Need some Phal. advice

[brookn]

Okay,

It is the middle of the night, the kiddies are in bed, the danes are in bed, almost time for me to go to bed. I had this feeling that my Queen Beer, though the new bloom opened for me today, was being stifled in the sphag. that it was potted in when I bought it. It was just so densely potted I could not get it to budge in the pot, and getting a skewer in it? Not happening.

So, I held my breath, prayed for those pretty little blooms, and dove in. So after prying, cursing, prying, and some gentle tugging, I finally got it out. I removed about 3 large handfulls of sphag. There was still enough to securely pot the little stinker securely back in her pot. She even looks happier. I think I need reassurance that I did the right thing.

I have two questions though:
1. the roots had some black spots, should I do anything or just let them breathe?

2. I bought a premixed spray today of .09% neem, and 99.01% inert ingredients (this is the best I could do in the middle of nowhere). Is it safe, and how much should I spray on the little darlings? The bottle says to spray to run off, that seems like a lot? Can any of you experts help? I would really appreciate it.

[kmarch]

Hello brookin and welcome to the forum. I occasionally find orchids tight in their pots (especially Cymbids). I actually think this is a good sign of vigorous root growth. I suspect the plant was so tight in the
pot because it grew into it, which is really what you want. People grow Phals in all sorts of mix. In a way it isn't important what you grow it in just as long as the plants' cultural needs are met. Take a good look at the AOS Phal culture sheet of the one on this forum to see what that is. Just watch your new;y repotted plant to see how fast it dries out or how wet it remains and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

In answer to your questions:

1. I wouldn't worry unless you see them spreading.

2. I would not spray insecticide unless I saw insects. I don't care much for using insecticides unless they are needed. Note: Some will disagree with me on this point and prefer to spray preventatively. Maybe one of them will state their case for doing so here and you can decide which will suit you best.

Cheers

[Maddy]

I've had to do that with about half the phals I've bought. The sphag is packed in there so tightly that it stays sopping wet no matter what. And most places like Lowe's, etc., overwater to begin with.

[Aniko]

Brookn - You did the best thing, saving the roots this way.
Usually pots are over stuffed with sph.moss to prevent roots from drying during the time they spend on the store's shelf. But on long term the lack of ventilation causes root damage.

[kmarch]

I just learned something. I did not know that nuseries would super-pack pots wiht sphag to prevent roots from drying out in transit....interesting...and it seems extreme and not good for the plant.

Anyway, thanks for the education!

[tom499]

i guess it makes sense for the suppliers
but this is maybe a point to make along with others about new orchid growers buying orchids. i have bought orchids in this state,but the rootswere surprisingly good. i still changed the medium though.

[Aniko]

Well, it's a sword with 2 edges, as most of the methods has risks, too.
I bought some plants unharmed - in my area I can't buy from growers so I buy where I can.
By the way,I am very pleased by sphagnum moss, as medium. It works excellent for me.

[brookn]

Thanks all!

I was worried, but something did not seem right with her. My phal. looks better, and the buds don't seem to be taking it that hard, one looks like it is getting itself ready to open up. Lost a couple of blooms, but they had run their course, so no big deal.

Kmarch, I was trying to be preventative with the spray. I have not seen any critters, but in Missouri, there are always critters. Got some alien looking cricket/spider/grasshoppers that are getting in my bathroom, and we have started the march of the ants to the kitchen sink. Sigh, spring is beautiful here, but the buglies they are icky.

I don't usually use bug spray of any kind, but I don't want to give the bugs a chance to get at the orchids. I got it for my roses also, so it won't go to waste. Thanks for the help. It is much appreciated.

Thanks to aniko and maddy, experience is always valuable especially if you share it with others.