Repot or not?

[The Orchid Kid]

I have number of orchids of various species with roots coming through the bottom of the pot. Some are just edging out, others have 3-4cm running along the outside of the base of the pot.

I know orchids like being pot bound a bit, so my question is how many roots running outside the pot is enough to tell me that the plant needs a repot?

[Laserbeak]

What kind of orchids? It may make a difference. If they're terrestrials like paphs, then definitely repot. But if they're Vandas, this is normal and you may not want to repot.

[The Orchid Kid]

None of my paphs are growing through.
The ones growing through are Laelia, Rossioglossum, Zygo, Psychopsis, Polystachya.

[jeremyinsf]

Paph's like to be re-potted regularly. I often see spikes shortly after I do a re-pot when it's been in the same one for a while.

[Laserbeak]

Originally Posted by The Orchid Kid

None of my paphs are growing through.
The ones growing through are Laelia, Rossioglossum, Zygo, Psychopsis, Polystachya.

With these, I think you should repot only if either the medium has gone bad or the base of the leaves/pseudobulbs have started really growing over the edge of the pot. Some root growth outside the pot is normal and healthy.