dry root system

For extremely dry rooting it is advisable not to cut it directly. Because they often dry out due to low humidity. It is better to first increase the water vapor of the air by spraying the roots with lukewarm water. Alternatively, it is worth setting up an evaporation tray or a humidifier.

material requirements

To make the cut as gentle as possible, a sharp cutting tool is absolutely necessary. This avoids fraying of the interfaces and prevents bruising. Who would like to cut the aerial roots, should therefore not resort to a conventional budgetary scissors. It is better to use only cutting tool with a really sharp blade. The following utensils are therefore required for the professional cutting of the respiratory roots:

• sharp cutting tool
• Knife, scalpel or utility knife
• Wound closure means
• spray bottle

time

In the optimal case, the adhesive roots are cut in the course of potting, because they have a larger space in the new vessel. This in turn promotes the formation of new and healthy root networks. If you want to cut the root system, you should also wait until the plant is in the resting phase. A cut outside the growth and flowering period is also best for the following reasons:

• Plant is less vulnerable
• copes better with the cut
• Formation of flowering shoots is not affected

preparation

Before the work material is used, it should be disinfected. There are various methods for this, with disinfection using high-percentage alcohol or boiling water being the most popular. Subsequently, it is checked whether the respiratory roots are still intact. Healthy respiratory roots can usually be recognized by their plump, smooth surface. If you are not sure whether the root system is intact, you can test it as follows:

• Spray root with water
• If she turns green, she is healthy
• if it does not discolor, it is sick or dead

To cut

Once the preparations have been made, it is possible to start cutting off the roots of the breath. For this, it is first necessary to remove the plant from the vessel. It is not uncommon for the orchids to settle and be difficult to remove from the pot. In such cases, the plant should by no means be pulled out by force, as this could damage the root system. It is better to cut the vessel carefully and carefully remove the plant. The subsequent cutting off of the respiratory roots is best done as follows:

• Free root system from the earth
• Dip the root ball together with the adhesive roots in water
• best lime-free water
• This makes the root network supple
• Cut off dead strands
• Only dilute vital root system slightly
• not cut off completely
• Apply wound closure agent
• Repot plant

Tip: If an intact aerial root is accidentally damaged, the interface should be sealed with high quality cinnamon. Because this protects the plant due to its antibacterial effect against germs.

repotting

Shortening the respiratory roots should be directly linked to repotting the plant. It is best to place the orchids in a transparent special pot, as this gives the root system more light. In addition, a transparent vessel has the advantage that the roots are constantly observed and care errors can be detected more quickly. When choosing the right pot, make sure that it is not too big, otherwise the rooting will not find any support. In addition, the substrate does not dry quickly enough after casting, favoring root rot. If the appropriate vessel is available, the plant can be repotted as follows:

• Incorporate drainage into the new pot
• Expanded clay is suitable for this
• Place a layer about 2 to 3 cm high on the drain hole
• fill a layer of soil into the jar
• Insert plant together with the adhesive roots
• Put root ends in the pot
• Carefully and steadily turn the pot in one direction
• so that the roots turn into the pot
• Fill pot with soil
• Do not irrigate for several days to prevent infection
• because then the wounds can close
• do not fertilize for about 1 month

Tip: To make sure that the interstices of the roots are filled with substrate as well as possible, the vessel should be repeatedly tapped on the ground in between. Because this distributes the soil better between the individual root strands.

To seal

The sealing of the cuts is an essential part of the care after shortening. Because this prevents infections and supports the healing process of the wounds. Therefore, it is advisable to treat the wounds with a wound closure agent immediately after cutting. For this purpose, various preparations are suitable:

• Coal or sulfur powder
• however, they do not provide permanent protection
• high quality cinnamon
• professional sealing paste