Prune which roots?

[agentmccool]

So I just bought a beautiful phal., and it has some aerial roots sticking out. They're thick and white, not mushy at all. What should I do with them? Cut them off? Put them under the soil when I repot it? Leave them alone?

[WhiteRabbit]

You shouldn't cut them - they are good roots, and they don't need to be put in pot either. You can just leave them alone - they are happy as they are

[Zoi2]

Aerial roots collect moisture in the air.
Joann

[Blueszz]

I agree, leave them alone
Even if you would force them in the pot, they might wander out again. The plant knows what it needs. Roots in the medium or above it.
BTW there is no such thing is aerial roots in a Phalaenopsis. In situ, the plant uses the roots to hold itself to a tree and to collect nutrients and moisture.
Often we use the name "aerial" roots to differentiate the roots above the medium from the roots in the medium, but fact is they are the same roots. On thing might differ. Phal's adapt the structure of roots to the medium they grow in (the medium could be air too ). Some have a thicker velamen than others and their might also other differences that I'm not aware of.

Nicole

[RosieC]

I agree they should be left alone. I spray the arial roots when I water (I don't spray leaves or flowers just the arial roots). They absorbe some water that way to add to what they get from the air.