What would you do?

[NBAMA]

This phal is in a metal basket that is lined with coir and filled with sphag. It needs to be re-potted but do I cut the basket (which I don't want to do) to keep all the roots on the phal or do I do surgery on the roots and just cut what I have to cut to remove this plant? I like the basket and would like to keep it so I am trying to get encouragement from other "geeks" to cut the roots because the phal is healthy and will survive. C'mon folks help me make this decision.

[Emma Grey]

Can't you tease the roots out of the basket without cutting the basket or harming the roots?

[NBAMA]

I really wish that I could. Some of these roots are crossed over each other as many as five times and they are huge!

[Leafmite]

Soak the phal well to make the roots more flexible, then give it a try. If you do end up cutting roots, it is best to let them dry a bit so they have a chance to heal. I really hate to damage roots but fortunately, a phal isn't as fussy as some other orchids. Maybe after the roots heal, you could use a rooting hormone or seaweed extract to encourage new root growth.
Leafmite

[NBAMA]

I tried soaking it but these roots are so intertwined and some feel as though they have attached themselves to the other roots. I have only two options, cut the roots or cut the basket! I don't want to cut the basket because I have another species phal that personally asked for that spot when I move the one that is currently in it up to a larger size. If I decide to cut the metal basket, does anyone know where I can purchase another?

[terry_sealey]

Cut the roots. They will recover but the basket will not.

[jpyerry]

Personally, I would cut the basket. You can always buy a new liner, if you look around you can get them pretty cheap. If that is not an option, I guess you can cut the roots. I just really wouldn't want to, the plant would most likely recover but you might set it back a bit. There is always the option of just leaving the plant as is, it looks pretty happy in that basket, if the media has gone stale you could just replace the media without taking it out of the basket. A word of caution, you don't mention what the plant is beyond being a Phalaenopsis, some species within the Phalaenopsis genus really dislike having their roots disturbed, Phal. gigantea comes to mind but I am sure there are others. While I personally would not want to cut a healthy root, the decision is ultimately yours.

Justin

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jpyerry

Personally, I would cut the basket.

Me too.

[katrina]

I wouldn't cut the metal basket but I would sacrifice the coco liner since they are easily replaced. I would soak the whole thing for several hours...in warm-ish water. That might mean refilling the soak to keep the water on the warm-ish side. After a good long soak, I would try to lift the whole thing out of the metal basket...untangling the roots as best as I could during the lifting. What couldn't be untangled would be cut.

Once the plant and liner is out of the metal basket....I wouldn't worry about getting all the liner off the roots but would cut it in areas to allow access to the sphag and easier removal of that.

I think trying to cut a metal basket is going to cause damage to the roots anyway...not to mention it would be a major PITA.

I've had to cut roots for various reasons...it's not my first choice but sometimes it's necessary. They always bounce back just fine.

[Daethen]

The picture you provided makes it look like the plant could be easily removed. I would try to tease the roots out. If it won't, I would probably cut the basket. It sounds as though you plan to cut the roots reguardless. If you do, I would NOT put another phal in it just so that it has to go through the same trauma in the future.

[syndywindy]

I don't think I would cut the basket, seems a bit difficult. But I do think if you soaked well for several hours, those roots would be pliable enough and you could pull the plant and liner out gently helping the roots along.

[Leafmite]

I have to agree that I wouldn't put another orchid in the basket unless you use a permanent medium like lava rock so the trauma isn't repeated. Roots should only be cut if all else fails or if they are dead. Cutting healthy roots leave an orchid vulnerable to disease as it provides an entry point and stresses the plant, weakening natural defenses. That is why if you do cut roots, you must let the roots dry and heal. The more roots you can avoid cutting, the less you will stress the orchid. The basket is very nice and could be used for decorating purposes. If it is steel, any water that gains entrance will cause the basket to rust, anyway, and, over time, it always seems to happen. Good luck and hope you let us know the result. Leafmite

[orchids4me]

Boy it sure looks happy in that basket set up
I would do what synda and katrina said and deathen said it too
I'd try not risk losing or hurting the roots. Another option...get the same basket but a larger one with liner and put this one right inside. But if the sphag moss center is the issue long tweezers or forceps pull it the sphag out... But again what ever care your giving it in this set up it looks fabulous ! Happy and healthy !!

[terra_australis]

If you're just talking about those aerial roots in the picture I wouldn't worry about them too much. Cut the roots. You'd likely end up damaging more roots trying to cut the basket apart anyway.

[dounoharm]

cut the roots, they wont mind that much....gl

[PaulB]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

If you're just talking about those aerial roots in the picture I wouldn't worry about them too much. Cut the roots. You'd likely end up damaging more roots trying to cut the basket apart anyway.

I agree. It may take some time, like unraveling tangled fishing line, but will work out with minimal clipping of the roots. Just dab the cut ends with a bit of cinnamon.

[zaeem]

NBAMA,
Thanks.I would not cut roots or force it out.The coir etc seems to be fine NOT rotted just place the Basket with all in a bigger Basket with large mix and water carefully,the roots will find new mix to spread itself.How is the plant otherwise? Healthy?