Orchids have always been highly sought after for their striking and distinctive blooms.
Their representation of purity and wholesomeness has made them appropriately graceful decor at weddings and christenings while their vibrant colors and unique shapes have made them anchors of many arrangements and bouquets.
These blooms dazzle us as decoration and amaze us in nature where they can be found growing on trees and rocks as if they were on stage.
Just like on Broadway, to pull off an incredible performance requires a lot of hard work backstage, or in the orchid's case, below the potting surface with the orchid roots.
The orchid roots of these plants are responsible for providing the life sustaining stability and nutrients to the plant.
To keep your orchid in award-winning form, you must keep the orchid roots happy and healthy.
Orchid roots require a good amount of air circulation and breathability.
This can be achieved by using a pot with large holes in the sides and base to allow for maximum air flow and water drainage.
You should also use a specialized potting material to surround the orchid roots.
No ordinary potting soil or compost will do.
These fillers are too compact and will retain too much moisture for the roots to survive.
Filling the pot with a matter specialized for orchids containing balanced bulky absorbent material will provide the most positive growth results.
The pot itself can be made of different materials depending on your orchid's preferences.
A container made of porous organic material such as terracotta or clay to allow for more water absorption.
Transparent plastic and glass pots are also good because they allow unobstructed observation of the orchid roots so any problems can be spotted early on.
However, they will retain more moisture and let in more sunlight which some root systems have trouble tolerating.
When it comes to watering your plant, less is more.
The orchid roots are designed with tiny extensions and a protective skin to be very efficient at absorbing and storing the water that the plant needs.
The leaves of and orchid also collect and store moisture from the air.
An excess of moisture can quickly overload the root system and makes it easily susceptible to root rot.
Simply check the dampness of the soil around the plant and only add water when absolutely necessary.
If your orchid roots are healthy, that means they are growing.
Eventually they will get too big for their pot, and they will begin to break and the entire plant will suffer from a lack of nutrients.
Even though the symptoms can be life threatening, the treatment is rather simple; you just need to get your orchid a bigger pot.
This will generally be necessary every 18 to 24 months.
Root growth rates do vary among the different families of orchids so you should talk to your local plant expert to determine when to anticipate getting your bloom a new home.
By keeping your orchid roots happy and healthy, you are ensuring that your orchid will have the support it needs to present splendid shows of foliage and flowers for years.