Roots, roots and more roots

[Selmo]

These plants are in need of being divided/repoted and was wondering what the best way to get the roots detached from the bench.
Soaking them and trying to tease the roots loose from the wire and wood. Or, do I soak them and just cut them off at the bench? I would hate to remove all those good roots, but it would be much easier to cut them off and since we are going to repot anyway.
This is what happens when you don’t move the pot for a couple of years.

[Optimist]

Now, what I would do is to cut a hole in the hardware wire and take it out. I guess it is the story of King Solomon and the baby. What do you want, the roots, or the wire? I would choose the roots, because a 29$ roll of hardware wire is less than what could be valuable big orchids. Big orchids are worth hundreds. (That is also why I don't like all of this chopping up orchids called "dividing").

I'm not trying to be funny, but people often sacrifice their "mount" or pot for the orchid. To take an orchid out of the pot, you break the pot with a hammer. Similarly, to get an orchid out of a slat basket you bust up the basket.

That is my take on it.

[estación seca]

I would also cut the hardware cloth. Then I would spank myself so I don't do it again. Maybe even send myself to bed without supper.

[Fairorchids]

1. When plants are that well rooted, there is not much lost if you simply cut the roots.
2. I hate doing that myself, so if you want to release the majority of the roots:

Water well, several times.

Where a root starts to attach itself to the wood, press gently sideways with your fingers (or a small piece of wood with rounded edges), repeat as needed towards the tip of the root.

This will get roots off the wood, but in many cases there will be some tears (= pathway to possible infections). To avoid this, go back to step 1.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would also cut the hardware cloth. Then I would spank myself so I don't do it again. Maybe even send myself to bed without supper.

stop it, stop it. Now that's roots, holy cow what roots. How did it come out?