Stem or Root

I have a beautiful Phalaenopsis as do a couple of others in the office and as the resident green thumb I have been asked to look after them. I have done lots of reading and have the watering, etc questions answered but the one thing I haven't found is how do I tell the difference between a shoot that is a root and a shoot that is a stem for the flowers. I have three new shoots on mine and I don't know whether to clip them up on the stick or let them go down into the bark.

Thanks

Jane

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Jan 17, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Cable's Reply
by: Cable Thompson

This is a question people often wonder about; sometimes it's hard to tell until the stem or root has grown out a bit.

Orchid roots are green just at the growth tip, and white behind that. (The white layer, called velamen, is actually made of dead cells; its purpose is to help the plant adhere to tree bark or other supports, and to absorb moisture from humid air. The cells that will become velamen die a few days after that part of the root formed.)

Stems will be green all along their length, with small leaves at the nodes of the stem. The growth tip of a flower stem usually has a cluster of tiny little leaves; it often resembles a mitten.

Staking a flower stem isn't urgent; I suggest that you simply wait until it's obvious whether the new growth is a stem or a root. Sometimes roots won't want to go into the pot, and that's OK; just let them wander and become aerial roots.
Jan 18, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: Anonymous

Fabulous thanks. Just what I need to know and more.

Jane
Sep 09, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		thank you
by: Anonymous

this was my beginner question. i have these roots on the outside of my pot and didn't known what to do and now I do thank you.
Dec 16, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great reply/advice! NEW
by: Anonymous

I had a growth spurt of aerial roots and was wondering the same thing, so I asked the same question of a friend who replied with pictures of his orchids and their bloom spikes.

With the pictures it was easy to see the difference between them.

I was disappointed to find out my orchids were all growing aerial roots and not bloom spikes, but at least they were growing...



Dec 04, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Orchid rebloom NEW
by: Betty

I have an orchid about a year old The flowers lasted a long time. I cut the flower shaft, have had lots of root growing and then drying up. Now I have what looks just like the flower stem attached to a bottom leave of the plant. It is about 7 inches long. I looks like it should be getting flowers. Should I be doing something?
Apr 20, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Air roots NEW
by: Patricia

Thanks, I know what to do now. My orchid has re flowered and is over 12 months since I had it . It is in the bathroom
I love it. Su

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