Just thought I’d post my favorite orchid’s crazy aerial root system. They’re out of control and I don’t know what to do with them, to be honest. Should I wait to cut them back when it’s done flowering? The problem is this orchid is always flowering.
I want to kokedama it eventually, sometime in the near future. That’s the only reason I’m considering cutting the aerial roots.
This is my favorite orchid plant and one my grandma got me a few years ago. As her health deteriorates, it’s become even more special to me. I don’t want to hurt it, so please let me know the safest way to cut these roots, aside from sterile scissors.
Should I just do a kokedama with the roots sticking out? 🤔
by tleyd93
8 Comments
Yes, I would kokedama it with the roots sticking out instead of cutting them off in an effort to not stress it any more than it will already due to the repot. Most Phals I’ve repotted have dead roots at the bottom/center of the pot, and some aerial roots will fit just fine in the new kokedama bundle. Once acclimated then yeah I would consider chopping some of them off but I’d come up with a plan to guide the new roots into or around the bundle to avoid the medusa roots. Good luck!
“The problem is this orchid is always flowering” right in front of my orchid??
Na cut nothing. Hang it maybe.
Repot time
Do most people keep these roots? Some of mine are starting to look disheveled and I hope that isn’t how it’s meant to be kept.
The orchid is doing very well as is. As it is growing now, Kokedame will not benefit the orchid. Removing the aerial roots should really only be done if they are desiccated or diseased.
A great solution may be to mount the orchid on a vertical slab of cork bark with moss and bark held in place with monofilament or nylon panty hose. Make that transition when new roots are actively growing.
Am I the only one who likes aerial roots? 😅 I always think they look so cool flowing out of the pot and down whatever table etc they’re on, especially attached to such a healthy happy plant.
Looks like he’s sitting