I'm growing this indoors in a plastic pot with drainage. I used Orchid Mix, which looked mostly like pine bark to me. I'm sure it is attached to the pot.

You might have to cut the pot away from it or just gently slide something in there to loosen it, depending on how tightly stuck it is. Roots are often damaged in repotting and it doesn't harm the plant. In fact, I have given some of mine a root trim. Just give it a few days before watering again so that the roots have time to heal some. The roots will just branch off in another direction. Otherwise, you have to just give it a larger pot.

My main concern is can I plant it deeper? It has pushed itself about 4" above the pot. Thanks for the root info, Harawlins.

Don't plant it deeper. Orchids want air, let it have air. Also, if the roots are too stuck to the pot, don't un-pot it. Try the Pot in a Pot method - http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1564112/pot-in-a-pot-in-a-pot-concept?n=50

I read it. That's not what I was hoping for. It's in a 6" pot now. I'd have to put it in at least a 10" pot to achieve what you are recommending. I have very limited space where this orchid is growing.

I don't see why you can't pot it deeper, as long as the crown of the plant stays above the potting mix. I can't say that I've had one push up that far yet, so I haven't had any experience with it. But there's nothing like experimentation!

In August I finally replanted mine in a 7" carousel orchid pot (you can look it up.) It now has a flower stalk for the 1st time since I got it, 3 yrs ago. It's roots are mostly aerial and all over the place, it looks like the spaghetti monster but is very happy. I planted as low as I could get in the potting mix since mine is a leaner. I thought I could make it more upright but it keeps wanting to go low so next repot I might mount it and hang it. Hope that helps! 7" pot is pretty huge btw...

What media is it planted in? Can you post a photo? The other option is to just let the roots do what they want and don't worry about repotting...ever. As long as you adjust your watering habits, it doesn't actually NEED repotting. The roots will adapt and grow over/around the pot. A 6 inch pot is rather large for a single Phal, so I'm guessing there may be another reason your roots are pushing up. You may find when you repot, that the health roots are the ones out of the pot and you just need to tuck them back in.

Mine is planted in repotme's phal dark classic mix. Seems to like it. It's roots have always been a bit weird but I like it because it makes the plant very sculptural. I know that pot is huge, I'd love to bump it down but I'd have to trim roots because it's a wide grower. See how it's such a leaner? I think I would need to stake it to grow more upright. To zzackey: there is a TON of room in a 7" pot, trust me. I found this recent pic on my phone - please don't mind the poor decapitated ceramic squirrel, shipping incident. He's together again.

That is something to consider...that maybe what you're seeing is just aerial roots. Aerial roots are perfectly normal and healthy, and you don't want to bury all of them when/if you repot. Do you think you could post a picture of your orchid?

I was able to take it out of the pot. It only as about 12 or less roots on it. Two very long roots. I can repot it into the same pot. I don't mind seeing the roots above pot. I just thought it would be more stable if I potted it deeper. What is a good fertilizer for it?

Any orchid fertilizer will work.

Jane

I use a fertilizer from Repotme.com called Feed Me. You simply mix 3/4 of it into a gallon of water. I'm sure there are other brands that are cheaper and work just as well though. The general rule about fertilizing orchids is to feed them "weakly, weekly". About once a month, I hold the fertilizer and just flush the pots with plain water.

If the lower part of the 'stem' doesn't have leaves, yes you can plant it deeper. I've even trimmed off the older bottom portion of phals (and some older roots too) to get them back down in the pot. Just don't bury the leaves, as I think it could lead to problems.

I usually use REPOTME's MSU fertilizer for RO/tap/rain water according to directions.

Good luck,

Bob

Thanks for the fertilizer info.