Removing orchid from soil to s/h

[10acgal]

Hello, newbie here. I recently purchased a dendrobium kingianum that had been potted in potting soil. It needed a repot badly and I also saw some small black bugs in the top of the soil so I decided to go ahead and put it in s/h. The problem is I cannot get all the potting soil out of the roots. I currently have it soaking trying to loosen it up but after an hour it still is not coming clean. I've never dealt with potting soil before, just bark or moss. What will happen if I put it in s/h and it still has the soil? Will it cause rotting? Help!

[flowerpower]

I am new to semi-hydro too. Do you have a hosepipe or even run it under the tap? Sometimes a bit of pressure can help. With some of mine it was impossible to get 100% clean even using tweezers. I have found semi-hydro tends to continuously clean and irrigate the roots due to the flushing of pots/inorganic media used. But with bugs involved it's best to take the time to get as much out as you can. Although I do appreciate how difficult it can be as I have recently been doing some.

[Ray]

After soaking, under running warmish water, use your fingers to remove as much of the old medium as possible. Yes, you will damage the roots, but if you're careful, it won't be too bad.

It is not essential ro remove 100% of the old medium, but the more, the better.

[Tindomul]

Gonna say the same thing. What's left over you can eventually flush it out with time from the S/H pot.

[10acgal]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I worked on it for most of the morning and got all but what was trapped behind the top part of the roots. They were so bound together it was really impossible. So I'd say I got at least 95% of it out. I ended up using the massage setting on the shower head in the bathroom. Was able to loosen most of it up that way. Also I used a soft toothbrush and tweezers! What a job! They say this is a forgiving and easy plant to grow - we will see!