Cut healthy roots back?

[Seewah86]

Newbie here. Purchased some new potting mix that says I should cut healthy roots back to 6" when I repot. This is the first time I've ever heard of trimming good roots back. Is this really necessary? What's the point?

[RosieC]

I never do. I've heard it before and the first time I did. The orchid nearly died but that might be un-related. I thought it was the cause initially, but realised later it could easilly have been the already decomposing bark that did it.

For a Phal I would not bother. Just cut off the hollow/mushy roots and leave the good ones. That's what I always do.

However with Cymbidium, yes it is good to cut back 1/3 of the root mass length. I have done that and for such dense root masses as that (and fast growing roots) it does work well as it's just about the only way to get rid of dead matter as well.

So I guess it does depend on the orchid, but for Phals (as I first assumed you were talking about) it's not a good plan in my view.

[jeremyinsf]

I had a long conversation with one of my growers about this. Basically he said you want things to fit in a smaller pot - and so if you have a really large or older plant, and it needs to fit in the pot, it's OK to trim back. This especially applies to things like multi-floral paph's that REALLY grow roots. However, with a smaller plant, or something like a phal, I don't see how it would be necessary.

And orchids aren't like, say, Bonsai, where when you re-pot you automatically chop off 1/3 or 1/2 of the roots.

[tucker85]

When I first started growing orchids I would trim all the roots back when I repotted them because that was what the more experienced growers told me to do. Like Rosie said, I feel like it would set the orchid back for awhile. Now I don't cut healthy roots back unless there's a good reason. I think the main point is that you can cut healthy roots if you think it's necessary. But I think you're better off not doing it if there's no reason to.

[Bud]

I purchased seaweed mix to produce healthy robust roots for my orchids...now why would I cut the healthy roots???!! I believe the more healthy roots I got the better blooms the plant will produce.
I would rather adjust my pot size deeper, longer or wider than cut off the roots to fit a pot.
Aesthetics are for the florists display in a shop = we are orchid growers....I care for the welfare of the plant. Leave those healthy roots alone!

[james mickelso]

But.....if necessary there is usually no harm done if you cut them off with the proper technique. When you cut any roots, you need to let the root tips where they have been cut dry off or heal. You can use cinnamon to hasten the healing. Cinnamon cauterizes the wound and helps seal it. Just dab some on the cut ends. Not along the whole root length but just the ends. If the orchid is healthy or you are cutting roots back on an older pbulb, the orchid won't miss a beat. Here's some proof. This root was injured so I cut it back. It was a very long single root. Now it has lots of new root tips.

[jeremyinsf]

I've also used a hot instrument when cutting to cauterize. I use stainless steel bonsai shears and get them really hot with the flame to sterilize, then quickly make the cut instead of cooling them down first. I only do this on 'sick' roots though when I really want to cauterize it and am not trying to get that particular root to grow. It seems to take care of two birds with one cut, so to speak, from my experience.

[james mickelso]

great idea.

[jeremyinsf]

I have to admit, it's kind of fun too, to hear the sound of it when making the cut - I suppose it makes me -feel- like it's really being sealed! I have used the same process on leaves as well.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Bud

I purchased seaweed mix to produce healthy robust roots for my orchids...now why would I cut the healthy roots???!! I believe the more healthy roots I got the better blooms the plant will produce.
I would rather adjust my pot size deeper, longer or wider than cut off the roots to fit a pot.
Aesthetics are for the florists display in a shop = we are orchid growers....I care for the welfare of the plant. Leave those healthy roots alone!

I'm with Bud on this one.

I used to not care about damaging orchid roots, but now I know what kind of damage that does to an orchid. It makes everything so much more difficult to grow.

I wouldn't even advise removing healthy roots on an established orchid with tons of roots to be honest with you. Anything can happen, and when that anything does happen, you're gonna wish you never cut those roots.