Air Roots & Repooting ?

[rich63]

I have acquired a large Richard Mueller cross Bl.Petite Stars ( Bl. Richard Mueller x L. rubescens) that is currently in a basket with very long air roots. These roots are almost 3 feet long. I want to change it over into a potted plant. It currently is in bud, so I will have to wait for awhile before I do so. The question is what do I do with all of these air roots? Cut most of them or all of them? There are normal roots I can see inside the basket. I did bundle the air roots so they wouldn't get tangled up on my shelving or other plants for now. Thank You, Rich

[coeruleo]

that's a ton of roots! wish i could make a suggestion, but i avoid plants like this, because i'm not sure what to do with all the roots. i did get a vanda recently and i want to cut the roots back, but have not decided to go a head and so it yet...

[panam]

Holy cow! That's just too funny. I think Angela cuts roots back with no problem - is that right, Angela?

[Katherine]

You plant is very happy in the net pot. if you are wanting to tri the roots, i believe you can cut them back to about 4 inches. This is closer to how they grow naturally and potting it leaves you open to all sorts of disease and rot. but if you insist ...You will have to cut the basket from the plant and see what is inside, and if you sufficient roots in the pot you can cut most of the long roots off. Dust with cinnamon, and pot.

[rich63]

First off, this plant was grown in a greenhouse where there was plenty of room for this plant to grow all these roots. I do not have that much space, or have a greenhouse to grow this plant the way it was being grown. I grow under T-5 lights, so I will not be able to give this plant the lighting requirements that it needs if it stays in this basket. I have repotted many Cattleya from basket to basket over the years while in lived in Florida. I never had a plant that had this many air roots before. The cinnamon on the roots, I will not do. I know better. That will cause way more issues and cause many good healthy roots to die. I will wait to hear from some other members who have deal with this situation before. I know that many of these air roots will have to go and this plant will have to adjust to the new potting after it is out of bloom. As they say "good things come to those who wait" I'm in no hurry to radically change this plants growing environment till it is out of bloom. I'm sure that being stuck in a box for 1000 mile trip and not being in its old home, is enough change at this time that this plant needs right now. I'm just happy to see the first two buds open up without blasting! Have Fun, Rich

[Katherine]

First off, this plant was grown in a greenhouse where there was plenty of room for this plant to grow all these roots. I do not have that much space, or have a greenhouse to grow this plant the way it was being grown. I grow under T-5 lights, so I will not be able to give this plant the lighting requirements that it needs if it stays in this basket. I have repotted many Cattleya from basket to basket over the years while in lived in Florida. I never had a plant that had this many air roots before. The cinnamon on the roots, I will not do. I know better. That will cause way more issues and cause many good healthy roots to die. I will wait to hear from some other members who have deal with this situation before. I know that many of these air roots will have to go and this plant will have to adjust to the new potting after it is out of bloom. As they say "good things come to those who wait" I'm in no hurry to radically change this plants growing environment till it is out of bloom. I'm sure that being stuck in a box for 1000 mile trip and not being in its old home, is enough change at this time that this plant needs right now. I'm just happy to see the first two buds open up without blasting! Have Fun, Rich

I guess none of us knew that you recently acquired this plant and that you have traveled, and...I gave you the best information I knew with the information you provided. i am sorry that i have made you angry, best of luck with all your orchids, i know they bring you much joy.

[Anteater]

Wow. Those are some impressive roots. It sucks that you have to cut them, but I guess that's what you have to do. Most the time that I've cut back heavy root systems, the plant takes a while to recover, but I haven't done it with a Cattleya type before. I doubt it would be any different, but I don't know. Too bad you can't graft roots onto other plants. I'm sure you would have a market for them. LOL

[Cjcorner]

You plant is very happy in the net pot. if you are wanting to tri the roots, i believe you can cut them back to about 4 inches. This is closer to how they grow naturally and potting it leaves you open to all sorts of disease and rot. but if you insist ...You will have to cut the basket from the plant and see what is inside, and if you sufficient roots in the pot you can cut most of the long roots off. Dust with cinnamon, and pot.

Dust roots with cinnamon? That will kill them. You might be able to get away with watering with a dash of cinnamon, but you seriously do not want to put it on roots. It is a dessicant and will dry them out.

[stateless]

I've only had this problem with vandas, I didn't want to cut the roots so I took a large clay pot put some tree fern chunks in ,lowered the roots in putting some more chunks in, until I could get the roots in and stabilize the pot with more chunks and they have been fine, but for a plant like yours I think cutting may be the best, the pot looks full of healthy roots.