Aerial roots or not?

[LarryMac]

Quick background:
Nooby
I inherited 6 mostly unhealthy Phalaenopsis that hadn't been repotted in many years. Most in bark and sphagnum.
Repotted them in semi-hydro fashion. Drainless opaque pots, holes drilled about 1" from bottom, filled with Leca. They sit in a 5" tall bin that typically has 1/8" water.

Question:
Most have started sprouting very green succulent looking roots just below the leaves.
1) Do you believe these are regular roots or aerial roots?
2) If they hang-out over the pots should I direct them into the leca?
3) When I repotted them I removed several rotten roots. How long before I can pull them out of the pots again and examine & remove other rotting roots that I'm pretty sure exist. Don't want to over disturb them.
Thanks folks

[estación seca]

Let the roots grow wherever they want. There's no difference between aerial and other roots. Don't pull S/H plants out to remove old roots; it's unnecessary.

[LarryMac]

After doing more research, I think the plants are in the process of adapting to S/H from their previous compacted & decaying media and I should be happy to see and expect to see the new roots.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by LarryMac

After doing more research, I think the plants are in the process of adapting to S/H from then previous compact potting at I should be happy to see and expect to see the new roots.

Exactly. Just make sure you're flushing them at least every week to ten days. In other words, take pot out of the bin/tray, and fill to top with water, let drain down to the reservoir hole, put back in bin. That assists with flushing out the dead debris, prevents excess mineral buildup, and the force of the water running through aerates the medium and roots.

[LarryMac]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Exactly. Just make sure you're flushing them at least every week to ten days. In other words, take pot out of the bin/tray, and fill to top with water, let drain down to the reservoir hole, put back in bin. That assists with flushing out the dead debris, prevents excess mineral buildup, and the force of the water running through aerates the medium and roots.

Just finished doing that.