Re: Philodendron aerial roots

From: "Carlo A. Balistrieri" <cabalist at facstaff.wisc.edu> on 1997.11.15 at 05:49:55(1621) At 05:40 PM 11/14/97 -0600, you wrote: >>Awhile back I wrote about Philodenron "Xanadu" and >>all the aerial roots that it was producing. +More >> >>Question: when I divide and repot this thing, what >>should I do with these roots? I shouldn't bury >>them, should I? Snip them off? > >Sue, >Think about the purpose of roots.... to provide nurishment to the plant... >If I were you, I would do my best to cram them in the pot. If you soak >them in water for a couple of hours, they will become more pliable... Cut >them if absolutely necessary only.... >Dewey Dewey, I have to disagree with you on this one. As a grower of many epiphytes before I even got to the aroid group I am familiar with aerial roots. The last thing I'd do is cram them into a pot. I'd leave them be and use them to help establish the plant by misting them regularly. There is a school of thought that aerial roots are physiologically different than roots that go into substrate and, at least anecdotal evidence that if aerial roots are buried, they'll simply rot. Besides, I kind of like them dangling out in space! Carlo Carlo A. Balistrieri, J.D. Email: CABalist@facstaff.wisc.edu P.O. Box 327 Ashippun, WI 53003-0327 U.S.A. Voice: 414.569.1902 Telefax: same number, please call ahead.

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