Phal: time for repotting?

[dipasquo]

I have a nice sized phal that appears healthy, in that it has put out two large new leaves and, as you can see, an aweful lot of new roots in the year since I've owned it. From what I can see, the potting material is intact (i.e. not degraded), yet I wonder - given the number of roots hanging over the side of the pot - if it's time to pot-up this guy?

[Anton]

Dipasquo, it doesn't always help, I have a Phal pulchra which I potted on and it still wanders. Now I am just resigned to spraying the air roots to kep them moist.

Another option is to mount it.

[kmarch]

How long has it been since your Phal was last repotted? Phals suffer from degraded mix. Sometimes it will look ok on the surface yet inside the pot it is broken down and mucky. I don't grow a lot fo Phals so someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe a Phal should be repotted about eveyr 2 years to keep the mix fresh.

[sandra]

I've read numerous times that phals like to be repotted, they love fresh mix and react well to this and that there's never a wrong time to re-pot them although, it's recommended while in bud/bloom to wait.

[Anton]

I lost my favourite Phal by repotting, it sulked to death.

Not only do I suffer tepremental monkeys but also plants.

[robb]

anton: the kissing monkey...just a little odd

a sulky phal? my latest phal acquisition is potted in sphag but has 3 blooms on it, so i'm waiting until it stops blooming, then i'll repot it, as sandra pointed out.

[mayres]

If that was my phal I would take it out of the pot, wash off the roots, trim and repot into fresh media in the near future - right back into the same size pot if you can get them all in there. If not, move up just barely. If you use bark be sure and soak it well and then watch to make sure you don't need to water/soak for the next month or two of water cycles to get the bark absorbing water well. mike

[dipasquo]

It came from the store about a year ago - so I don't know exactly when it was last repotted. On the one hand I assume that since it's showing a lot of good growth it's probably pretty healthy overall, getting nutrition, water, airflow, etc. that it likes. Unless the extensive root growth is a sign that it's not getting enough water out of the pot and searching for more.

Is it safe to keep a close eye on it, or will it be too late once it actually shows signs that it might need fresh potting mix?

[Tobi]

Dipasquo,
Phals like to be repotted every 12-18 months. Since it has been almost a year
since you got the plant, it probably won't hurt to repot it, especially since it's
not in bloom now and putting out new leaf growth. Soak the air roots throughly
before you repot as that makes them more pliable and less likely to snap or break when you repot. A careful root trim won't hurt them as they are quite
resilient orchids as long as they get the required temperature and humidity
afterwards. Give the plant a good watering after repotting and don't use
any fertilizer because you want the plant to establish a good root basis
rather than growing. Keep it out of direct sunlight and increase the humidity
for about 3 weeks.

[mayres]

As good and healthy as it currently looks I'd say if you want to hold off it will be fine - assuming the media is not broken down (soft and spongy or otherwise decomposing). Many healthy phals will show root growth like this regardless - its just what they do. Normally they would be attached to bark on tree limbs or trunks and just be looking for more surface to attach to for additional security.

[robb]

mike: not to hijack this thread, but does your feature feline have 6 toes on each front paw?