aerial root cutting on blc

[scerdena]

My aerial roots on my blc are approaching 3 feet in length and the plant is doing great. Is it okay to trim the roots? I am worried that my cat may decide to start nibbling and also, I grow the plant in my dining room so it does not look too good.

Thanks, Shirley

[dendro king]

I'd say as long as you don't cut all the roots of it will be fine! Cats are tough little guys!!

[james mickelso]

Secret.....cut one or two roots at a time. Let the cut roots heal a day or two before cutting another one or two. the orchid will thank you by growing more roots from the ones cut. More numerous roots closer to the pot. In nature, varmints scamper around and step on the orchids and branches fall across roots and break them off. The orchid just grows new ones to replace what has been broken. Orchid roots are no different than terrestrial plant roots in general. In bonsai I would take a 30 year old tree out of it's pot, take off all the old soil, trim off two thirds of the root mass, and repot it in new soil. Every three to five years. The tree grew more roots and grew better for it. Orchids are the same. Two foot root? Take off 1.5 feet of it. It will branch and grow more roots. To a point. Older pbulbs don't grow new roots per se. Their function has become that of storage vessel. Supporting the newer pbulbs.