Cut healthy roots back?

[jeremyinsf]

I think there is actually a lot of agreement here - mostly = only do it when necessary.

[james mickelso]

Jeremyinsf, do you grow bonsai? I did for decades.

[jeremyinsf]

I used to. But I live in a major city with a shared outside area and it just wasn't sustainable. I couldn't get the landlord and the neighbors to cut back the really large trees so I just wasn't getting enough light after a few years. So now, no outdoor trees, but LOTS of bonsai supplies left! Including some really expensive shears! It's part of what lead me to indoor growing of orchids - I have more control on what happens inside my flat than what happens outside. I do have a very small porch where the BBQ is, and I have 10 or so orchids out there. SF is great for Masdevallia's and stuff like that, so I have some under my lights inside and some out there. The other 115 plants are all indoors!

[james mickelso]

Where in The City are you located? I get up there occasionally so maybe we could have coffee sometime. There are some more folks up there on this board. I gave up bonsai after 40+ years of growing them. Gave what was left to the San Diego Friendship Garden. Just couldn't care for them properly at the time. I'm thinking of giving up my orchids for awhile. Other priorities.

[jeremyinsf]

I would love to get together, and if you need a home for Paph's Phrags or Masdies, yes let's talk about that too! I will send you a private message.

[Seewah86]

Thank you everyone! Excellent responses. I don't believe I will ever cut my healthy roots back.