Care of new blooming orchids w/roots wrapped in clear plastic

[joemin]

Hi--i have received some new blooming orchids with the roots/moss wrapped on clear plastic with one hole in the bottom--i am afraid the roots may rot from too much water--i know not to re-pot--but would it be ok to just cut away the plastic and let the roots/moss naturally spread into the pot??

thank you--joemin

[PhalNewbie89]

You should be able to repot. Phals actually appreciate it.

[orchidea]

Originally Posted by joemin

Hi--i have received some new blooming orchids with the roots/moss wrapped on clear plastic with one hole in the bottom--i am afraid the roots may rot from too much water--i know not to re-pot--but would it be ok to just cut away the plastic and let the roots/moss naturally spread into the pot??

thank you--joemin

Welcome to the forum.
I would wait till it's not blooming anymore. But if you really want to repot right now, I would soak it in the water for 10-15 minutes before I repot.
Roots become more flexible to deal with this way.....
Good luck.

[Greybeard]

Hello and welcome to the forum! First is the plastic a pot or is it like plastic wrap, if it's a pot then you might try to just put more holes in it for drainage and if the medium is soggy then don't water till it has a chance to dry out a bit but if it's plastic wrap then you need to repot but before we get into this to much it would be nice to know what type of orchid it is, so if you post just 5 times, may introduce yourself in the intro or ask more questions in the newbie thread, whatever then you can post pics If it is a Phal they don't mind being repoted even in bloom, I've done mine with no loss of blooms or buds. Your in the right place for help

New Jersey is hot and very very humid & steamy this time of year. You are right on being scared of overwatering. The plastic bag with one hole is suffocating the roots already. Research online what kind of orchid you have, by comparisson of pictures and by process of elimination(you did not say what kind of orchid you had). Since you have mentioned moss as your medium(I assume its a phalaenopsis...but other orchids are put in moss too), then you need to go easy on watering it but its best to do it in the mornings so the plant has all day to absorb moisture and dry up at night, many advice on the water when dry only, because in your area you can have crown rot due to overwatering. YouTube has many videos on replanting orchids choose the one that is similar to your orchid. You will also learn the best medium your orchid must have...moss or the coarser bark/charcoal/rocks combinations. Find a clear plastic container, maybe those food containers that are 4by4 punch holes on the bottom and on the sides and replant your orchid there...then you may find a nice planter vase to fit it in...just lift the clear plastic food container from the ornamental pot when you water it, make sure theres no stagnant water that remains on the ornamental pot...or you may go fancy and drive to an orchid supply store(I go to Secaucus = theres two reputable stores: 1. Garden Indoors 600 meadowlands parkway 2. Kelly's Korner Orchid Supply 20 Park Rd), find your correct media, clear plastic pot and fancy planter ...Enjoy!

[kmarch]

What kind of orchid is it?

[plantloverlisa]

Hi Joemin and welcome, is it in a flimsy clear plastic pot sitting in a slightly larger unglazed clay pot?

[otis 226]

Glad to have you on the board. You should find a lot of good advice here and make some great new orchid buds. Don't worry. Most orchids are pretty tough and really want to live. You'll get to understand what they're trying to tell you before you know it!
Good growing,
Tony

[joemin]

Hi all--thank you very much for making me feel welcome--my collection has more than doubled since my daughter and i attended the silva orchid sponsored shore orchid festival the past two years--i am an avid gardener and have quite a collection of succulents who are being threatened by my growing orchid collection--oh for a bigger house!!

the plants in question are in fact Phals with a thin plastic container which is really squeezing the roots/moss mix--i did release two of them today and didn't like the way the roots looked--i put one in a glazed orchid pot and filled in the space around the roots with new moss without disturbing the roots- the other i simply put back into the pot which the plastic pot was in--i will move to another glazed orchid pot saturday--which is also my birthday!!

one more question (of course this won't be my last)--when i purchased young plants from vendors--especially miniatures in seems like they are in very tight quarters as far as their pots--is is a wise move to go ahead and transplant or just be patients until the plants become accustomed to my growing area?

[PhalNewbie89]

I and many on here would say to repot immediately. It is best to save the plant and make sure all is good in places you can't see than to worry about the flowers. If the flowers die at least you have saved the plant so it may surprise you with more later.

[orchids4me]

Hello and welcome to the forum
Re pot asap !! Doesn't matter if its in bloom if its a Phal. They pack that moss so tight the roots don't breath and the center of the root ball rots. If you find any bad roots trim them with a sterile cutting tool and put powder cinnamon on the cuts and re pot in a coarser mix if you have high humidity where you are especially so the roots can breath. Pot phals in a pot that's just a bit larger than the root ball (able to stick in a couple fingers between root ball and pots edge is perfect size). And the lowest leaf just above the medium is the perfect depth.
Good luck
Emmaye