Lodged roots... trying to repot a phal

[peeper]

Hello!

I'm trying to repot a phal that I have, and it has put on some serious root growth. I didn't repot it when I bought it a few months ago, I know, Bad Girl! But over the past few months, this little girl just sorta threw this root out and it came back into the pot threw a side hole. It's literally squeezed itself through and it looks like I would have to cut the root off to repot. This is a LIVE root, I'm wondering, I've never cut live roots, is this going to devestate the plant? I know that it desparately needs to be repotted, so it has to be done, I'm just curious as to how much effect is this going to have, and what is the best way to do this?

Thanks!





She's a mess!!

[Phal grower]

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I've gone a little overboard trimming healthy roots to get them in a new pot and never killed one yet. That said, you should try to save as many roots a possible I think to keep the plant in top shape. Good luck

[peeper]

thank you!

She's next in line! There will be an after pic!

[Bud]

Its just the tip of the root...not even half an inch trimming...make a paste with water and cinnamon powder...then dab the cut...wet the pot well and make sure the root clinging on the clay is eased out with a plastic knife

[silken]

Or... break the pot!! But I think cutting the root will be fine.

[tucker85]

You must be giving that phal excellent care for it to grow big healthy roots like that. Phals seem to be more tolerant of repotting than many other orchids. Like everyone else said, you can trim the roots that you need to and leave as many as possible. It should be fine. Good luck.

[zxyqu]

I think you've gotta break the pot. No need to cull a really great root just because you want to save a 2-4 buck clay pot. I'd try my best to save it, and only cut it as a last resort.

[peeper]

well, I didn't break the pot, but I did, on accident, break the root. yeah, it snapped. *sigh* but alas, all but about 2 roots were the picture of health!

So dispite me breaking off that beautiful root... I figure this will be a successful repot! Thank you all for your help and advice!

My Camera decided that I needed to charge the battery, I'll have to show the damage that I, unintentionally, did.

[peeper]

And thank you Tucker, I try!