I once heard a speaker say that he had seen a Phalaenopsis in the wild where the roots had wandered some 13 feet from the base of the plant. Naturally I was a bit skeptical at first but when I looked more closely at the projected image, those roots were really strong and long! Even if they were eight feet or even ten feet, those are some wonderful roots!
Phalaenopsis have that annoying habit of 'leaving' the pot' and wandering soon after repotting. Just the nature of the beast. But they will also react similarly to stale media. What you'll see are new roots that avoid growing down into the mix. Why? They know it is broken down and it is too moist down in the pot.
I preach to my beginners to repot Phals every year! Many of you will think No Way!! This guy is Nuts!! But truthfully gang, Phals along with the slipper orchids are two genera that respond to repotting by displaying great vigor when it comes to growth. Especially root growth. And good root growth simplifies orchid culture immensely.
More roots=more water uptake=bigger blooms=more blooms!! If the human body is 98.something water..... what percentage of water is in an orchid flower? Probably more? Right? So it only stands to reason that root growth is extremely critical.
