Pot Arial roots?

[Jenna376]

I whent to repot a phal I have and the stem was all dried out. The only roots left were arial roots. Quite a few. So I just pitted those. Good idea? Or NO? It was only 2 days ago so i can fix it if needed.

[greenpassion]

Can you send a picture so we have a better idea of what we're looking at? And what did you repot this into?

[Jenna376]

I potted it in miracle grow Orchid mix that I soaked overnight after sifting out as much peat moss as I could.. there were about 5 air roots that I potted in a plastic pot with slits in it. I didnt pack it in real tight either...i can't post a pick cause I really don't know which one it was I repoted all of them. I have 8. I honestly have really neglected them, they were all in bad shape, wich i didn't realize it until finding this site. I had them all in regular ceramic pots.

[rbarata]

Aerial roots grow adapted to grow in the air. Putting them under the medium will probably kill them.
What I see here is a good opportunity to mount it.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Jenna376

I potted it in miracle grow Orchid mix that I soaked overnight after sifting out as much peat moss as I could.. there were about 5 air roots that I potted in a plastic pot with slits in it. I didnt pack it in real tight either...i can't post a pick cause I really don't know which one it was I repoted all of them. I have 8. I honestly have really neglected them, they were all in bad shape, wich i didn't realize it until finding this site. I had them all in regular ceramic pots.

I'm in agreement with Rbarata about not trying to get air roots to be in the potting mix.
Roots won't adapt to a new environment unless they are in a growth period. As far as your potting mix, I personally don't use that. It's way to much like dirt, and can easily smother the roots.
If you can, pick up some Orchiata, medium to large grade, or some other chunky bark mix, and repot them using that, into clear plastic pots with lots of aeration slits or holes in the sides and bottom.
It's really important to allow the roots to have air circulation around them. The bark mixes and the Orchiata are easily purchased on line,. Google it. Your plants will thank you for it.

[Jenna376]

Thank for advice

[aliceinwl]

I had a couple of Phals I was rehabbing for a friend. They had nothing but air roots. I put those in the media when I repotted and they’re doing fine. 6 months in and the roots are actively growing with no apparent death and one plant is growing a new leaf.

I potted some air roots on one of my Phals too, when I messed up and killed most of the in pot roots a couple of years ago. Those roots adapted fine to being in the bark too.

Maybe if you switch to a really heavy media like moss or something really different like semi hydroponic they have trouble? But, so far, mine have done fine going from air to bark (or from moss to bark). I am careful about moisture levels and try not to over or under water. I recommend the skewer method (sticky thread at the top of the page) when you’re learning.

[camille1585]

I have to say that in my years of growing Phals (in pure bark) I've had very little issues when putting air roots in the medium when I repot, Though I never put the super long ones in. It may have to do with the fact that I grow my Phals a bit on the dry side, so the ex air roots aren't in a completely damp environment all the time