nickchurcher

[nickchurcher]

I have recently been given five phalaenopsis, three are in clear plastic pots one of which has got top heavy and falls over. Can I repot it into a terracota pot of the same size or should I buy a bigger pot and potting medium? I think they are potted in mediun fir bark.

If your only problem is the plant is top heavy, just slip the whole shebang into a larger empty clay pot. I prefer growing in plastic, but I use many clay pots to keep the orchids from falling over.

[jerrymeola]

Terracotta dries faster than Plastic. If you water a little more often the change will not matter. Fir bark is a good growing medium. If you re-pot you may find a mass of sphagnum under the bark.

I like to grow Phals in hydroponic rock in a terracota orchid pot (side slits cut into the pot) with a saucer under the pot. I top water until the water flows out the bottom and leave the excess in the saucer. The hydroponic rock soaks the water back up as needed. The terracota darkens when it is wet so when the pot gets back to its lighter brown color it is time to water again.

Phal roots are very thick and rack easily. Soak the plant before re-potting to soften the roots. (20 minutes to an hour)