Heather has two healthy Phalaenopsis, but top of roots (nearest plant) developing brown spots/patches, looking woody. Bottom roots fine. Asks if should stop watering from above, or something sinister.
Heather, photo would help. Sounds like thin corky (woody) tissue covering velamen (spongy outer root). Unsightly but protects against moisture loss—normal. Add orchid mix to cover that root portion. Since you water from top, wet mix on top protects exposed root. In nature, orchid roots grow in humidity. Exposed to drier air, they develop protective sheath or stop growing, covering green tip with cells.
Planting Agave Around a Boulder: Root Pruning and Site Selection
Orchid with No Roots Left: The Long-Game Rescue in a Humidity Bag
Phalaenopsis Repotted Too Large: Limp Leaves Signal Root Rot
Repotting Phalaenopsis: Handling Aerial Roots, Dead Roots, and Pot Size
Slipper Orchid Rescue: One-Root Recovery, Soda Bottle Terrarium, and Never Giving Up
Protecting Tree Roots During Construction Near Lime Trees
Diagnosing and Treating Dead Patches in a Pacific Northwest Lawn
Rescuing a Dehydrated Cattleya Orchid with New Root Growth
Green Growths on Orchid Air Roots: Normal Root Branching
Water Leaking from Cut Tree Roots: Normal Spring Flow
Bradford Pear Root Suckers: Causes and Management
Starting a New Lawn Over Old Weeds: Topsoil vs. Scalping
Root-Pruning Pots: The Secret to Healthy Trees and Shrubs in Containers
Copyright © www.100flowers.win Botanic Garden All Rights Reserved