Darn this Phalaenopsis...if that's what it is.

[LoaRellab]

So my orchid seems to be happy. It has numerous buds. The lowest leaf is turning a bit yellow. I'm assuming that's because it's just going to fall off soon. The one problem I've been having is this weird mold build up. The roots have a white fuzz. I read on here that i should pour some hydrogen pyroxide on the roots so I've tried that and it worked a little, but it still seems to be kind of fuzzy. Should I just keep dumping on the hydrogen pyroxide? Do I need to cut the stem soon or repot it or anything?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

For a Phal, don't repot unless the mix is breaking down and holding too much water. Is it possible you are not letting the mix dry enough before watering? Maybe you are getting the fuzz because of fertilizing too often or too strongly. Try leaching the fertilizer out of the mix every other watering. You might also want to put the peroxide in a spray bottle, but put fresh in each time you use it.

When it is done blooming, you can cut the spike completely off with a sterilized tool, or you can cut it off blow where the first flower bloomed, and just above the little bump on the spike. If you are lucky, you will get some more blooms with a short spike growing from the bump. Flowers will be smaller and less, and may make the next years blooming a little less extravagant. Can't get something for nothing. Cynthia

[LoaRellab]

Good to know! Only one more question: how do you leech fertilizer out of a pot?

[mayres]

Run lots and lots of water through the media. It works kind of like rinsing your dishes in the sink. The longer you hold it under the water the more will be dissolved and flush through. :-)