Do I repot my new Phal Orchid?

[sanibel57]

Hello! I am a new owner of a Phal Orchid and I am wondering whether or not to repot it. I have attached a picture of the roots. I have read that when the roots are coming out of the pot, you should repot but my orchid is still blooming/has buds. Any suggestions?

[norris]

Hi sanibel57, and welcome It looks to me like your plant could use a bit bigger home. I've read that many Phal owners re-pot while in bloom with no problems,so I think it would be ok to re-pot it now. Here is a link that might be helpful to you.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...laenopsis.html

and another...Phal Repotting & Media

Good luck

[orchidlover55]

I am a newbie also. I started about six months ago with a Phalaenopsis now the last time I counted I had seventy and I bought seven more today but I had to repot several of mine while in bloom and they did real well. It is best to have two people when you repot it so one can support the flowers and the other one taking the plant out of the pot , so it won't get harmed. Let us see a pic if you do repot it . Happy Orchid Life !!! Once you have bought your first one you are usually hooked

[Hummer344]

It looks as though your orchid is potted in moss. For those that are use to using moss its a good growing medium but for beginners its not easy. I would re-pot the orchid in small orchid bark mix. Any phal I get thats in moss is repotted within a few days of getting it and I usually don't lose any bloom at all.

[mehitabel]

I would repot. At the most you would lose a couple of the older flowers, but if the flowers are fresh, there's often no effect at all on the flowers.

If you use bark, be sure to presoak it, as new bark doesn't retain enough water. And if your phal is too dry in the new medium, that is when it definitely will start to lose flowers.

The reason for repotting now instead of waiting is that roots can decline seriously over just a month or two, and phals are in bloom for a long period. Any medium can get loaded with fertilizer salts, and when it does, it is poisonous to phal roots. Sphag especially can turn sour very fast. It can also become compacted and then does not hold enough air.

Sometimes the grower puts new medium in the pot to make the plant look good. But this has the effect of concealing the old medium, which can be pretty far gone. I have unpotted phals potted in sphag that stink of mustiness and rot from sour sphag.

[hulaorchid]

WELCOME!! Glad to have you here!

[sanibel57]

Thank you so much for all of your replies. I will attempt a repot and then let you all know how I did. I have to admit I am a little nervous but there is such goo advice on this site that I feel more confident about repotting. The plant looks healthy so I think it will be ok. I will definitly try the bark for my repotting medium. Thank again for the advice and the welcome!

[sanibel57]

Hello all!

One more question. What types of pots do you like to repot your plant in? I have seen plastic and clay mostly. I just wondered if they type of pot matters very much? Thanks!

[fred]

myself I would not worry to much about the roots growing out of the pot like that Phals are quiet happy like that.
having said the above yes I would do a repot because as you can see the orchid is being pushed up by the roots.
I would also agree with the small to medium sized orchid bark mix the long roots that are growing out of the pot you can try very gently to place them inside the pot as well.

once the plant is removed from the pot and all the old medium has been removed you can soak the roots for about twenty min making the roots more manageable

[mayres]

Plastic pots in general are used more often than clay pots for phals - especially the clear type - where you can view the moisture levels and root health through the pots. Of course many people also do wonderfully utilizing the clay pots - each would work if the culture is managed appropriately. Some even successfully grow phals in NO pot! However most phals that are mounted on bark (no pots) need a humid environment and frequent watering - usually in greenhouses or tropical locations. If you repot in bark be sure and soak the bark for 24 hours or longer first - this will help the bark hold more water initially and for longer. Plants put into fresh bark that has not been soaked often go through a difficult acclimation period and become semi-dehydrated. As you continue to grow and collect phals you may want to eventually try some other media types or mixes. Good luck!

[sanibel57]

Thank you for the info. I am off to get my supplies and start the repotting process!

[trinigirl]

Should be exciting to do the repot! Can't wait for pics of the new phal home!