Repotting my phal- newbie style

[hillarykat]

I got my orchid two weeks ago as a gift. It is about two and a half feet tall with four flowers and three buds. This is what it look like when I recieved it:


I decided to repot it because the root system looked extremely large for the tiny pot it came in. I tried to follow the instructions that brookn wrote in the post "Repotting a Phalaenopsis". I'm posting in hopes of learning what I could improve on for next time.

I started by carefully removing my phal from it's tiny old plastic pot. It was in there pretty tight so I gently squeezed the container to ease it out. I then placed it in a huge stew pot with room temperature water and let it soak for about forty five minutes, making sure all of the roots were underwater.

After it had sufficiently soaked I started to work the old medium out from the roots while it was still in the pot. This took about an hour, as the roots were very tightly wrapped up in the medium. I then strained the pot and sat down with my scissors and cinnamon.
After soaking and separating:

Old medium:

Prepared cinnamon:

Roots before trimming and cinnamon:


After trimming and applying the cinnamon, I readied the pot that I bought at the salvation army. I thoroughly washed the pot with antibacterial soap to get rid of the old soil stuck to the insides and any potential leftover germs from the last plant that was in it. I did not have any packing peanuts like brookn suggested, so I used rocks and pot fragments I had for the bottom on the pot. I also washed these thoroughly.

The new soil that I used was Miracle Grow: Orchid Potting Mix that I purchased at Home Depot. I added the soil to the pot till it covered the rocks by about an inch or two. I didn't pack it down at all to try and keep air space in the bottom of the pot. I then held my phal in the pot while I poured in the rest of the soil.
Here is the finished product:

I decided to use the skewer method to make sure I water properly. I used a chopstick for lack of skewer.

Also, on the plate that the pot is on I put small stones and a little water for the water pan effect.
Here is a picture of repotted phal next to old pot for comparison and a wine bottle for scale:

Since repotting a week ago, two of the buds have opened up and all seems well.

[garyorchids]

well done, nice job. i'm sure your plant will thrive and be happy.

[LouisW]

Couldnt have done it better!

One concern though. I know you said that you put it in orchid mix but it looks surprisingly like soil to me. I'm probably wrong, just making sure.

[hillarykat]

Thanks! Miracle Grow Orchid potting mix was the type of soil that I used.

[garyorchids]

it does look very fine, maybe too fine and water retensive. be careful on over watering and watch for root rot. personally i would use a courser medium.

[hillarykat]

I got a lot of my information from different threads on this site, and from the very helpful people that posted on my first thread:
Help please! :-)

[garyorchids]

orchid roots require air and light, as they would in the wild, a courser medium, in a clear pot would replicate this more efficiently. i to am only a beginer in orchid management and i must say that you have done a very good job of revitalixing your plant and it will obviously benefit from it's new found care. no doubt a more experienced geek will enlighten us further.

[Irene]

Beautiful job!

I too am concerned about the soil. Phals will want more air movement around the roots. There is orchid 'soil' and then there is orchid 'mix' or orchid 'bark mix'. This is more what you want. It is chunks of bark, charcoal and perlite or something similar.

You want to pot it loosely to that air can get to the roots, but tight enough to support the plant. Can also use a stake or clip or something to help secure the orchid in the pot, until it can hold itself.

[uffe3667]

Hi hillarykat;
I rather agree with the other posters above. The medium you used to repot looks rather fine. This increases the risk of root rot.
However your location (Las Vegas) might make this OK as it is pretty dry out there i understand. Make sure the medium is only slightly damp throughout before watering, as with a fine mixture like it seems you are using you run the risk that the outer and top layer of medium seems to be dry, the center is still very wet.
With a phal. as your orchid seems to be i would prefer a more a more course bark mix.
Gr. Erik

[WoWElf]

Well, I've tried using that mix before and Im not a big fan of it for Phals. It gets too wet and ends up rotting my roots. Oi vay, my beginner mistakes and yet still learning. I like bark better. I live in southern California and it can get pretty hot in the summer (triple digits). Who knows, it may work for you. I like to mix the Miracle grow orchid mix with bark to repot my cymbidiums better. Great job on dealing with the megatons of roots there. Bye!

[flowerpower]

Overall it sounds like you know the steps you need to go through and followed it carefully. I like the cinnamon at the ready. Good job. You have centred the Phal well and kept it upright. On my first re-pot it was practically horizontal!

A few points:

-I would not have re-potted in bloom unless badly rotted. It risks losing blooms and is not urgent to make room for roots because it is not in the active growth season until after flowering. In fact, they prefer to be cramped.
- The media is really dense for a Phal. I bought an "Orchid Compost" that looked like soil too. People told me to take it out. Eventually it preyed on my mind and I potted it over into bark. Already a few roots had begun to rot. Would bark be more suitable in this sized pot?
- I would be much more comfortable with a clear pot for a Phal so that you can see the colour change and know when water is required. I can't imagine not using a clear pot so I can see when they turn silver. You can also see any roots breaking down

If this Phal shows any signs of being underwatered in future (wrinkling leaves, multiple leaf drop, or a keiki) then do feel free to get it out and take a look at the roots before you water again. (That's applicable to anyone with a Phal)

You are in the right place and well done for checking your progress. If you have any questions, ask away, there are tons of experts on this board to encourage you. I'm new to this myself.

I love the blooms on your orchid, I have one that looks similar myself. It does look like it has a good root system and adding the stones to the bottom was wise to help drainage.

Hope this helps!

[garyorchids]

i live in england, where it's been pretty cold lately, although we don't skimp on the heating. i'd deffenately go for a courser mix and
water more regularily, bearing in mind your location. the scewer method is a very good indication, whatever your medium. good luck .

[Irene]

You really did an outstanding job with the repot, though.

[garyorchids]

i agree totally, a fine example of how to revitalixe your phal. a bit of constructive critism ie a corser medium, and fine tuning of the regime is what makes a perfect orchid geek. we will all benifit from experiences shared.

[PhalNewbie89]

I have personally used the miracle gro mix on my phals and had success. I think it is just one of those things that depends. Some people have issues with s/h and some don't, but it is very moisture rententive so if you have high humidity it may not be a necessarly good mix for you. For me barks and things dry way too fast.

[englandfx]

For a newbie, using a potting mix such as the one you're currently using is not recommended.

Phal roots need air circulation and that very fine soil-like mix will rot the roots and keep the roots too damp and will not provide air circulation.

It is going to be a wiser choice to repot your phal in a medium that isn't suffocating the roots like that soil medium you have.

[maiseymoo]

Great job on the repot! I would agree with the comments above about the mircle grow orchid mix, I have used it and had a nightmare with it! Although what works for one will not work for another. I would keep a close eye on it for now and would recommend a clear pot as it just makes it easier to see the roots and you can use it as an indicator of when to water, if there is condensation don't water.

[11Orchid126]

I do hope that's a real clay pot and not a plastic imitation. With that fine medium, a clay pot will be a big help in keeping the roots a bit dryer by wicking water away from the roots and expiring it through the clay walls. Be aware that Miracle Grow Mix breaks down very quickly. If you don't repot now, you will need to in a few months down the line. If that's the only mix available to you, you might try mixing packing peanuts in it to provide for more air flow. Also, if you do repot into a larger bark, pack it well around the roots. They like to feel secure in the pots.

[hillarykat]

It is a clay pot. Seems like I could have used a better medium, the miracle grow was the only one I could find that was specific for orchids. What kind of bark would be best to use? I do live in the desert so it does get very dry here. And, how long do you think I should wait before repotting again since it has just been repotted and is still in bloom?

[Irene]

You should be able to find a bag of 'orchid bark' at Lowe's or similar store. Better yet, check any local nurseries to see if they have an orchid bark mix.

The space between the bark pieces will allow air to get to the roots.

If it dries out quickly in your area, you could add some chopped sphagnum moss to the mix. If you get sphagnum moss, look for a package that says American Orchid Society on it or AOS. It is better quality than the generic moss.

As far as when to pot; I generally just go ahead and pot/repot whenever I think it's needed. I don't worry a lot about the blooms. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, it's just what I do.

[krpot]

I almost bought that MG Orchid Mix the other day. I'm sorry, from my experience a substrate will kill a phal's roots quickly. I would repot it as soon as you can, and risk the "bud blast" (buds falling off). I have had the best luck with a large chunky bark/charcoal mixes. I don't recommend sphagnum, I think it retains too much water. I'm also not so sure about the rocks in the bottom, I tried that once and I think it's better to use something light and porous like lava rocks, styrofoam packing peanuts or just a layer of large bark chips. As far as everything else I think you did wonderfully.

[plucker]

Phals seem to handle repotting pretty good, so repotting it to a courser medium would not hurt anything - rather it would aid things.
I have repotted them late flower cycle (flowers still on) and they held the flowers and never missed a beat.

For you living in a drier climate, you would have to water more than normal and try getting humidity. On the plus side, you should have few fungal problems.

[mytwogirls]

I agree with the potting mix situation. Bark is GREAT! Just be sure and soak it for a while before repotting. BUT, I disagree about repotting while in bloom. You did the RIGHT THING there. Anytime I get a new orchid, whether it is in bloom or not, I always dig it up to see what lies beneath the surface. Sometimes, even if they look perfect on the outside, on the inside there can be a ball of moss which can lead to root rot. There is no way to actually to tell unless you dig it up! It is always better to MAYBE lose a few blooms than lose the entire plant due to not repotting!

All in all, great job! Good growing!

[11Orchid126]

The bark to look for is fir bark. You do NOT want pine bark as it deteriorates quickly. If you're not sure how to water the plant with the MG, use the skewer method. Get a shishkabob skewer from the grocery store, trim it down and stick it into the pot. The next time you think the plant needs water, take it out, touch it to your cheek, lip, or the back of your hand. If it's wet or damp, don't water. If it's almost dry, water. (How wet or dry the skewer is before you water will depend on the needs of the particular orchid).

[CindyLouWho]

I almost bought a bag of that too...it's cheap...BUT I went to our local garden center at the feed mill (Fafard brand) because I remembered seeing orchid bark. It was 2 times as much, but it is definately going to go a long way (the smallish bag will plant many orchids). I would rather be dealing with overly dry orchids than soggy ones. If the leaves start to show signs of under water that in my opinion is much easier than trying to figure out if the roots are too wet.

Cindy

[AprilsOrchids]

Dear hillarycat, and other orchidgeeks,

What a terrific post! thank you very much for taking the time to document the re-potting of your lovely, but very root-crowded phal.

I am a fellow newbie, who replanted the three phals i have, last year (year two of their residence with me) and did not do anywhere near such a thorough and organized job as you (though i did use sterilized scissors for cutting away dead roots). For example, being a perrenial gardener before becoming interested in orchids, and after not being able to readily find fir bark chips, i used the very fine pine bark mulch (yikes, now i know!) that i put on my perennial garden, which does a good job at keeping weeds down and water in for the garden at the front of my house.

now i realize after reading your post, along with all the great comments other members made, that this was the wrong thing to use. rest assured, i will be re-doing these pots after my phals finish blooming this spring! (thank goodness phals seem to be quite forgiving and/or hardy. lol)

so thanks again, hillarycat, and all the other members that commented on this post. i have already learned so much more about caring for my own orchids from reading this set of posts and have forwarded the link to another orchid friend of mine for the same reason.

she and i just attended the Royal Botanical Gardens Orchid Show and Sale (2010), which was amazing to see, where we both picked up some new orchids.

i think i've discovered ochidgeeks just in time, because i've branched out from phals this time and bought two oncidiums and one paph, for their sake and the betterment of my two dwarf and one large phal, hopefully not too late - lol!

thanks everyone,
april

[katrina]

I think everyone should take a look at where hillarykat lives. Las Vegas...desert climate. VERY dry.

The potting medium she has used is designed for orchids and it extremely loamy and open. While I wouldn't use it personally...it could absolutely do very well for her growing conditions. It will hold moisture in a similar way as would sphagnum....better moisture retention. It's a peaty/coir type of mix w/perlite (I believe) and a bit of charcoal or other chunky bits. I've seen nurseries use a similar type of medium for their phals.

The phal is in a clay pot so there will be appropriate wicking/dry time and given her climate...this mix will hold moisture far better than a bark mix would in the same pot.

hillarykat -- as long as your mindful of the watering...so as not to overwater...chances are you will do just fine in that medium. Just make sure you didn't compact/pack the mix in super tight around roots. Oh, and I do believe there is some fertilizer in that mix so I would go easy on any fertilizer for a little while.

And, like 11orchid126 mentioned...this mix does break down quickly so you'll want to repot sooner than you would w/a bark mix but I doubt it breaks down any sooner than sphag does and I repot my sphag plants every year. I'm not 100% certain on that break down period though.

[Irene]

Ok well now I'm all confused again.

Would sphag be a good choice for the desert? I'm thinking of giving the roots breathing room, in addition to moisture. But maybe that's not as important as I thought?

Whatever you decide, remember that Katrina > Irene

[lmartiny]

I recall that particular mix being pretty soil like with little chunkiness. But as Katrina said, it may be fine for such dry conditions. I prefer a bark mix and terra cotta. (my conditions are very different) Even though you hesitate to repot while in bloom; those phals that are packed in spag can be having some real issues below the surface. I've got one now I need to repot pretty quickly.
But don't you find a repotting session therapeutic? Especially if you open that bottle of wine.

[mayres]

As we can all see, there are MANY ways to pot up a phal - and most will work "IF" the person knows how to deal with the media and environmental conditions. As most of you know that have read my posts, I personally do not care for bark at this stage of my phal growing - preferring to use a coir mix that might "appear" quite dense. It does hold a lot of water, but is light and fluffy when dry. As Kat has noted - the media chosen (I'm not actually familiar with its contents and I will admit the "dirt-like" appearance of part of it looked a little scary) might work great for the pot and conditions? I'd check out the water retentiveness with a bamboo skewer for awhile in the middle and bottom of the pot and confirm the media is drying out satisfactorily before watering each time. Hopefully the media was not pressed in too hard and compacted? Don't rewater until the skewer is just slightly damp to the touch. I'd continue on with it for a good six months or so and then lift it out and see how everything is doing - might be great?

[katrina]

No need to be confused Irene. As Mike stated...and as we've seen around here by the diversity of medium preferences on this forum...there is more than one way to pot and successfully grow a phal. Or, just about any other orchid for that matter.

Orchids can grow in or on just about anything provided we are giving them what they need. The mix that hillarykat has used just means less watering will be required than would be needed w/a bark mix.

It will also break down quicker than bark so it will need repotting sooner. Like sphag, when this type of mix breaks down it will compact, get stale and icky (technical term) and can tend to suffocate roots at that point.

As for the roots needing breathing room. Air at the roots is vital to all orchid...for sure. The peat/coir mixes are quite airy and as long as the mix is not packed in super tight...the roots will get air.

I don't live in the desert and yet I use a lot of sphag! Most of my moisture lovers have sphag in the mix to some degree. I even have quite a few plants in straight sphag. LOVE it! It may need repotting more frequently but it cuts down on the amount of watering I have to do. Also, I only use the top quality sphag I can buy which is like night and day compared to some of the stuff I've seen at Lowe's or HD.

[amylmc]

Thanks to AprilsOrchids for directing me to this thread - and this website! I've been dealing with a very sad looking Phal for the last 6 months and after reading your post, I've decided to give it another go. I'm just about to soak the plant, trim what's left of the good roots and repot - in hopes of reviving this little beauty. I've been advised to just bin it, but I don't want to turn my back on it just yet.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks again for your very useful post and to everyone for their insightful comments.

-Amy

[hillarykat]

Thank you all so much for your great information and advice! Everything was going well for the first week or so, and then I started to see yellowing on my leaves... Yikes! I decided to re- repot, here it is: Re- repotted phal, bad news bears- need your help again

[maninair]

I think your phal is happy because two of the buds have opened since repotting. Just be careful about watering - only water when the medium is dry. I am also a learner and got a two months old phal with NOID. Waiting for its flowering.
Regards,
Mani

[yokurt]

i have 2 phals growing in potting compost mixed with peanuts and another 4 in sphag.

no complaints from either.. lol

the potting compost tends to dry out faster at the surface though.

[rhogue]

I was going to repot a very sentimental Phal NOID and a couple of NOIDs I picked up yesterday at Lowes. I had some Cocogro. Picked up some Perlite and Charcoal. Hydrated the Cocogro and mixed 75 - 20 - 5 with the Perlite and Charcoal. I was going to repot last night but got busy. Now I'm glad I did. At the beginning of this thread I was going to go buy some bark to mix in with the mix I have now. Instead I think I will stick to clear pots so I can see the roots and use the skewer to check moisture.

I'm thinking the skewer should be near the center of the pot as that's where you might have the most trouble with water retention? Does that sound right?

Also, are clear pots just so you can see the roots or so the roots can get some light? I was going to slip the clear pot in another decorative clay pot.

Can't thank HilaryKat for such a great post with superior documentation. And of course all of the shared wisdom that was added. I'm so thankful I found OrchidGeeks.

[mayres]

Yes, you want to have the skewer where the media is least likely/last to dry out - which is usually lower middle section. The clear pots enable you to 1) observe root health, 2) observe moisture within (condensate), and 3) they are light and therefor easy to tell water retention remaining. While they do provide means for the roots to potentially do some photosynthesizing I'd personally downplay that benefit.

[rhogue]

thanks mayers. I am looking for clear pots locally but may have to order on-line.