You should repot when the mix begins to break down. Generally, this is every 1.5-2 years. The roots above the mix are aerial roots, and are biologically different from the ones buried in the mix in the pot. Do not bury these roots.

You could use a repot on this fella. With phals I have found that this can be done any time of the year or any time in growth or bloom. They are pretty hardy.
And isn't it great when other people try to mess with your plants......

Thanks for the info everyone! I've repotted orchids before, but I just wasn't sure what to do with all of the aerial roots on this one.

Sarah

Sarah you need to put the roots into the pot unless your humidity runs in the 80% range all the time. Your aerial roots are the newest roots and support the newest growth.

There is not difference between "aerial" roots and the roots inside the pot except for a thicker coat of velamin. Reduce watering after repotting until the velamin adapts. It won't take very long.

Soak the aerial until green and very pliable before potting.

Brooke

I agree with Brooke. Try to get the roots inside the pot or put this pot inside another until you can repot. The double potting will increase humidity around the aerial roots. You could put some sphag or chips around the sides of the 2nd pot and keep the chips/sphag moist. I've used soaked CHC or bark. Its a good way to hold over a plant until potting.

When you repot, try to get the roots in the new pot.

Jane

Thanks Jane and Brooke. I was able to repot over this past weekend. I couldn't find too many nice pot choices, so while this one was a bit large in depth, I added some (sterilized) pebbles at the bottom to take up some space. It is doing well.

{{gwi:140077}}

Sarah

It looks great and using something to fill up the depth was perfect.

Brooke

Great job, looks beautiful. Very pretty and healthy Phal.

Jane

Both Brooke and Jane are correct. Parkside Orchids, which has five greenhouses, always buries their aerial roots. Their plants on the benches are so close together they can't have roots wandering from one pot to another. Parkside says this practice does not hurt the roots.

Orchid126, great point. I love Parkside, fantastic place. Actually, I just received a giftcard to Parkside and plan to go there in March, during a visit with family in PA.