What about these roots?

[patlee]

I've got a slight problem here. In the past year or so my largest phal has developed roots that are two to three feet long. Someone at an AOS meeting (Beginners Corner) said that I should soak it so that the roots could be wound up into the new pot and not break. Sounds like a good enough plan, but how long can I soak the plant (and the roots) before I have to worry about it getting water-logged? If I were to soak it overnight would it be in danger of developing crown-rot? Do I submerge only to the top of the medium--Almost at the last question, do I take it out of its pot or leave it with some support? The roots are all over the place---and some are well above the potting medium.

[PhalPal]

Aerial roots are largely genetic and in some phals impossible to contain. I don't worry about them and really have never seen the need to get them back into the medium. They have grown accustomed to less moisture out in the open and probably would die if you placed them in soil.

My suggestion? Leave them alone or move it to a vanda basket.

[WIB]

I also don't see the point of getting the roots inside the pot. Once a root goes into the air it becomes an aerial root, coated with velamen. There's no percentage in tucking it back into the medium. In general, if orchid roots are soaked in lukewarm water for half an hour, they'll soften and bend a little more easily, but in this case I don't think there's a point to tucking aerial roots back into the medium.

[slippery_biscuit]

I've a Phal that after two years of mostly blooming has finally run its course. Looking pretty ragged when I cut off the stalk. Pulled it and repotted, 'cept I potted it quite high. There were a couple of new roots starting and I'm keeping them out in the air. Soon I hope it will be on a grapewood stick and I'll be very happy if those roots get to 24".

[tizzycat]

my phals all have lots of air roots, I think I would leave well alone.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The only exception to the advice above would be if these were the only roots, then you would want to decide if you want to grow it in a pot with the once every several day watering, or you want a plant that is essentially mounted (all roots in air) and have to water/mist every day. I am guessing you have plenty of roots in the pot tho. I generally make it a habit to nudge the roots potward to avoid air roots, as air roots make an awkward plant to find room for.