fat roots

[merc]

just got my select orchids order and wow these roots are chonky! some are nearly as fat as my pinky finger! i'm hoping people can share tips they have for getting fat roots like this.

one tip passed onto me by tim of oceanside orchids was use of RO filtered water. i've fired up my old RO unit just so i can try to replicate.

if you've got a tip please do share! i try to incorporate all the tips i've received into my orchid care regiment and so far they've been paying off so def looking forward to more tips from all you seasoned growers!

 

[big923cattleya]

Fat roots are likely a by-product of good culture and genetics.
As an example, Paphs with rothschildianum in the background or kovachii and caudatum have thicker roots then besseae.
Larger vegetative growth from larger growing species produce larger, more robust roots.
If two parents of a cross produce smaller or thinner roots, good culture will have them produce a maximum root system that their genetic backgrounds allow.

 

[Tom-DE]

Nice plant!
I am going to point out the obvious. some parvis like delenatii and malipoense naturally have big fat roots and most of the Brachys like concolor, nieveum, leucochilum... also have big roots. The white complex hybrids like the one you just received also have bigger roots and that is because it has Brachy in the blood. A well-kept plant also will have nice healthy big roots, so "how to grow nice big roots?" is still a valid question.

 

[Tom-DE]

I don't think Paph. rothchildianum or Phrag. caudatum have particular big roots. A well-grown plants may have good root systems but no big fat roots.

 

[kc6847]

I find it seems to come down mostly to genetics, my Lynleigh Koopowitz has much thicker roots than my multiflorals yet they dwarf it in leaf size.

 

[BrucherT]

Root porn!