Mini Phal Potting Mix ??

[JudyC]

Newly acquired last Friday a few mini Phalaenopsis and all are in beautiful bloom. I know enough NOT to do anything to these while in bloom, .... but noticed today how tightly packed these are in moss.

Haven't watered them since Sat., as the moss is really damp (no water lying in their ceramic containers)

Question is: I've read many things stating minis should be in a "seedling type" mix, read that moss is good too. So "when" should I worry about repotting these, I worry about the roots being able to breath enough ...

Any advice is surely appreciated - ty & I apologize if I have posted in the wrong forum

I'm becoming a "nervous Nelly"

[RebelCowgirl]

Oh did you get it at a big box store like lowes? If so repot immediatley!!! I always repot all of my orchids as soon as I get them. I pot my phals with a sprag and coir mix but just sprag would be just fine.. I like to water way to much for just sprag.

[JudyC]

Originally Posted by RebelCowgirl

Oh did you get it at a bog box store like lowes?

No - bought it at a nursery. The roots look great - checked them out before buying...just wondering what medium should be in when the time comes.

They are packed tight!

ohhh and does the same principal apply - to repot in the same pot if the roots are not going thru the bottom?

[JudyC]

I do have a finer mix I purchased in case this what they do need, but am going out tomorrow - would like to know if I have to redo/and what medium I should purchase thanks

[Emma Grey]

I would pot it in whatever medium you are comfortable with. For example, I pot all of my phals in a bark mix, regardless of size.

I repot each plant as soon as I can after purchase so I can check roots and so it's in a medium I'm familiar with. Only once have I lost a few buds after reporting.

[Dendian]

Actually from what I remember the minis and the big phals like the same thing. I don't think there is any potting media difference. You use what you are comfortable using - and if you have a favorite media make sure your plants are in that.

I repot any phal in moss immediately when I get it home - blooms or no blooms! I usually leave them in moss - but I don't like tightly packed moss for the way I water - it stays too wet. I will take them out - smell the moss - if it smells ok then I will put some of it back (usually about half) and throw the rest away. If it smells bad I will replace it with fresh moss.

Moss can stay damp for weeks. Use the bamboo skewer method to see when to water - do not go by the outside moss as it can look completely dry when its still damp inside. No standing water in the dish just means its not sopping wet.

[JudyC]

~ Thank you ALL bunches!! ~

[emilyshih2002]

I got two mini Phalaenopsis in a big box store. I try to repot them into S/P and found out both of them are tightly packed moss with lots of rotten roots. Don't be deceive by the pretty flowers and leaves. The tightly packed moss is a killer.

[Jenny Ryan]

Please tell me what sprag is. I have never heard of it. Maybe I know it under a different name.

[1joyceh]

Hi and welcome to the forum Jenny Ryan!
It is short for sphagnum moss

[zaeem]

I agree on repotting in your familiar mix.They are packed in plastic with one hole so watering could be lethal unless skewer method is adopted to test the wet mix.delay watering if wet for a week should be ok.
Iam often tempted NOT TO repot if in bloom?

[Emma Grey]

Zaeem, I don't know about other types of orchids, but I always repot new phals, even if they are in bloom. I've only had one plant react by dropping buds. The rest have made the transition with no problems.

[Jlie]

I repot immediately too, and my blooms have come to no harm. I think the biggest stress would be snapping roots and/or changing mediums, so if in bloom and potted in sphag, I wouldn't stick it into S/H until much later (when new growth appears rule!). But if you're just pulling it out and sticking into a bigger pot, just do it. Pain in the butt w/ the bigger bloomers tho, spike and all getting in the way XD

As for mini-phals, I'm still tinkering with mine. The only ones to die on me have been mini-phals, they are PICKY! I had three, two died. They bloom themselves to death! Later, I was given two dying ones from the store for free and tried to rescue them, nuh-uh. The leaves firmed up and stayed that way for weeks but NO roots. Stubborn!

The one I have that's alive and well is in very airy sphag (potted neofinetia style). The princess requires spraying every day, morning and afternoon. It thinks it's a mount! I'm contemplating moving it into S/H.

Anyway, so I recommend airier conditions, just watch out for dehydration. Mine absolutely hated changing mediums.

[JudyC]

Well to update my mini change over, well 3 out of 4 minis kind of slumped in the transition. (2-3weeks later). When unpacked 2 minis had next to no roots & I believe it was my doing for not replanting sooner. It was jammed packed and I believe not enough air.

Nursing these finicky little divas since changing medium, but so far so good. *fingers crossed* providing lots of humidity & sprintzing leaves daily, and a tad less light.

1 is well with the world since changeover, & have left it's world alone, 1 seems to be on the mend, 2 are daily "watchers" hovering twix netherworld & earth lol

[elona]

I like the advice Clouds orchids give regarding repotting orchids because it works for me. Repotting Orchids I respect their advice because their orchids are awesomely healthy and continue to thrive in my kitchen window sills. I also respect Ray's advice when it comes to s/h potting phals. The systems are different but both work well. My phals thrive in s/h system too. I have learned not to give my orchids too much TLC.

[otis 226]

Judy, I agree with the above advice to use potting materials you feel comfortable with. They all work well, just depends on your watering and conditions. I, like most everyone mentioned, do like to repot most all my phals as soon as I get them home. I have some in sphag, some in bark mixes and others, mounted, (which seem to do the best for me, usually). The second Phal I bought is the only one I never repotted for a year, and it did better than all the others, (I'll be posting bloom pics in future, as its in spike now). That doesn't mean I don't still believe in repotting most all newly acquired Phals, its just that particular one was in a clear pot, had great roots and the fir bark mix looked fresh and apparently it was. I know most wouldn't agree with my keeping my phals in so many different types of mixes, but I like to experiment and see what works best in certain locations I grow them in. I'm starting to find that most of my healthy Phals take more light than is generally advised for them as well. Its all a learning curve. Maybe someday I won't consider myself the PHALINATOR
Best,
Tony