New roots and repotting - Orchid Board

DaytripperEleanor · #1 08-03-2020, 01:34 PM

Hello! I recently repotted my Phals and I should have asked this question before doing so *face palm* but oh well! I am a beginner and am learning.

I brought some of my Phals back to life a bit after repotting them a year ago. The one in the attached picture's new roots and new leaves are the result of repotting it a year ago. As you can see, its original system is not the greatest (at least to my novice eye).

I repotted this little buddy so its new roots are still above the potting medium. But now I am worried that because the really good, healthy roots are above the potting medium that the Phal won't be getting enough water/nutrients. I do a light misting of my orchids once a day, but that's not the same as a good watering, I imagine.

My questions are:
1) Should I have tried to get the new roots under the potting medium?
2) If I should have done that, how soon can I repot again?
3) For that long root in the picture that is missing part of its membrane - should I have cut that off? I have heard conflicting information on this. One source said cut off any roots that don't have the membrane on it anymore, the other source said keep roots even if they don't have their membrane because it is still a functioning root. I repotted it as shown in this picture because I removed the part of the membrane that was obviously not retaining water anymore, but I kept the remaining part because it was still firm and seemed to be in good shape still. I figured may as well keep it on than take it off!

Thanks!