Hello,
I have several spider plants that are quite old and they are in need of repotting, as I believe they are getting rootbound.
Can I cut some of the roots away so I can use the pot their in
I don't want to go bigger on the pot size, I was'nt sure if cutting the roots would kill the plants.
Could you give me the proper way to repot my plants so I don't hurt them too much.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely
Joel Snyder

Acually, plants like the spider do better when pot-bound which helps in sending out runners and less chance of root-rot in some cases. Unless the roots are not able to absorb the water because it's running straight through AS your watering, you can leave them be for a while longer. You might see some sulking after root pruning, just don't over-water at this point.It best to do this percedure in the spring.
But, if you really want to re-pot, here is some good information on the subject....

How to Root Prune a Rootbound plant

When a plant is root pruned, the rootball should be disturbed as little as possible, so it is best to do the job when the soil is moist (not dry or soggy), as moist soil is less likely to fall apart. The first step is to remove the rootball from the container. If there is a mass of roots circling the bottom of the rootball, these roots can be sliced off with a sharp knife or scissors rather than trying to untangle each root. Slice them off where the root mass meets the soil, gently prying the mass of roots back as you cut so you can see where you are cutting.

The next step is to remove any other large roots you notice at the bottom of the rootball (above the sliced off portion) or at the sides of the rootball. These large roots should be traced back into the rootball and cut off where they branch off, or where smaller roots exist. For every large root that is cut back, it will eventually be replaced by smaller feeding roots.

To stimulate new root growth near the center of the rootball, cut out 2 or 3 inch deep V-shaped wedges at the edges of the rootball, from the top of the rootball down to the bottom of the rootball. Cut 4 or 5 wedges out of large rootballs and 2 or 3 wedges out of smaller ones. This procedure not only cuts through circling roots in the rootball, but it also gets rid of some old soil and roots.

The plant can now be returned to the same container. Place the same amount of fresh potting soil at the bottom of the container as was the thickness of the slice of roots that was removed from the bottom of the rootball. Put the plant back into the container, and fill in the V-shaped wedges with fresh potting soil, gently firming it with a stick as you add the soil. Dry soil will flow down easier and fill in the open pockets at the edges of the rootball a lot better than moist soil. The final step is to water the plant well, making sure the dry soil is thoroughly wetted.

After a plant has been root pruned, it has lost a lot of roots, so the plant will need some special care for awhile. Place the plant in a cool, humid room away from bright light, until it has time to develop those new roots. Misting the leaves ocassionally will help conserve water loss from the leaves. Do not water the plant again until the soil is nearly dry - constantly wet soil can cause the cut root ends to rot. Once new growth resumes, the plant may be returned to its original location.

If you feel unsure about this method of root pruning, try it on one of your not so favorite plants. When you see that plant respond and grow with added vigor, because it has so many feeder roots now feeding it, it probably won't be long before you root prune all of your houseplants.