Quote:
Originally Posted by howze01
I have this Phal in the little plastic brown pot it came in and want to repot it. However, the roots are grown into and attached to the pot. What's the best way to repot it? I was thinking breaking the pot up may be the best way. How do I get the roots off of the pot without hurting them? Will attach a picture of it. Thanks in advance!
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Hi!
I would first drench the medium to soften the roots...including those outside the pot. I would then try to use a clean fingernail to tease the external roots outside the pot away from the pot. I would then--tho this requires care and controlled touch---heat an old knife on a gas flame and, carefully use it to burn shallow, vertical openings around the perimeter of the pot, perhaps 3, trying to make sure you do not hit the roots inside. This with the goal of being able to remove the sections one by one. You will naturally also need to burn openings 90 degrees to the verticals at the bottom of the pot.
Then, I would use the same fingernail (or any other of yr choice, lol) to gently dislodge internal roots clinging to the inside of the pot sections.
With clay pots that jammed, and with roots adhering inside, I do the same, but just hit them with a hammer; they shatter so perfectly. I then keep the clay pieces in my drainage material bin for future use.
Wet roots are fear less likely to fracture than dry ones.
But, if you loose a couple anyhow....no biggie. I sometimes trim roots. If the plant is healthy and the new medium is well chosen.....there is not downside.
Repotting a Phalaenopsis philipinensis
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