How do I replant my MOth Orchid with the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot? Can the roots be cut off?

My Moth Orchid has roots coming out of the top and the holes from the bottom of the pot? Can I cut off the roots to repot?


Someone at a nursery adivsed that I can cut the roots and that it would not hurt the plant. On the otherhand I was advise not to break the roots when repotting. How do I get the plant out of the pot without hurting the exposed roots? The roots are long , too long to fil in another pot and they don't bend without breaking it. Please help. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.





Terrie Andrews

How do I replant my MOth Orchid with the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot? Can the roots be cut off?
Cutting the roots will not hurt the plant because it is a clean cut. Breaking it will hurt the plant because there will be exposed nutrients the plant needs to survive. So cut the roots keeping them as long as possible. The worst that will happen with cutting the roots is the growth will be slowed.
Reply:get your orchid mix and cut the pot apart or orchids can be naked for some time just turn in sideways and pull and push the roots back through when you have accomplished that set in a jar of water and orchid grow for about an hour while you prepare larger pot for it's next growth spurt
Reply:I never cut or break roots off of my plants when they get root bound. I have always heard that it can kill a plant if it is done. I don't know how big the pot is that you have the plant in now. But, I will tell you how I do it. I tip the pot upside down, you have to hold it as best as you can with out letting it drop to the floor. It is a good idea to get someone to help you with this too. Take a butter knife and use the handle to tap all around the pot. You will release the plant from the pot this way with out hurting the plant. You might have to tap it for a while in order to loosen it from the pot. The plant should slide right out of the pot. Try to keep as much of the existing soil on the plants roots as possible. Loss of soil around the root ball can throw the plant into shock. I hope this helps!