Spider Phal is now a snake
 

Almost a year ago:

http://i.imgur.com/MJYEE9i.jpg

Today:

http://i.imgur.com/aCtcFNe.jpg

In the second pic, the part of the root that you see isn't even coming straight from the base of the plant. It goes down into the pot, and then comes back up over the side.

Aerial roots are typical on Phals. As long as the tip stays green and doesn't get damaged it will continue to grow.

How deep is the plastic pot? There doesn't seem to be very much potting mix in it.

My Phals does that too..I just let them be. They seem happier that way anyways. :biggrin:

some phals just seem to like growing roots all over the place, its better than too little roots :)

I've just never seen a root that size before, compared to the rest of the plant! :lol:

Based upon my own observations of plants in the wild, plus when drastically over potting them, I have concluded that aerial roots are "guy wires" that the plant is sending out in an effort to mechanically secure itself.

In nature, phals will have literally meters and meters of roots spread out on the tree limbs. If you consider the large, floppy leaves that grow from a relatively small base, wind can be a real problem. By sending out roots from a little higher up, those roots can anchor the plant, securing the "sails" from tearing it off the tree and dumping it on the ground.