How do you prune an orchid?

Question

My orchid has lots of roots sprouting out of it nearly all the way to the top. Is it ok to trim these? Also, how do you re-pot an orchid? Are they very delicate?

For information - it's an indoor orchid. Possibly a Phalaengious (or something like that - I've lost the label!!).

I don't want to kill it but would like to make it look a bit tidier if possible.

Any tips would be gratefully received. Thanks!

Answer 1

PHALEONOPSIS!! : ' ) Phals like a very open mix. Get some medium sized orchid bark chips, just ask the local nursery, they'll know what you mean. Some people add 1 part in 4 of chopped spaghnum moss for water retention, but not too much, you don't want it to ever get soggy. Carefully remove it from it's pot, shake off any loose mix but don't try to peel it off the roots. Use a pot about half again as big as the old one. Hold the plant in the pot with one hand so that the base of the plant is about an inch or so from the top and fill around the plant with the other hand. Easy really, but DONT use commercial orchid mix on Phals, they will rot those big , air loving roots.

Answer 2

you will have to get some proper orchid compost and pot it up in a slightly bigger clear pot as they like light on there roots i dont trim the roots on mine but do spray them every day if poss or you can buy pots made for orchids that have lots of holes in them hope this is helpfull happy growin x