Den. Phalaenopsis, ready for repot?

[AngelinaMaria]

Here's a pic of my den phals roots coming out of the bottom of the pot it's in. Should I repot it? If so should I repot it in a clear pot as opposed to a black one like its in now? Do these roots look right? They were kinda dried out when I got it but once I watered it they looked better. Are they supposed to be white or green? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still pretty new to this. Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

Well, you don't have to repot unless the plant has grown so much to a point that there's almost no room left in its pot. You could still repot if you want.

Those roots shown in your pictre look dead to me, but I could be wrong. Grab one when the roots are completely dry and give a slight twist. If it easily break off, then it's dead. If it doesn't, then it's most likely alive.
Dead roots also feel quite light and hollow while live roots feel firm to the touch.

Live roots are white with green tip (only if it is actively growing). White portion gets stained or somehow change color and take on a slight tannish, brownish color over time. Sometimes too dark that one might think it is dead but often still alive.

When live roots are still white, they turn green when watered and wet.

If they are green even when dry, that's usually green algae of some sort growing on them, which doesn't harm the roots.

[AngelinaMaria]

The roots aren't dried out, when I water it they do turn a bit green (when i took this pic it was right before i watered it, i should have waited.) A few that are coming out of the bottom of the pot have been broken from handling but otherwise the roots seem firm. Thanks for the help!

[Bloomin_Aussie]

It's fine as-is. These type love having their roots confined. Actually I find they resent being potted in anything larger. I wouldn't repot until you have new shoots emerging that are already outside the edge of the pot, and then only go up to the next pot size.

[AngelinaMaria]

Ok. So what about watering? This is potted in lava rock...does this plant like to dry out before being watered or does it like to stay damp?

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Through the growing season you should keep it well watered if it is in purely lava rock. In winter it depends what the temperature will drop to. If you can keep the temps above 15 degrees Celcius (59F) then just a lessening of water in winter is OK.

Where I live, we can get down to 2 degrees C (~36F) and I have had multiple recommendations to keep mine bone dry from the time the temperatures drop in Autumn. It was suggested I only start to water again once new growth was visible. I have done this for the last 2 years and not had an issue. I'll admit to a slight root misting on the warmer days just to prevent the bulbs shrivelling too much, but they really don't need much water if they aren't actively growing.

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[NYCorchidman]

The roots turn greenish when wet and feel firm, then they are most likely alive.

Assuming that your dendrobium is getting strong light as it should, a pot that small and lava rock (which is fast draining and does not hold much moisture at all), I would water everyday. at least every other day.

Many of the dendrobiums coming from Hawaii are potted in lava rock, which is readily available there.
And Hawaii is warm and humid. works well in Hawaii.

Most of the commonly sold hobby orchids do not tolerate "damp" condition. You're looking at root rot in no time that way.

Dendrobium tolerate "mois" condition perfectly fine as long as the drainage is perfect and it is actively growing under strong light and enough warmth.

Cold and wet and almost always a disaster.

One word about potting orchids in a smallest possible size pot....No orchids "like" their roots to be bound. If you don't believe me, just take a look at some online image of how orchids grow in nature.
They have all the space available for their roots to spread in all direction and any length they want.

The idea of potting orchids in a smallest pot possible or as many people say, "they like their roots bound" stem from us growers point of view.
With smaller pot, things dry out faster and you can avoid root rot from overwatering.

I grow many of my orchids in big pots. As long as you take care to use very open potting mix, the size of pot does not matter. Orchids doesn't like their roots bound.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Yes, that's probably more accurate... larger pot means it will stay damp in the middle of the mix longer, and it isn't always easy to tell how much moisture is staying in the mix in such circumstances.

What I was getting at though is all they really need is something to anchor into and a little bit of moisture retention. They will send out exploratory roots looking for extra moisture or nutrients but I don't see a reason to contain them. Personally I would rather keep them in small pots and water frequently than in a large pot and risk over watering.