need help in repotting of extremely rootbound phalaenopsis

[shahrezsyed]

everybody!
i bought a new phal which was potted in sphagnum. it is very healthy,every single root is plump and green but it is so root bound that everyroot is on top of each other and its like one solid block of jammed roots. the orchid is so pot bound that the clear plastic pot has burst open and no medium hass dislodged still and it is still a unmovable mass of roots . so, the question is how sud i repot it.?i think that,s enough info for every orchid orchid genius here at OB to figure it out.

P.S:i was thinking that i cud pot it in a hanging basket
just like this without loosening the roots and cleaning out the previous medium?
othervise it is very healthy!

[mayres]

IMHO - Everything EXCEPT not cleaning out the previous medium sounds OK. The medium will eventually start to disentegrate and then it will cause your great roots to rot. Soak the roots for awhile to make them more pliable - you should be able to get everthing cleaned up and ready for a new pot and media without stressing out the plant too much.

[unhappykat]

You can hang it in a basket but you must remove the old moss first, at least as much as possible without disturbing the rootmass, If you are able to rinse the plant under running water while removing the moss and you will stress the plant less. if you put it in a basket remember its not a vanda and really needs water everyday or it will shrivel.