Roots pushing through small drainage slots.

[krienschmidt]

Hi everyone, I have a phal that literally only had a couple stubs of roots left last fall. Nursed it back to health and now it has roots galore and a couple that are actually pushing through the skinny drainage slots on the pot. I have it in a regular 4 inch plastic slotted pot. I tried to cut the slot a little wider but noticed the edge of the slot had already cut into the root. Also 3 air roots and couple more roots looking like they want to head out the slots too. It's only been in this pot since last fall but is it time to re-pot to a 5 inch pot?? As always thank you for your time and help.

[fishmom]

It's really annoying when they do that! I too tend to clip the plastic pot to make a bigger opening, but I do it when I repot, to minimize the damage to the roots. It doesn't seem to bother the plant when it grows through a tiny space, as the root on the outside of the pot will still get nice and fat, just like normal. I find a fair number of these, as I use terra cotta cache pots for stability on my orchids outside.

That said, there is no reason you can't repot a bit early, especially as you are only talking about a single plant. Phals take gentle repotting in stride, so go for it!

[krienschmidt]

Thanks fishmom, I'm leaning toward leaving her alone where she is since last fall she was near death! Maybe just clip the other slots a little larger before more stinkers try to escape.

[Helene]

Repotted this spring, into this pot I made, wanted to try with lots of holes. Well, I have the same problem as you😜 Gonna leave it like it is, and hope I can cut the pot in fall.

Phalaenopsis hybrids doesnt seem to care when they are being repotted. Have repotted weeks apart (if the new pot or mix doesnt 'feel' right), repotted in flower if the mix is bad, repotted in winter/spring/summer/fall.
They are forgiving plants

Only thing to remember- new mix and pot might not hold water the same way, and you need to adjust that. Thats the only thing I have noticed they can react to. Like these pots- needed way more watering, new bark doesnt contain water very good.

You're doing something right when they grow more roots, keep it in the pot if you want, and repot later.

Congrats on great growing


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[bil]

and this is precisely why I don't like pots with holes in the side.

[Helene]

Originally Posted by bil

and this is precisely why I don't like pots with holes in the side.

I suspect I might not like them as much when its time for repotting😜


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[krienschmidt]

LOL, the drainage slots on my pot are even thinner than these holes. Just the little clear plastic pots from re-pot time. These slots aren't more than 1/8 of an inch at most and the root absolutely pushed and squished it's way through because the pot is not hard plastic. I did manage to cut the other areas a bit bigger so at least if anyone else tries to escape they won't have to smash their way through! Anymore like the one and I'll have to repot. I don't want to loose anymore root tips. Thanks all.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Helene

I suspect I might not like them as much when its time for repotting😜

Yeah. I assume that a root that passes thru such a hole is a lost root come repotting.

I like using bigger, shallow pots for phals, with no side holes, and with coarse bark. They are more stable and you can't over pot or over water in coarse bark.

[Roberta]

For the future, consider plastic basket with big bark. If you need to stabilize it, then drop the basket into a plastic pot that is, perhaps, an inch (2.5 cm) larger than the basket (no media between the basket and the pot). Let the roots do whatever they want. The outside pot will help to keep the humidity up as well as stabilize the plant/basket. Phals are strong epiphytes - if you can provide the moisture, they are really happy in wooden baskets with little or no media - and the roots run wild.