How deep should a phal be potted?

[ShadePlant]

This may sound like a strange question but I have watched videos Of phals being reported where the person pots the phal burying the roots up to the crown. The crown isn't buried but all of the roots are. Then I have seen videos where the person leaves 1/2 inch or so of roots out so the crown is elevated. The people who bury the roots say leaving them out can cause them to dry too much and then increases risk of rot when you have to spray near the crown to water. People who leave roots out say that they do that to prevent crown rot. I'm confused.

[RosieC]

I bury roots if I can but try not to cover where any of the leaves emerge, so only bury the base of the crown up to just below the lowest leaf.

If any tops of roots are above that point it doesn't matter because they must have grown that way (unless whoever potted it before you buried it deep) and roots that grow in the air will do just fine still in the air.

Unless you are in very dry conditions I wouldn't even mist them (to avoid crown rot).

---------- Post added at 08:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 AM ----------

By the way, just moved this to our potting area of the forum

[tarev]

On initial repot, I bury the roots but I keep the crown elevated, almost just sitting above the media and slanted a bit to the side. I don't miss the leaves of my Phals either. But I try to make sure they get very good air circulation, running the ceiling fan or opening windows weather permitting. They love that.

In time the plant may send out aerial roots, or find ways to escape through the side holes, so I just let it do what it likes. After all, in nature, Phals are hanging on limbs, roots fully exposed.

[ShadePlant]

thank you both for your help. I understand now.