Orchid roots need proper care or they will shrivel and die.
The nearly 30,000 species of orchids make up the family Orchidaceae, the world's largest group of flowering plants. They appear in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and scents in nearly every area of the planet. Healthy roots are vital to the overall health, well being and blooming potential of orchids. With proper care, orchid growers can easily avoid seeing the roots of their exotic flower shrivel, which can result in the death of the entire plant. Does this Spark an idea?
Over-Fertilization
Over-fertilizing an orchid can lead to burnt, dead roots. Orchid roots fare better when they lack fertilizer rather than have too much, as specimens that are exposed to too much fertilizer may exhibit yellow, shriveled or wilted roots and poorly looking leaves. A good rule of thumb for fertilizing orchids is "feed weakly, weekly," according to Kent Kobayashi of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Tropical Plant & Soil Sciences Department. Flush pots with pure water to prevent the build-up of minerals in the plant if you suspect an orchid has been over-fertilized.
Over-Watering
Kobayashi also notes that orchid roots can not tolerate over-watering or excessive moisture surrounding them, as they need adequate air circulation to survive. Healthy roots that are receiving the right amount of water appear firm, fleshy and white in color, often with plump green tips. Over-saturated orchid roots will turn yellow, wilt and shrivel before the leaves and flowers die.
Debris
Orchid roots require adequate air flow to grow healthy and strong, and if they are in any environment that is laden with mud, bark and other debris, their ability to absorb water and nutrients properly may be hindered. The University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service notes that orchids should be repotted about every two years, giving gardeners the opportunity to rinse roots of debris with tepid water, place them in fresh potting mix and transfer them to a larger container that will allow for new, healthy root growth and air circulation.
Disease
The St. Augustine Orchid Society describes several diseases that can lead to shriveled orchid roots. Bacterial soft and brown rot can cause orchid roots to shrivel, rot and wilt, and black rot is a purplish-black infection that starts in new roots and can cause the entire plant to quickly shrivel and wilt. Fungal root rot, a highly contagious disease caused by salt buildup from over-watering, over-fertilization or injury, will result in rotted, shriveled orchid roots.
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