Reblooming Phal

[woodbloke]

Hi everyone - have just joined this forum and would like some basic info please. We bought an orchid about two years ago and live in Salisbury, England, the label in the pot says Phal Brother Pico Vallezac. When it finished blooming the first time I cut it down to the first or second bud. It has not been repotted, but has been fed once a month with half strength feed, watered once a week. The plant is in contained in a ceramic orchid pot to allow for free draining. It has recently been moved into the bathroom and sits in a shallow tray of water to increase local humidity. I have managed to grow a couple of new leaves or so, but would really love to see it bloom again. Any help or advice for a complete newcomer gratefully received - Rob

If your plant has not been repotted in two years, it definitely needs to be repotted. Phals respond well to being repotted at least once a year. I have found that phals don't necessarily need lots of humidity as they do the proper light. An eastern or western window or a south window about 24" back will be good light. Most phals enjoy a 15 degree drop in temperature for a couple of weeks in order to help them set spikes. If you keep them inside, at night you can open a nearby window that won't cause a draft for the plant. If you keep it outside, in the fall when the temperatures drop leave it out as long as the nights don't go below 55 degrees.

[woodbloke]

many thanks - we will take a walk down to the local garden centre today and get some medium bark - have found this website full of very interesting information on orchids since joining just yesterday.

I prefer to plant phals in fine bark with some sphagnum moss as the roots like to stay damp. If you do use medium bark, and if you find that it dries out too quickly, you might consider adding a handful of sphagnum moss for added moisture.

[jerrymeola]

Your light levels are probably too low for even a Phal and the temperature drop is a necessity. Try to give it a month of cool evenings with a 20 degree drop from day to night.

Your plant sounds healthy and should be ready to start flowering for you each winter or spring.

I would avoid medium bark as it dries too fast. It may be all you can find so the suggestion to add some sphagnum is good. Here in Florida they are usually grown in all sphagnum but the mix may be best for you.

Soak the plant for 20 minutes to an hour before re-potting to soften the roots. They are very thick and crack easily. Remove all the old potting mix and work new mix in and around the roots.