should i repot spike-ing phal

[annabanana]

DSC00072.jpg

DSC00076.jpgI've had this phalaenopsis for about a year and am v excited that its been growing a new spike since last November and now has some buds.

The bark potting mix is looking old and a bit tired now, it has a white susbstance on it. Should i re-pot it now, or would it be better to wait until its finished flowering?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Anna

[syndywindy]

This is one of those areas where everyone has an opinion on what you should do. I personally have done both. I have repotted while a plant was in spike and never had any problems afterward. I have also left it alone until after flowering. I know this isn't helping you but I go with my gut feeling at the time. Have you ever repotted this orchid or is it in the original mix as when you bought it? I tend to repot just about everything when I bring it home, maybe with the exception of orchids I get from orchid nurseries. Oh, and BTW, welcome to the forum, have fun with us!

[annabanana]

Thanks Synda.

I have not re-potted it. Its in the original pot and mix that i bought it in.

I am worried that if I re-pot it would stress the plant and I dont want to risk the buds dropping off, especially as this is my first orchid to re-spike. Am v excited to see it flower as i cant remember what colour they were.

Think i might just wait til after its finished flowering.

[mytwogirls]

I have repotted twice during spike/blooming time. The first was my phal NOID and it was potted in moss. The geeks on here kept advising me to repot since it came from a grocery store, I was new to orchids and it was potted in moss. It was in full bloom and several days later my blooms dropped. It could have been due to stress or because the plant had just been done blooming. Either way I was glad I repotted. The plant now is in spike again, starting to bud and doing great! I also just repotted my phal Black Jack and it just started to open buds and it never dropped a single bud. In fact, more buds have opened and it is thriving great. If you have never repotted I would do it, personally. But if have repotted it before, you can wait, but if the media is breaking down, repot it. Remember taking care of the plant as whole is the goal, the flowers will come on their own. There are always flowers for next year. Saving the plant is the goal. Good luck.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by annabanana

Thanks Synda.

I have not re-potted it. Its in the original pot and mix that i bought it in.

I am worried that if I re-pot it would stress the plant and I dont want to risk the buds dropping off, especially as this is my first orchid to re-spike. Am v excited to see it flower as i cant remember what colour they were.

Think i might just wait til after its finished flowering.

Like I said, go with your instincts. There is nothing wrong with waiting until after it is done blooming. It's always exciting when you get your first rebloom, so no harm waiting.

[HeatherAnnn]

I am with mytwogirls, I did the same with my first plant, I repotted it a few days after I did some research on them. It also opened up new buds when I repotted it, it now has 3 flowers left, and 4 baby buds that are growing great, and 1 new gigantic root! Also did the same with my second, and it now has a new stem coming out the old node where I cut it. I do believe repotting is a good idea.

[YardMeat]

I would wait.

[mehitabel]

Your picture shows buds just developing. So say about a month to open a flower, then three months in bloom. You are delaying the repot four months at least.

Sounds like you don't want to repot, and if so, you should follow your own instincts, as Synda said.

However, I don't think you will get flower or bud drop from repotting a phal with immature buds. Flower drop is much likelier when the flowers have been open for a while.

Most of the stress to a phal from a repot comes from it staying too dry in new medium that doesn't hold much water. If you are careful to make sure the new medium stays moist, by watering a day or so sooner, you shouldn't have any trouble.

[orchidlover55]

Honestly I think your phal looks great I would just make sure it didn't dry out completely between watering.
I have repotted an orchid with it in bloom but when you repot make sure it isn't but two inches larger than the one it is in and soak your orchid mixture over night before using it. Hope I helped a bit to the forum nice to have you with us :-)

[Tarad]

GO with your gut. I have repotted in all stages of bloom with much luck.

[mytwogirls]

I vote repot because it sounds like that is what you are worried about. I have debated repotting three times, and all three times I repotted and was glad I did. I am nosy when it comes to seeing what is going on under the plant though....lol.

[annabanana]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. I re-potted a few days ago and it seems to be doing fine. I put new potting mix in but have kept it in its original pot. So far no buds have dropped, and it looks a lot happier.

[mytwogirls]

Great news! Sounds like you are doing just fine! Congrats!!!!

[orchidaddict789]

Put a humidity tray under the plant (can increase humidity 10%). It makes the plant feel more comfy.

Go with your feeling. If you think the roots will not survive the next 3-4 months in the old bark, then repot. If not, you can wait. To me, the roots and bark don't look too bad, but then again, I'm only looking at a photo. Or you can wait until the buds have all opened, and then repot. By then your plant will have been better adapted to its new home. Good luck!