Aerial roots galore on Phaleanopsis! What to do?

[swcheng15]

I've had this orchid for several years, and every year it's bloomed except for this year. As you can see, it has tons of aerial, probably due to me not repotting it for years. The leaves are getting brown, and they are smaller than they were when I got the plant several years ago. Any thoughts on what to do?

I'm also suspecting there's too much light for the leaves (I posted another thread asking about that), but am asking in this thread about the roots. Thanks!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The light could be dialed back a little bit.

Aerial roots look a bit dehydrated, but otherwise is fine. The more roots the stronger the plant.

It's not blooming season yet, although it is possible that the spike could develop soon if it hasn't already. If it doesn't bloom this year, it could still bloom next year.

[Paphluvr]

Too much light and in serious need of a repot. I never like to see that much of the old stem exposed (where the older leaves have fallen off). And I think I have to disagree with The King of Orchid Growing. It should be in bloom right now. Did it see a winter temperature differential between night and day temps?

[swcheng15]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

Too much light and in serious need of a repot. I never like to see that much of the old stem exposed (where the older leaves have fallen off). And I think I have to disagree with The King of Orchid Growing. It should be in bloom right now. Did it see a winter temperature differential between night and day temps?

Thanks for your info. Yes, I've had my other ones flower already, because for me, typically they start in December.

How would I repot all the roots? That's where I'm confused because they are mostly aerial roots. Do I cut them back? I will say we've had some interesting temperatures, but not within a day. We'd had colder weather but the house temperature has been the same. Our heater hasn't worked this whole winter so it's been between 60-65s, even during the day (on the cold days).

[aliceinwl]

With the symptoms you describe, its in pot roots may be dead. If you’re potting into an open mix like bark, the air roots will be fine buried. Just get a pot big enough to accommodate them when you repot. Soaking beforehand will decrease root breakage.

[Roberta]

Don't cut those aerial roots! They are likely the only good roots on the plant. After soaking (as Alice suggested) if they are still not flexible, try for a pot where you can perhaps coax some of them into the medium, but let the rest stay free in the air. With an open medium (like large bark) you can (should) water more often, so there will be humidity reaching any roots that are still in the air.

[swcheng15]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

With the symptoms you describe, its in pot roots may be dead. If you’re potting into an open mix like bark, the air roots will be fine buried. Just get a pot big enough to accommodate them when you repot. Soaking beforehand will decrease root breakage.

Thanks! They were definitely some dead roots in there, but some healthy ones as well. I'll need to find a much taller pot to get the roots in. Thanks for the soaking tip!

---------- Post added at 12:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Don't cut those aerial roots! They are likely the only good roots on the plant. After soaking (as Alice suggested) if they are still not flexible, try for a pot where you can perhaps coax some of them into the medium, but let the rest stay free in the air. With an open medium (like large bark) you can (should) water more often, so there will be humidity reaching any roots that are still in the air.

Thanks, Roberta! I appreciate your help. Maybe I'll attack it this weekend when I have time to find a taller pot to accommodate the roots. I think that's why I never repotted...I never found a larger pot. But now I'll have to be more diligent about finding one.

[Roberta]

With large bark, that plant could be happy in a 1 gallon pot (roughly 6 inches in diameter by 7 inches tall) My Home Depot carries them, yours probably does too. So no need to go to any great effort or expense to find one. They also usually are well drained, with large holes.

[swcheng15]

Originally Posted by Roberta

With large bark, that plant could be happy in a 1 gallon pot (roughly 6 inches in diameter by 7 inches tall) My Home Depot carries them, yours probably does too. So no need to go to any great effort or expense to find one. They also usually are well drained, with large holes.

Thanks for the tip, Roberta. Are you talking about those black one gallon pots that some times come with plants? Not clear, right?

[aliceinwl]

I could be mistaken, but I think Roberta is talking about the terra cotta pots with the extra holes in the sides. These are usually sold as orchid pots. The Home Depot and Lowe’s by me both carry them. They often have fancier glazed versions inside near the house plants too.