Among the variety of indoor plants, there are a considerable number of flowers with aerial roots. The most common: ficus, fat girl (family, it is also a money tree) and monstera. The most famous are orchids, even those who are not inclined to cultivate a home garden are aware of them. Aerial root is very useful for both the plant and its owner. The latter, by the presence, development, and appearance of an additional organ of a plant, can draw very specific conclusions about its health. However, it is worth considering that aerial roots impose certain responsibilities for caring for the plant. And although their performance is not too troublesome, you should not forget about them.
Why do you need aerial roots
They are present in those plants that have tropical ancestors. Moreover, they lived in wetlands. For most indoor flowers, such adnexal organs serve as an additional organ of nutrition. With their help, plants receive moisture from the air, and when rooted in the soil - nutrients from it. For some species, these processes also serve as additional support, such as, for example, the aerial roots of a monstera. Therefore, they grow until they run into something solid (or into the ground), and eventually become woody. The resulting dense surface layer not only creates support stiffness, but also protects soft air roots from accidental damage. By the way, not only monstera appendages have a hard cover. It grows on such organs in all plants. Features have aerial roots of orchids. They additionally absorb light. That's why these flowers are planted in transparent containers.
Caring for additional organs monstera
First of all, it must be borne in mind that this plant itself is a liana. That is, he never forms a single strong trunk, and if you want the monstera to form a bush and grow up, she needs a stance. The plant will rely on it not only with leaves, but also with aerial roots. And it will become stronger as it grows.
Since the subordinate roots are primarily used for additional nutrition, during spraying the plants must also be sprayed on them. With a lack of moisture (most often this happens in winter, when a tub with a flower is near a working battery or air heater), the air roots of the monstera begin to dry. If there are a lot of them, and you catch on time, then big trouble will not happen. But if the plant is young and has not managed to form a sufficient number of additional organs, it ceases to develop, the leaves become smaller, and without urgent action, you can lose your beauty.
Most growers believe that the main thing without which the monstera does not survive is aerial roots. What if they stick out in different directions, making the flower scruffy? Carefully but persistently direct them down to the ground or towards the nearest support. Those that lay on the ground are sprinkled with earth for rooting. In no case can they be cut off - this can seriously harm the plant.
Why don't these necessary “extras” grow on the monster
Many who have recently acquired a new pet are worried that the plant lacks what any self-respecting monstera boasts of aerial roots. What if they do not grow? Do not worry! A young plant that has not yet filled the pot provided to it, simply does not need additional organs. He has enough water received from the soil, and it is not so large as to require support. As soon as it is stretched, it will grow air roots in the quantity it needs.
Orchid root system problems
These plants are much more tender and capricious - they need special conditions for life and a special, rather troublesome care. Therefore, not every grower will risk placing orchids on the windowsill, even despite their remarkable flowering. And the one who nevertheless has decided, but has not yet gained enough experience, is faced with problems that begin to create in excess of him the aerial roots of orchids. If at the monstera they can only begin to dry, and it is not difficult to figure out the reasons (as well as eliminate them), then for capricious beauties, the additional roots can not only dry out, but also rot. And often there is a need to reanimate orchids, which were left completely without aerial roots.
Causes of Rotting and Drying
Most novice orchid growers are convinced that these flowers live almost in a swamp, and simply fill them with water. Hence the following prerequisites for root rot:
- Abundant and frequent watering.
- A lot of water in the cool months.
- Unsuitable soil that dries slowly or retains moisture too well.
- Watering orchids with damaged (for example, when replanting) roots.
Thus, in order to prevent decay, you just need to observe the measure in the water supply, the integrity of the root system, choose the right soil and monitor the temperature regime.
Drying aerial roots in orchids are much less common. Nevertheless, misconceptions about the water regime in this case save the plants. Appendages can dry out only when the flowers are not watered at all in the summer or they are done extremely rarely, which is unlikely to happen for a person who decides to have such a moody beauty.
Finally, we note that the loss of aerial roots for an orchid is more dangerous than for a monstera. So to avoid such a phenomenon must be very diligent.