Phally, very long roots. Can they be cut?

[headbanger333]

Hello all,
I am repotting a mature phally for a friend, but the many roots hanging outside the pot are verging on a half a metre long. Can they be cut to a manageable length and maybe wrangled back into the growing medium? Advice on exactly what I should do would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Headbanger 333.

[fishmom]

I would avoid cutting roots if at all possible. When I have excess roots (not really a problem very often!) my tactic is to twist the plant around to twine the roots into the pot. I think of it as "screwing the plant into the pot". You can get a lot of roots into a small space this way!

I never hesitate to fit air roots into the medium if I can manage it. If your medium is sufficiently airy, they will be fine.

[headbanger333]

Many thanks, I will do as you suggest.

[jcec1]

I would also soak the roots first to make them more pliable.

[rbarata]

Or you can let them dry.

[fishmom]

Definitely soak the whole plant in a bucket first!

[Roberta]

When I hear "cut" and "roots" in the same sentence, I cringe. Especially healthy roots. (Look up " Procrustean bed", that is what I think of.) Do as Fishmom says. There is no such thing as "too many roots" if they are healthy... they just need to be accommodated. The plant wants and needs them.

[headbanger333]

Thanks all. Repotting done successfully. The screwing procedure worked well, but took many frustrating attempts! As the saying goes...if a job is worth doing it is worth doing well.
Headbanger333

[estación seca]

Also... they don't need to go into the pot. They grew out in the air because they felt better that way.