Cutting Roots...

[Jenn]

Hello gang!

I have a question about repotting various orchids.

When you repot a Phal and spot dead roots, I know you are supposed to cut them back. However, do you cut just the dead part off if only half the root is rotten, or do you cut the whole thing from the base?

If you discover while repotting that an Oncidium has become so entwined with old moss medium that even soaking wont' help, what do you do? Just leave it alone? I had this happen to one of my Oncs that I was repotting last week. I know moss is not the best medium for those guys, but I plead ignorance! I repotted into bark, but there is still a wad of 2 year-old moss around the roots that I just can't get out without destroying the root system. I guess just let it be and hope for the best? Also, with Oncs, do they like to be slightly root bound like Dens do?

Thanks!

[kiki-do]

Hi Jenn, I can only help with a couple questions. When cutting roots on a phal, only cut the part that is black or mushy. Leave all that isn't bad, even if it's connected to the rotten part. That is how I was taught, anyway.
On the Oncidium, when you took it out of the pot and took off most of the moss, did you then soak the bare roots in water to loosen the rest of the moss? (That's how I do it). Or did you just soak it in the pot beforehand? I think it's best to try and get all the old moss out as best you can without much damage to the roots. Not sure about the rootbound question.

[quiltergal]

I agree with Kiki. You're going to end up with some root loss either way. If you leave the moss on the roots will eventually rot, if you pick it off there is bound to be some breakage. I guess my preference would be breakage. Broken roots will branch and carry on. Rotten roots have only one option and it's not good.

[Jenn]

Thanks gals.

For the problematic Onc... I did remove as much old moss as possible and then soak. Even with the soaking, most of it wouldn't budge. I was facing ripping the majority of the roots off if I were to get the old moss out. What happened was someone decided to repot the orchid into a bigger pot without removing the old moss and packed more fresh moss around it to fill in the pot space. I've had it for a couple years assuming that all was well "underground" so to speak until I found the mess that I did last weekend!!

[Ray]

I recommend a slightly different approach to phalaenopsis root trimming: trim just enough of the good root to be sure all of the rotting tissue is removed. Then let the wound air dry for a day or dip the cut end only in cinnamon powder before repotting.

I think it's better to remove any infected part, and quite often, such trimming will induce root branching, so the plant will get reestablished faster.