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Orchids with air (aerial) roots are classified as epiphytes.
Patience and a little knowledge can help you manage the task with ease.
Read more about how to repot an orchid with air roots.
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What Is an Epiphyte?
How Do Orchids Grow?
Orchid plants grow in two different ways, defined as monopodial or sympodial.
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The result is a combination of roots, leaves.
As a result, they seldom need to be repotted in larger pots.
A good example of an orchid of this punch in is the Phalaenopsis.
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Soaking can be done in a sink or a bucket.
Have all your materials and tools gathered on a flat working surface with a nearby water source.
A small wooden dowel or stick will help push the planting materials in around the downward growing roots.
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Place the orchid in its pot into the sink or bucket and soak for approximately 30 minutes.
Remove the pot and thoroughly drain any excess water.
Gently wiggle the orchid while pulling upward to loosen it from the planting medium.
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While still holding the orchid, turn the pot over to dump out loose planting material.
Avoid bending the roots; orchid root tips are fragile and the roots could break.
Once all roots are free, lift the plant from the pot.
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Examine the Orchid
Look for roots that appear brown or shriveled.
Use snips to cut them back to healthy tissue.
Place the orchid on a dry cloth or paper towel.
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Clay is preferred over plastic because it wicks moisture.
It is also perfectly fine to use the same pot.
Scrub the pot clean of salt build-up or mossy growth, if necessary.
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Fill the pot with a shallow layer of pebbles, small stones, or broken pot pieces.
Place the Orchid in the Pot
Return the orchid to the pot.
Gently ease the air roots into their natural growing position.
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This may include easing some roots through additional holes (as in an orchid pot).
Avoid bending or compressing the roots as much as possible.
Roots growing up or out should not be forced down into the pot.
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Fill the Pot With Planting Material
Add the suggested grade of fir bark for your orchid.
Begin by dropping several pieces into the pot.
Use a small wooden dowel or blunt stick to snug the bark around submerged or extending roots.
Do not pack the bark too tightly.
Make the bark snug enough to secure and anchor the orchid.
Fill the pot to within 1 inch of the rim with fir bark.
Add a layer ofsphagnum mosson top.
Withhold water for several days up to one week.
Resume Regular Routine Care
Resumeregular maintenancewhen the orchid shows signs of renewed and active growth.
New growth appears as the start of a new leaf and/or air root.
Pruning off the air rootsof an orchid can be detrimental, depending on how much you remove.
Orchids depend on these roots for water and nutrients, so removing them can seriously stress the plant.
Additionally, cutting them can introduce disease through the wounds, reducing theorchid’s lifespan.
Orchids grow aerial roots because it’s in their nature.
In the wild, aerial roots help anchor orchids to trees or other structures they are attached to.
Misting aerial orchid roots is generally fine because it mimics natural high-humidity conditions.
