It's very common to see orchids with their roots sticking out of the pot. Some people love it, others hate it. And many of you are wondering whether these roots can be pruned. The quick answer is NO. But there are nuances...
What are aerial roots?
Orchids are naturally epiphytic plants, which means they grow on other plants rather than in the ground. Roots anchor the plant and enable it to absorb water and essential nutrients. The aerial roots of orchids are therefore an integral part of the system used by the plant to develop.
Aerial roots are generally among the healthiest roots on the plant, growing in conditions closer to the orchid's natural habitat. Don't cut these aerial roots; let them do their job.
However, commercial orchids are usually potted in pine bark or sphagnum moss. Over time, these elements degrade, subjecting the roots to considerable stress and a high risk of rotting.
What can be done to reduce the visual impact of aerial roots?
If you find these roots unsightly, here are a few tips to minimize their visual impact.
Double your orchid pots.
Most orchids are sold in transparent pots to allow light to penetrate to the roots. At home, you'll probably place your orchid in a pretty decorative pot. In this case, when aerial roots emerge, you can encourage them to grow along the sides of the transparent pot and into the decorative pot. In this way, the aerial roots will be less visible. However, make sure they don't end up in a puddle at the bottom of the decorative pot.
Prune some aerial roots
Cutting dead orchid roots is essential, but first you need to differentiate between them. They are easy to distinguish, as they become brown and soft, or desiccated. Roots that are still firm, on the other hand, should not be cut, even if they have turned yellow. Cut off the last part that is still in good condition. Be sure to disinfect your scissors to avoid bringing disease to the plant.
Treat aerial roots properly
The aerial roots of orchids require no special care. If you take good care of your orchid, the aerial roots will be happy.
Watering or not?
You don't need to water the aerial roots directly, but you can spray them. If the roots in the growing medium are well supplied with water, the aerial roots should remain plump, firm and silvery in color, with green tips.
Good to know: The best way to water orchids is to place them in a sink (or shower) and shower or run warm water over the growing medium. In this way, the aerial roots are also kept wet.
Humidity level
If your orchid has a lot of aerial roots, it will be more sensitive to humidity levels. Try to keep humidity levels above 40% so that aerial roots don't dry out too quickly. If the humidity level in your home is low, consider placing your orchid on a humidity tray (water + clay balls, for example) or using a humidifier.
A reminder: orchid roots are dark green when wet and silver when dry.
Need for light
Orchids actively photosynthesize through their roots. If your orchid's roots are exposed to bright, indirect light, this will be beneficial. But beware of sunburn. Aerial orchid roots can also get sunburned. If you leave your orchid in hot, direct sunlight for prolonged periods, the roots can become crusty and brown or black.
What to do with invasive orchid roots?
If your orchid's pot is so full of roots that they are pulling or breaking the pot or coming out from underneath, you should consider repotting your orchid. In this case, choose a slightly larger pot. Empty all the potting soil and free all the roots. This is an excellent opportunity to assess their health. Remember that healthy roots should be plump and firm, even hard. If some roots are mushy, soft, brittle and brown or black, root rot is present. If roots are grey and shrivelled, they are dehydrated.
Any roots that are not healthy should be removed with sterile scissors and not repotted into the new pot, where they could have a negative impact on the plant's health. Be sure to use a new potting mix.