out growing

[herfy]

I have a phal that as taken off in S/h. It has been in S/h for about 6 months.It has grown airel roots out the wazoo.

question is when i repot it can/should i submerge the new roots down in the hydroton?





Should i use a bigger pot when i repot?

Thanks

[Becca]

When you repot I would not put the areal roots into the LECA. They are not adapted to the culture and will more then likely die off if you do. It doesn't look like to me it is ready for repotting. It doesn't appear that many roots are in the s/h. I would wait and let the new roots that are growing into the medium become more established and grow further into it. You shouldn't need to repot it for a while with s/h, only when the roots look like they are going to burst out of the pot!

[Pilot]

I agree with Becca-- though the aerial roots may die off in the hydroton, I simply wouldn't worry about them going into the medium or not-- your phal will always grow aerials, whether it is round bound or not.

And it doesn't look like the pot is overly full to me either. 6 months isn't enough time to fill a pot like this. Several of my phals that have been in their s/h pots just under a year have yet to fill their pots though they have been thriving in general. Although, some have already started to mal-form their pots.

Just let it be

[Ray]

Many will think this is crazy, but I'd put the plant in an 8" pot, planted to the same depth it is now. In fairly short order, those aerial roots will redirect themselves into the medium.

[shadytrake]

I've found that my Phals like square or rectangular shorter s/h pots. I get them at the dollar store. The tall cylinder ones tend to make them top heavy. Also the square ones give them a little more room to spread their roots. I have some pictures that I can post after the camera batteries recharge for download.

[Gin]

Wow good growing ! I would leave it alone looking good .

[grasshopper]

shadytrake -

Please post pics of your plants. I am interested to see what your containers look like. I'm always looking for new S/H container ideas!

[johnblagg]

I have to agree with ray on the roots would dig in if in a bigger pot all on their own,but Gin has a point in that it is looking good as is and the pot does not look like its so full of roots that it needs a bigger pot yet.

I would probably go with Ray on this one though and go up on pot size.... but I wolud leave the long areial roots hanging as they are and not try forcing them into the pot. I personaly like the way they look growing out into the air