Should you trim the roots of a Phalaenopsis? Trim correctly in these 3 situations for strong roots and abundant blooms

If you see the roots in a Phalaenopsis pot either sticking out in a tangled mess, or some turning black and soft, should you trim them or not? Some people think"roots are the life of the flower" and are afraid of harming it by trimming; others think "if you don't cut bad roots, they'll spread" and go at it too harshly. In fact, Phalaenopsis roots shouldn't be trimmed casually - it depends on the situation. Trim correctly and it will grow new roots; trim wrongly and it will instead rot. So when exactly should you trim, and how do you do it right?

Phalaenopsis roots are not better the more you cut - healthy roots must absolutely not be touched! Those white, plump roots that feel firm to the touch, and the roots with light green"crystal tips" (the tips of new roots) - these are the main force for absorbing water and nutrients, and cutting them will instead affect its growth. Only in these3situations do you need to trim roots; otherwise, don't mess around.

Situation one: rotten roots and hollow roots must be cut. This is the most common reason for trimming roots. If you find Phalaenopsis roots turning brown or black, feeling soft and limp, and squeezing them produces sticky liquid, or the inside of the root is already hollow with only a shriveled skin left, these are rotten roots and hollow roots. Not only can they not absorb nutrients, they will also rot and stink in the pot, and may even infect healthy roots. For example, I once had a Phalaenopsis that, because I watered too often, had water accumulating at the bottom of the pot. Within a few days I found several roots had turned black. I quickly cut off the rotten roots, disinfected them, and repotted, and later it grew new roots. If I hadn't cut them at that time, I estimate the whole plant would have rotted away.

Situation two: old roots and weak roots can be cut. After a Phalaenopsis has been grown for a long time, there will be some old roots with dull color and rather hard texture, and also some thin, skinny, lifeless weak roots. These roots already have very poor absorption capacity, and keeping them will take up pot space and affect new root growth. For example, for a Phalaenopsis grown for3years or more, when repotting you can see quite a few old roots. At this time you can cut them off to make room for new roots, so nutrients can be concentrated on supplying healthy roots and new roots. This way the Phalaenopsis can grow stronger and bloom more abundantly.

Situation three: properly trim overly dense roots. If the Phalaenopsis roots grow too densely and the pot is packed full of roots, with no room even for the medium, aeration will worsen. After watering, the water won't drain easily and the roots are prone to suffocating. At this time you can properly cut a few healthy but relatively thin and weak roots, or shorten the roots that extend outside the pot and have grown too long (don't cut too much - only cut the part exceeding1/3of the pot), so there are gaps between the roots for smooth breathing. This way the medium can also better wrap around the roots and provide nutrients.

The correct way to trim roots - beginners must not get it wrong: first, prepare the tools. The scissors must be wiped with alcohol to disinfect, otherwise they may carry bacteria. When cutting, be"fast, accurate, and ruthless" - cut close to the base of the healthy root system, and don't leave too long a stump, to avoid the stump rotting. After cutting, soak the roots in carbendazim solution for10-15minutes to disinfect, then take them out and put them in a ventilated, shady place to dry. Wait until the cut surface dries and turns white before repotting, otherwise repotting while wet can easily cause root rot.

Trimming roots is not the goal; the goal is to make the Phalaenopsis root system healthier. If you're not sure whether a root should be cut, observe for a few days first to see whether the root has vitality and signs of rot. Repotting time is the best time to trim roots. Normally, don't casually dig open the medium to look at roots, so as not to disturb root growth. Remember, although Phalaenopsis roots are delicate, don't hesitate when they should be cut. Trim correctly, and it can grow more new roots, and bloom even better next year!