What do you think? Time to repot?

[iwannie24]

My phal is currently growing in a small plastic dish and seems to be pretty stable (pic), but I have a slightly larger 4" terra cotta pot with a plastic dish that fits. Since the plant seems to have reached its growing capacity in its current dish and appears stable, I think it's time to move it to a bigger home so it can get a little bigger, but I've been told some plants are sensitive to being moved too much. Thoughts? I would not be changing the medium (just mixing it a little to freshen) - only moving it to another pot.

[bearded orchid]

Unless the roots have outgrown the pot, I would leave it in the same container and just change out the medium for fresh. Phalaenopsis don't grow laterally much, just up. It looks a little dehydrated. How often do you water it?

[Johnny B]

I agree with bearded orchid, looks like it needs some H2O

[Daethen]

Agreed. No reason to change the size of the pot. New medium would help and some water.

[orchids4me]

How long have you had it in this pot and this medium, or did it come in this pot and medium? Usually if its new I repot it to check its roots and give it fresh medium and don't repot a phal again unless a problem or the media starts breaking down. Usually about a year 1/2 to 2 years on Phals. This is why I'm asking if it came in this media. If you potted it in the past year it should be good unless you see it breaking down. I agree it needs to be watered more. What is the media its currently in ??

[iwannie24]

I usually water it once per week. I soak it in distilled water for 15-25 minutes and then let it drain in the sink. I've had it in this pot and medium for maybe about 6 months now. I got it at Lowe's and took it out of the mossy stuff they keep their plants in and put it in this little dish with Super Moss Orchid Soil Mix that I found on Amazon. It's got small chunks of bark and some stringy green stuff (not sure if it's moss or what). I don't think the medium is breaking down, and it's been less than a year, but what signs should I look out for when this starts happening?

Also, since everyone agrees it needs more watering, would it be enough if I perform my same watering routine twice per week instead of once?

[bearded orchid]

If you're soaking it once a week that should be enough. The problem could arise from poor root health. With an unhealthy root system, the plant will also become dehydrated. I would pull it out and check the roots. Healthy ones are firm and appear greenish gray with bright green to red colored tips. Dead roots are brown or white and will be hollow or mushy to the touch. Cut off the dead ones with a sterile pair of shears or razor.

Depending on the roots' condition you may have to adjust watering or the type of medium you are using. Phal roots like to breath and need good air circulation. They don't like to be kept soggy but need constant moisture. Thus, a good rule of thumb would be to water based on the weight of the pot. Get a feel for the weight after watering as well as when it's dry and then water when the pot is light.

I just had a thought concerning the leaves. Did they look like that when you bought it or were they more perked up? The reason most of us assumed dehydration was because the leaves appear wilted and, for a lack of a better word, floppy. Healthy leaves are firm and splay outwards rather than laying like a Basset Hound ear. Sort of like the difference between an uncooked piece of spaghetti and a cooked one. If they were wilted prior that might explain it. Just see if they are smooth and firm to the touch.

Ask for what to look for, dehydration can take the appearance of wilted leaves and wrinkled leaves. As mentioned earlier it can be from a lack of water or lack of good roots. Media compression and decomposition will also signal a need for repotting. This will be noted by the media taking longer to dry than normal.

[skipper]

Good advice from Phil. The roots may not be in very good health. Are you watering with anything other than the distilled water? As far as watering goes, you should water when needed and not because it is the correct day of the week. Some weeks the plant will dry faster, and some alittle slower. I think you will find however, that the roots may be in poor shape. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Dale

[iwannie24]

I have been watering with just distilled water for the past month or so to "flush out". Normally there is fertilizer mixed in. I'll resume that fairly soon I think.

The leaves do look a little floppy, but I think they are still recovering from when I had it in its original water-retentive medium that I bought it in. I've tried to demonstrate in the second picture that they are semi-rigid by holding up a leaf with a finger. It doesn't curve around my finger, so it can at least support its own weight. They are still wrinkly and could improve though.

I went ahead and repotted and put it in just a slightly bigger round pot. The third picture of its roots is a concern to me. There are a number of dead roots that I cut off (the brown ones), but the healthiest looking ones were these big, fat, firm white ones (not green/grey). Are those bad too? Maybe they are just fat and white because I watered them maybe 4 days ago or so? They were the only things that appeared to be growing under the surface so I didn't cut them off.

In the first picture, you can see roots that started to grow but stopped, presumably because they were too new of growth to be so exposed. I made sure they were put under the bark now so maybe they'll be reinvigorated.

I also freshened up the existing medium by mixing in some new stuff. The bottom 1" or so in the pot had become packed down and was a little damp so I tried to keep it loose this time around.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated!

[bearded orchid]

The white plump roots are all healthy. They should get bigger with time. Considering the small amount of roots, I'm a little concerned that you said you upped the pot size a little. I would actually lessen the pot size so as not to overpot the plant. That prevents the medium from staying to wet and suffocating the roots and allows for more even drying.

[Emma Grey]

I agree with Phil. I would put that plant in the smallest container possible so it dries out quickly. If it stays too wet (which it will if it's overpotted) it'll kill the roots.

[skipper]

I second what Phil has just said. When I first started to grow Phals. I was quilty of over potting. It just seemed like the right thing to do. Give those roots some "room" to grow. That is the fastest way to rot Phal. roots. The mix will stay wet to long because there are no roots to take up the moisture. Also the leaf that you said is alittle wrinkly, may or may not come back. It may just stay looking like it is now, so there is nothing you can do about that. Look at the new growth, to get an idea of how things are going. You can also pot it up in a clear pot so you can "see" the moisture around the roots and in the mix. It will make a great deal of difference in how often you water. Good luck and don't give up. If by chance it does not make it, get another one and learn from the first one. Maybe just get another one now, and have two. Good luck

Dale