Why do my orchids grow a lot of aerial roots?

varieties are Oncidium and Cattleya

Why do my orchids grow a lot of aerial roots?
They pull moisture from the occasional rains and hold on to it for growth. The plants survive this way because of the environment which they live there is little or no soil from rooting. We have many orchids and we have them in gravel or lava pots. Water and mist every few days and they must be able to drain completely. If they we show signs of stress ,if not watered regularly. about once every 2 weeks soak the roots for 20 min. More often if they show stress... limb or thin leaves. Dont put in direct sun light. Lite dose of fertilizer can be used perhaps once a week, read the lables for use on this type of plant. The plants need daily rain like in a tropical jungle.





Garry H
Reply:This is how they grow naturaly, they take moistuer and nutrians out of the air, spray these roots with an orchid feed 2 or 3 times a week.
Reply:it`s how they grow.lightly spray roots with tepid water,
Reply:Because that is what they do in the wild, They absorb nutrients and water from the humid air.
Reply:Orchids belong to a group of plants called epiphytes.


This type of plant can be found in deep forests, they grow high up in the tree canopy in order to get to the light.


They do not require soil to survive taking nutrients from the moisture in the air and rainwater.
Reply:thats how they grow they are not in soil