What do I do with this mass of roots when repotting?

[Orchid126]

Getting the medium out from between those roots will take a great deal of patience, but it can be done. As WhiteRabbit suggests, use a chop stick or a shishkabob skewer or even a pencil to gradually loosen the medium and poke it out. As you work some out it gradually becomes easier.

You may find that the roots in the center are bad. Clean them up. Don't fill the void they leave in the middle with more medium, it will only stay wet because there are no roots to absorb the moisture, and even more roots may rot. Get some packing peanuts. Slip your fingers around the base of the plant and turn it upside down. Stuff packing peanuts in the empty middle. Slip some plastic wrap or wax paper over the root ball and hold it in place with the other hand while you turn the plant right side up. Put the plant into the pot you intend to use and then gradually pull the wrap or paper out. Fill in around the rest of the roots with your desired medium.

[RosieC]

Thanks... great tips there

[Country Gramma]

Never would have thought of doing that to fill up the center. Thanks so much. I learn something (many thing) here every day

Karen

[camille1585]

I'm glad that yours is OK Rosie! Even if there is a sphag plug in the middle, it looks like those roots grew outside of that. I don't know if mine will make it. I'm really POed about it, since it was nearly rootless less than a week after buying it. If I get my mom another one, it will be from a serious grower, and not one of these mass produced things....

[RosieC]

Yeah, my one in June sounds like yours. It had the moss in the middle, and also Oasis Foam (that stuff used for cut flowers which holds TONS of water) in the bottom then bark on top and arround. Most of the roots were dead and it's only just clinging on with weak leaves and a completely shrivlled p-bulb.

I think this one can wait even if there is moss in the middle.

[RosieC]

Well after several months I've actually started attacking this root mass. It's even full of roots in the center although there was a moss block in the middle there.

I'm now an hour in to soaking and teasing the roots apart and it's still got a way to go.

[RosieC]

Well it's done. I'm worried by how many roots were probably damaged in the process. As they were very wet the outer coating of the roots seemed to keep coming off in places. Let's hope the new roots kick in and replace any damaged ones

[Jerry Delaney]

I guess I need to go back and relearn how to repot. It seems I may be the only on on the 'board' who isn't so concerned about saving every root on a plant. With a few exceptions, I trim all roots back so that none of the roots extend over 2/3 of the way down in the pot. Unlike most plants, orchids do not form a main permanent root system. Most of the roots pictured will die over a period of time. I have always felt that leaving a large mass of roots is a good way to really accelerate medium break down. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating that everyone start hacking off the roots when potting. I am just saying that it works for me and it makes repotting so much easier.

[RosieC]

I've always been amazed how many roots some of the experts seem to cut off when you see vidios of them repotting.

You may well be doing it the better way and I can understand your theory. I don't have the guts to try that though. I'm worried enough about the ones I did loose and the ones that got damaged. I'm still learning on these. I've got Phals sorted but and still really nervouse of most others.

[kasper6767]

Jerry you arent the only one I am the same way, I have never had a problem.