Phalaenopsis with visable roots

[Jirel]

Hello all, I am very new to Orchids - bought my first ones Tuesday at a sale to benefit breast cancer but have admired them for years. My question is, several of the new plants (I bought 6) have roots extending over and out of the "pots" (plastic cups) that they are growing in. Does that indicate that when they finish blooming I should repot them? If so, then if a plant has just one root should it still be repotted or does it need to have several out and over the plant?

I will try to answer most of my questions via reading the old posts so as not to be asking the same things over and over. I run a Rose forum over on Delphi and I know that reading old posts is often where the best information can be found.

[articuno75]

Hi Jirel and welcome to the forum!!!

Visible roots, or aerial roots, are good . What I worry about is the "plastic cups" that they are in. Are there holes in the bottom for good drainage? If not, then I recommend an immediate repot for all of them so that the roots do not rot.

There is plenty of information here on the forum and if you can't find what you need the members are more than happy to help you out.

We can't wait to see the pics of your newly acquired collection.

[evagentry]

Hello Jirel, wecome to the forum, there have been many posts like your so I'm sure with your experience you'll find the information you need.

[mayres]

We have a grower in my area that has all his plants (in multiple genera) growing in clear plastic cups - I can see where it is quite the economical solution. As the plants mature they will most likely need repotting into something a little larger. Air roots are part of what makes phals - phals. The oldest plant I have probably has the most. Of course in the wild phals grow on trees - and they are always sending out new roots to find more bark to grab onto and to increase their surface area for soaking up nutrients as the rain drains along the trunk/branches of the trees. Whether or not your plant should be repotted will have little to do with the number of air roots - more to do with the condition of the media the other roots are in and the condition of those roots. Many of us who have been growing phals for awhile have our favorite media that we use and we automatically repot soon after acquiring in order to inspect the roots and aclimate the plant to our culture habits. In the case of a newbie growing orchids the chances are you are OK as is for some time. If you have any further questions you migth include a picture and also inspect the media and roots. Enjoy! mike

[Jirel]

I'm at home and now I have pictures!! Most of the orchids were not labeled. I have one with a name - Everspring Light and I copied a label with a crossing from one that was sold to someone else at work, it seems to apply to two orchids that look slightly different in color. Than there are three that are unlabled.

They can all be seen here -okay, I can't post the url to my set on flickr. If you go to flickr com and search for the user Jirel, you will find a set titled Orchids. That has my 6 brand new orchids in it.

However, I have one plant with a discolored leaf - here's a picture:
The picture of the discolored leaf that I was going to post "here" is also in that set.

Is this normal aging?

[mayres]

sorry - can't find your pics on flickr - after a few more posts you can post your pics here - I think you only need 5 posts now to attach a pic.

[Jirel]

Yes, 5 is the number. I hate making useless posts but I may have to.

[Jirel]

Okay, now for links and photos!

Here's the set - Orchids - a photoset on Flickr

And here is the picture of the visable roots -

[Jirel]

I'm sorry, I almost forgot - the leaf that I think may or may not be normal aging: