Hi Sue, Phalaenopsis are epiphytic orchids, and ideally should be grown on a lump of tree bark, or in slatted baskets, having said that, I've never seen 1 for sale growing like that, they're usually in pots, the aerial roots have adapted to absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the air, in addition they need to be exposed to light and air, in the wild they supply all the nutrients the plant needs for healthy growth, when they're grown in pots, it's usual to leave them on, as it will never be as healthy with them cut off, however as a lot of the roots are in soil, if you just take off the very long roots, or any that are black, and obviously dead, it will survive, I would repot it jut 1 size up, they should be repotted every 1 or 2 years, hope this helps, Derek.

Thanks Derek - I knew not to cut a lot of them off - its just that these past few months its grown so many it looks as though it trying to be an octopus...I'll let it get on with it then. I know a lot of epiphytes do grow them - Christmas cacti do too, but theirs are small decorous ones...How long do they get? Would it be less enthusiastic with them if I sprayed it a bit oftener? Just wondered if it was searching for some humidity.
I haven't seen one grown in a basket. It doesn't appear to be growing in soil, just bits of bark, but I'll get it some proper orchid compost and a bigger pot if I can find some clear ones.

Ooh, steragram, I know this is probably a sacrilegious thing to say on a gardening site, but I loathe orchids the same way some people feel about snakes or spiders - some of the flowers on some varieties have always given me the creeps, but even if the flowers are pretty (like Phaleonopsis ones) I can't stand all those thick grey gnarly aerial, knotty roots - they even look horrible in their clear plastic pots, you can see the knobbly roots.I remember with horror a fiancee presenting me with an orchid flower (greenish yellow with spots) to wear as a corsage years and years ago, ugh... I made the excuse it was too heavy to stay upright on my top, which it was, luckily, but it must have cost a bomb back then, and I hated it...

One of my neighbours kept loads of orchids in a special house in his garden, always asking me to admire them...some of them were okay, but mostly, I don't know what it is about them, but they creep me out... definitely something of the horror movie genre about them...

Stera, come with me to a magical world within the Crystal Palace where you'll find answers to the many questions which befuddle you. :)

Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden
http://www.growsonyou.com/bathgate/blog/25917-orchid-show-at-new-york-botanical-garden

Thanks Bath - but actually I'm more inclined to Bamboo's feelings (but with much less violence...)- I do like the flowers but can't see what all the fuss is about - most of them look like artificial ones to me.. I would never have bought one, but as this one was a gift I feel duty bound to look after it!

They are beautiful to look at but they stay the same for ages and I like watching plants change and develop.

So why are you posting these questions? Is this a joke? I'm trying to give you an honest answer. Now you are telling me that you wasted my time! You feel duty bound? I'm sorry but that's not my problem. Yes, this IS a gardening site. If you don't want answers, don't ask the questions. Maybe somebody else does.

Hi Sue, yes spray it more often, they should be misted at least once a day, use a very fine mist sprayer, Derek.

She just said she loathes orchids.

I have just answered a question as asked, Steragram said that the plant in question was a gift, and she felt duty bound to look after it to the best of her ability, which is why she asked the question in the first place, some people appreciate gifts more than others, Derek.

I said I loathed them, Steragram didn't - and there is such a thing as conversational responses to questions as well as direct answers, for many long standing members anyway. Anyone who feels their time's being wasted is perfectly free to stop contributing, preferably quietly without making unpleasant remarks.

Heavens Bath, I didn't deserve that really did I? I have the plant, I need to keep it, and asked a simple question. I don't loathe orchids, just not enthusiastic about growing them. I did want to know the answer to my question, otherwise I wouldn't have asked it.
I don't understand your apparent need to be so hostile. Nobody else on this otherwise friendly site makes that kind of comment. I try not to get involved with your unpleasant comments these days and will not reply to any more you might make on this thread·

I wasn't being hostile to you Stera and I did give you an honest answer at first. You would have found the answer to your question in my blog which is why I wrote it. Then you replied that you loathe orchids and felt duty bound (I'm more inclined to Bamboo's feelings) I felt like you shunned my reply and wasted my time. How is that hostile? I was very direct for sure and it's my privilege.

I say again, 'loathe' was NOT a word used by Steragram. Nothing was said here that should have caused anyone to feel shunned or any other negative emotion, never mind feel the urge to strike back in a hostile fashion. But hostile is undoubtedly the right word. Sad.

Nobody is talking to you! Stera disregard the above comment, please. She loves controversy. I'm not trying to be hostile. I just don't understand why you would post a question if you dislike orchids. I'm sorry if I came across that way, Stera.

No, YOU'RE not talking to me - and I'm speaking to everyone else, not you, no need to get your knickers in a twist.

You're always in the middle of chaos - trying to make it worse.

Mes enfants !