Causes of aerial roots and root rot in Phalaenopsis orchids and watering precautions

I believe that whether you are a new flower lover or a veteran one, anyone who has grown "Phalaenopsis" orchids has encountered root rot and aerial roots. The cause of aerial roots is that the root has been lacking water for a long time, and after exhausting itself it becomes shriveled. As for root rot, it is mostly caused by insufficient ventilation and a potting medium that holds water too well, leading to long-term waterlogged conditions. So when it comes to care, how exactly should you water? Below is a rough and simple method.

Everyone thinks watering Phalaenopsis is difficult, but once you master the technique, you only need to look at the color of the roots. If the roots are a lush green, that means no watering is needed. When the roots turn whitish, that proves it is time to water, and the amazing thing is that as soon as the roots touch water, they quickly turn from white to green.

After watering, it should not be kept indoors or in a space without airflow; it must be placed somewhere with good ventilation and diffused light, and watered again the next time the roots turn white. As long as you follow this cycle, the Phalaenopsis you grow will not go wrong.

Judging by the habits of Phalaenopsis, its roots love a potting medium that is moist but not waterlogged, with a state like a freshly wrung-out towel, damp but not dripping. If the roots are not doing well and there is a lot of root rot, then water less, which can stimulate it to grow new roots. Conversely, if the roots are very sturdy and the surrounding environment is dry, then you cannot leave it dry, especially when it is blooming; if it is too dry, the buds easily drop and the leaves become wilted from being depleted. Normal care should alternate between wet and dry, which is the correct way.

Finally, here are a few suggestions for beginners: do not be afraid to water just because you fear root rot. Actually, the plant is not that delicate. The watering frequency can depend on the season, the environment and the size of the seedling, roughly once every 10 to 20 days, 50 to 100 ml each time, and observe the state of the transparent cup yourself. If you really run into problems later, search online more and refer to the experience of flower lovers who have grown them for years; that is better than guessing randomly. In short, I hope everyone's Phalaenopsis gets through summer smoothly.