Phalaenopsis Repotting *Pic Heavy*

[benauld]

Well I finally got around to repotting my Phals. I've been putting it off for far too long!

First off the potting mix:

Wood Bark 50%


Pumice Gravel 45%


Biochar (Charcoal) 5%

This is the finished product:

After all the problems of not being able to get loose Coconut fibres here, I decided to do away with them in this mix anyway. Typical!


My container for the first Phal, a mixing bowl for cooking, with plenty of drainage holes drilled in.


Here she is. This was my Sister's unwanted gift.


I have a feeling I might get some criticism for over-potting here, but this was VERY pot bound, it was like that when I got it, and I wanted to change the shape of the container... This was all I could get.


And afterwards, watered in.


Now this is the second second Phal I bought, (after my disaster with the first)! It was doing okay, but I potted it in a container without drainage holes so it needed some help.


I did let both of these dry out more than usual this week, as I knew I'd be repotting them today and giving them a good soak. (I think this one may be sending up another flower spike too, the second one this year).


Here she is repotted. It's actually in a modified funnel, completely open at the bottom for good sharp drainage.


Again, I'm ready for some over-potting comments on this one too. But the circumference of the "pot" is the same as the original, it's just much deeper...

Anyway, I hope there aren't any glaring errors here, I'll let you all know how they get on!

Thanks,

Ben.

[katrina]

I overpot some of mine too...easier than repotting every single year. WHen I overpot I do use some styrofoam p'nuts or cork chunks in the bottom to reduce the amount of medium needed in the pot which also helps to speed drying time a bit. BUT, if you remember the center will stay wet much longer than the top and be careful about the watering...it'll likely be just fine.

Looks good.

[benauld]

Thanks Kat. I think I may have to try the wooden skewer technique until I'm familiar with how often they need watering now.

[otis 226]

I think they look good and agree, as long as you keep an eye out for overwatering you and your Phals should be fine.
Tony

[elona]

I'm not sure what the problem is about over potting? I was told to repot into a container so the orchid would have room to grow for 2 years? Is it good for the roots to fit into a pot tightly? How do you know how large the pot should be?

[Ron]

Hi looks like a job well done, from what I can see the only problem is with the small items used in the mix in a large pot.
You can overcome any problems caused by too wet a mix by not watering until nearly dry!
For large plants I am using a clear salad bowl with extra holes cut into it for drainage and a jumbo CoCo nuggets.
as you are unable to get them, you have used the next best material available
Good luck and keep us all updated with your results.
This is a huge learning process for all of us and you are now showing you method.
Thanks

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hi looks like a job well done, from what I can see the only problem is with the small items used in the mix in a large pot.
You can overcome any problems caused by too wet a mix by not watering until nearly dry!
For large plants I am using a clear salad bowl with extra holes cut into it for drainage and a jumbo CoCo nuggets.
Check out photos on .http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...5-flowers.html
As you are unable to get them, you have used the next best material available
Good luck and keep us all updated with your results.
This is a huge learning process for all of us and you are now showing you method.
Thanks

Check out photos on .http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...5-flowers.html

[plantloverlisa]

Hi Ben, how are the repotted Phals. doing? I had some noids my mom and sister gave me that I did in October and a couple looked like yours with a huge root system and they looked over potted compared to the plant growth, but those roots were not going in anything smaller.

[bumpman]

Here's my theory about potting small. Since phals and many others are epiphytes a small pot would reduce the amount of time the roots might be deprived of oxygen after a thorough watering. So in a large pot either large substrate would allow the same thing or with smaller substrate you would not only need great drainage but perhaps also ensuring that the substrate doesn't stay water logged for too long so that air reaches the roots. Your mix might just fit the bill because it's not all water retentive bark. That's just my two cents.

[bumpman]

P.S. I was just thinking that in SH the roots are always wet, but they always get oxygen because of the LECA. It's not about moisture but respiration. If you find your substrate staying too wet and air-clogged for too long what about some holes in the side of the plastic bowl?

[wickidgrrl]

Thanks for reminding me, that i have to get a move on with repotting myself, lol!