possibly bought two plants in one pot?

[dragonflylady]

i decided to take my moth orchid out of the plastic planter i bought it in and put it in the clay pot that the plastic one came in. i carefully took it out and as soon as i did i guess the plant either broke or i got lucky and actually bought two plants in one pot. the part with the stem has two large light green leaves and roots on it. the second half has three leaves that are the same color with good roots on it. if i did get lucky and actually buy two plants, should i expect the no stem plant to someday flower? please tell my that putting them in a clay pot the same size as the plastic pot it came in wont hurt them my husband thinks im going to kill them by doing that any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. im still new at this....

[Ellen]

If you actually have two plants, you should put each one in its own pot, no bigger than the one they came in. With any luck, both will grow and flower.

[janet_a]

what ellen said. i've been noticing this trend lately, where growers are potting up 2 phals in one pot to make them look fuller and give the buyer more blooming spikes. (and charging appropriately. $$$ )

[dragonflylady]

thanks i only paid 10 for it hopefully the new plant will live and flower.

[Ellen]

It's not so bad putting 2 phals in one pot, but what I don't like is the growers who put a phal in with something totally inappropriate like a dendrobium!

[dragonflylady]

hopefully putting it in a separate pot and with a little love i hope it eventually flowers someday. i did find the stem where it had been cut off.. it has a few good roots so hopefully it lives. im open to any suggestions..... thanks

[mayres]

I have noticed as well the multiple phal practice - Last summer I purchased a nice yellow phal at Trader Joes for only $10.99 and it was not two but THREE plants! Only one was blooming at the time but I'm hoping for three blooming plants in the near future and possible nice gifts for friends!

Bear in mind when you repot that the two plants will need smaller pots than they had when they were together. If the pot is too big the bark will stay too wet and the roots will rot. Put the plants into pots only as big as the roots will fit into.

[dragonflylady]

for the smaller plant i had to make a pot out of a soda bottle, the roots were gook looking but there were only about five, hopefully it survives