when to cut an orchid root

[Katrina33]

I have several roots on an orchid that are crisp and dry at the end. I also have several roots that have crimps or what look like breaks in the root. Should I cut that part off?

[Veksa]

Shortly - no. Do you mean aerial roots?

[camille1585]

The dry crispy tips can be cut off for esthetic reasons, it's just better to not cut into the live tissue.

As to bent, cracked, broken roots, those affect only the outer layer, called velamen, and not the actual root, which is the thin wiry strand in the middle. The velamen acts as a spong to bring water to the root.

In short, the only bad roots are ones which are mushy and hollow. Anything still hard, no matter the color or cracks, is a functional root.

[Katrina33]

Camille:
Thank you so much for the helpful answer!
Kathy