Judging Cymbidium goeringii Cultivation from Its Roots: Assessing Care Quality by Root Condition

Good orchid roots can be divided into four situations: 1. Orchid roots are white, have crystal tips, and are of suitable length [according to some orchid books, the suitable length of orchid roots is about 80% of the length of orchid leaves], uniform in thickness, and new roots can grow again from old orchid roots. Such orchid roots are the best, indicating that the growing medium is suitable and the cultivation method is correct. 2. Orchid roots are white, have crystal tips, and are uniform in thickness, but the orchid roots are rather long and thin; this is mostly due to being too dry or having too little fertilizer, so in the future slightly more water or fertilizer can be added. 3. Orchid roots are white, have crystal tips, and are uniform in thickness, but the orchid roots are rather short and thick; this is mostly due to being too wet or having too much fertilizer, so in the future they can be kept slightly drier or given less fertilizer. 4. Orchid roots are white, have crystal tips, and are of suitable length, but the same orchid root is uneven in thickness; this is mostly due to being too dry or having too little fertilizer during one period, and then too wet or having too much fertilizer during another period, so in future management it is enough to keep things balanced and consistent. Yellow roots are diseased, black roots are rotten. Poor orchid roots generally appear yellow and black, have no crystal tips or have inconspicuous crystal tips, and can likewise be divided into four situations: 1. Orchid roots are yellow, indicating that the orchid roots have been harmed by pathogens, chemicals, stuffy heat and steaming, freezing, and so on; in the future, pay attention to sterilization, ventilation, cooling, freeze prevention, use of low-concentration chemicals, watering thoroughly, and not watering during high temperatures. 2. Orchid roots are black. Black orchid roots have various forms of appearance: some have the whole root black; some are black outside and white inside; some are white outside and black inside; some are white outside and inside with a black layer in the middle; some have one section of the orchid root black; some have a black tip, and so on. Orchid roots turning black is mostly caused by the growing medium being non-breathable, poor drainage, too much water, and heavy fertilizer, with heavy fertilizer still accounting for the majority; in the future, choose a breathable growing medium with good drainage, use less water, and use less fertilizer or no fertilizer. 3. Orchid roots are hollow, with the outer skin intact and white, while the inner layer has rotted away and become hollow; this is mostly caused by long-term water shortage, so in the future do not let them go without water for long periods. Old roots being hollow, or one section of a root being hollow, may be because the orchid roots did not come into contact with the growing medium, so attention should be paid to this when planting orchids in the future. 4. Orchid roots are white, with some parts dead and damaged; this may be due to pathogen or pest infestation, so in the future pay attention to sterilization and pest control.