Absolute beginner, relocating a collection

[Davesp310]

Hi all,

Firstly, I am an absolute novice with orchids (and not particularly good with plants in general ).

I live in Australia, just north of Sydney, and have taken on ownership of my father's orchid collection. Dad has dementia and has had to move to a nursing home, I am currently in the process of clearing out his house. Anyway, he has two reasonable sized shadecloth-covered fernery setups for his orchids, plus more scattered throughout his garden. Due to his illness, he hasn't been able to care for his orchids for a few years now, to the point where many have become firmly "attached" by the roots to the wooden or wire platforms they sit on, or the roots have tangled many pots together.

My initial question relates to how I should move them ? Should I just pull them off whatever they are attached to ? Should I try to cut the roots carefully to get them off ? Any other tips ? I can't even tell you what type of orchids they are I will have to find a local Orchid Club / Society when I have time, but my immediate problem is moving the collection in the next 25 days (dad's house is sold, and settles in 25 days, the new owners move in then so I have to clear not just his orchid collection but the entire contents of his house by then so time is somewhat limited).

Anyway, attached are a few pics of the inside of one orchid enclosure. The ferns and weeds on the ground are covering many more orchids.

Thanks in advance for any tips !