Yet another Phal Question

[anna1029]

Today was the first time I watered my phal since I got it for mother's day. It was feeling wet all this time and today it didn't feel as wet and the pot is quite light. I've noticed in between the leaves there's a tiny green thing growing which could be a new leaf, which is good, right? I've also noticed as I was poking my finger to see how wet it is, that it's packed very tightly in moss. A few people suggested that it should be ligthly packed. Should I consider repotting it after all the flowers fall off. Right now it has 10 flowers on it and I was told not to repot when it's in bloom. What are your suggestions?

[Sharyn]

Anna: It sounds like it's growing in sphagum moss. Some people love it and others (like me) hate the stuff. Don't let the moss dry out completely. You can try the skewer method to test for moisture. If the moss is packed in there tightly, it will hold a lot of water. I've had phals in moss that only needed watering every 3 or more weeks, but how fast it drys will depend on your climate and your growing conditions. Phals can usually be repotted anytime, but personally, I'd wait until your plant is finished blooming. Why not enjoy the flowers for now. Just keep an eye on the moisture. Phals don't like to get totally dry, nor do they like wet feet - quickest way to rot.

You should update your profile to indicate your geographical area so you get replies based on YOUR conditions.

If the new growth you see is on top and between the two leaves, it's a new leaf forming. If it's coming from the base of the leaves, it's probably a new spike starting. Can you post a picture?

[anna1029]

I'm in New York area, yesterday was really first hot humid day.

Yes the new growth is on top between the two leaves.

Thank you for all the help.

[Aniko]

Well, one of those who appreciate the sphagnum moss and I got some experience in handling it.(I've never lost one orchid yet!)
A tightly packed sphag is a real danger because can suffocate the roots and dry out too slowly...It might happen that some roots are already damaged.I always check the roots a soon as I bring home the new Phal.In my experience if handled carefully, pulling out the whole root ball, the bloom will not suffer at all.So, check the roots, cut off all what is dead, hollow , than re pot in the same pot.Fill up with moss just enough to sustain the plant, not over packed.
Doing this, you can prevent a bad surprise, when a beautifully blooming plant suddenly wilt and die.
Good luck

[Sharyn]

Wow Aniko - all your phals are in moss! You must have a good hand with them. Perhaps I should have removed the root ball too and inspected like you did. Most of the phals I've received in the moss were just like Annas' plant, packed really tight and mine were already in the process of rotting. Of course, I didn't realize that and I figured it was a brand new plant from a grower, how could it be bad? Well, I've just learned something from you. Thanks for the tip.

[jerrymeola]

There is no rush to re-pot.

Read the posts and decide if bark, hydroponic or sphag suits your habits. All of the work, they just are used differently.

Bark is watered more frequently and dries faster.
Hydroponic requires a saucer of water below the pot, and absorbs water as needed.
Sphag stays wet a long time and is watered much less as you have learned.

All Orchids in all types of medium need air circulating over the roots as much as water and drainage. Tight packed sphag is common on 4 inch plastic pots grown fast for sale. It will need re-potting. Enjoy the flowers and re-pot when the flowers end. Phals can be re-potted successfully during bloom, but there is no reason to take even the slight risk.

While you are enjoying the flowers you can read the threads ( there are many on Phals, use the search feature on the top of the page) and wander through the gallery to see a wide variety of flowers.

[jerrymeola]

Sharyn

you post came in while I was writing the last reply.

Tight packed sphag is only the result of rapid root growth just before flowering.

When re-potting Phals you can expect some rotten roots on almost every plant. Cut them off if they are black or soft. It is usually not a problem.

To Anna and everyone - the roots of a Phals are thick and can break easily. They do not usually break off but develop deep cracks that encourage rot. Threat them gently when re-potting.

[Aniko]

Well, I respect Jerry's experience and knowledge.
But, why should I wait when I know that an over packed moss will damage my plant's roots???

[PhalPal]

All of the Phals I have ever purchased came potted in moss from the grower; it is much easier for them if they have thousands of plants to water! Unless the plant is suffering (and it doesn't sound like yours is) I wait until an active growth cycle, with the appearance of new roots or leaves before moving to another medium. My feelings are the over-packed moss will only hurt your plant in the long run; it has probably been growing in that condition it's entire existance. Be careful with the watering while in the moss and your plant should be fine until the flowers have faded.
I read something very interesting that makes choosing a medium very easy for me. This very famous grower of Phals stated that it is not so much the presence of WATER that kills a plant at the root level, it is the absence of AIR. Roots need air as much as they need water. (speaking of Phals here)
Also, as stated above: look up "cynthia's skewer method" for watering. When I have a few different media for different plants I cannot water all of my plants on the same day, their needs are different. The skewer method takes the guess work out of watering.

[Aniko]

I suggested removing the excess of moss which suffocates the roots, to prevent the damage - not a complete re-potting.

Here is the link to the skewer method:
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/newbie-questions/1099-skewer-use-for-watering-of-orchids.html

[brookn]

I have to agree with Aniko. Depending upon where the plant was purchased, if it was shipped as a mother's day type thing they tend to overpack with sphag. Mine was, and it was choking the roots. I gently pulled all out of the pot removed a few handfuls of sphag, and stuck it back into the pot to be repotted when it is done blooming. Almost two months later it is producing a new bud, and branch on the spike and two blooms still on it. It is common practice when shipping plants to a box type store so that they do not move around in the medium. A bad practice, but we have heard of this happening several times. I do agree with Jerry that you can repot with blooms on it if you are careful. Phals can be repotted any time, but you have to take care or the buds will blast.

[PhalPal]

After reading all your posts and with my own experiences I'm beginning to think it may not matter at all. I did a lot of re-potting today, four of which had finished blooming and were starting new growth of leaves and roots. They were very tightly packed in sprag from the grower and had been for at least the six months I have had them. I personally don't like growing in moss, but must admit that whenever I remove a phal from a pot grown in it I have a tangle of healthy roots. I had to cut off very few decaying roots. My dislike of moss is probably because it is difficult to remove all that moss from the roots when re-potting, even with soaking, and I don't think it is good practice to mix vastly different media. All of us grow in many, many different media with success and this is just another example of that.

Just another thought....Something that may make a huge difference here is that 90% of the time I am buying straight from the grower with no shipping involved. If shipping is neccessary, no telling how long the plant was soaked before leaving the grower. What I think is 'hard packed' may be totally different from what all of you are having problems with right away.