Should I repot this orchid? (Pictures included)

[Orchid grower]

In the past I have only repoted brand new orchids/ orchids where I could see the media had started to decompose or if it looked like something might be off.

I have read online snd it seems its recommended to repot your orchid every couple years or so.

I have one orchid that is in a 4 inch clear plastic pot and it had a lot of root growth last year. The roots wrapped around the bottom of the pot and roots are started to come out of air holes. It was last repotted in March 2019. I dont see anything wrong with the media but I am wondering if it's a good idea to repot to accommodate new root growth?? Based on the amount of roots I got last year, I am sure there will be lots again.

Please see pictures attached! And let me know if you think I should repot??

[DrDawn]

I didn't see info about what kind of orchid this is. Some like to be more potbound than others. If it is still growing (ie, not yet blooming size) than I would probably repot to make sure I didn't stunt its growth.

[Orchid grower]

Originally Posted by DrDawn

I didn't see info about what kind of orchid this is. Some like to be more potbound than others. If it is still growing (ie, not yet blooming size) than I would probably repot to make sure I didn't stunt its growth.

Thanks for your response! Sorry I should have mentioned it is a NOID Phalaenopsis. It is very much pot bound, especially the roots at the bottom which have wrapped around. It is a vigorous grower and I'm wondering if I need to repot to accommodate new growth. Thanks!

[rbarata]

I'm sure it can wait one more year, if the medium is still ok.
Some of my phals are far "worse" than yours.

[Afid]

Wow, that is quite the root system!

[JScott]

In one of the pictures, I think I see some yellow leaves. Are the leaves on the plant yellowing and falling off?

[Orchid grower]

Originally Posted by JScott

In one of the pictures, I think I see some yellow leaves. Are the leaves on the plant yellowing and falling off?

Hi, thanks for your response!

Yes, two of the bottom leaves are yellowing. I have attached some more pics!

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Orchid grower

Please see pictures attached! And let me know if you think I should repot??

If the orchid appears to be doing just fine - leaves and all, and if you're happy about the way that the orchid is growing right now, then repotting can be considered optional.

The orchid pot has developed a split or crack down the side ------ which probably doesn't matter here heheh ----- but that could be a good excuse for a repot into a bigger pot.

Right now, it appears that the roots haven't occupied anywhere near the capacity/limit of the bark-filled pot. So you can certainly choose to keep the orchid as-is.

[Orchid grower]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

If the orchid appears to be doing just fine - leaves and all, and if you're happy about the way that the orchid is growing right now, then repotting can be considered optional.

The orchid pot has developed a split or crack down the side ------ which probably doesn't matter here heheh ----- but that could be a good excuse for a repot into a bigger pot.

Right now, it appears that the roots haven't occupied anywhere near the capacity/limit of the bark-filled pot. So you can certainly choose to keep the orchid as-is.

Thank you! Sounds like the overall consensus is to wait to repot!

[JScott]

I disagree. I would repot. The roots look good, so repotting won't stress the plant, and those yellow leaves are probably just naturally senescent and getting old and falling off. I would repot it a little lower in the pot, so that the green leaves are even with the potting mix. This will make it easier for new roots to reach down into the potting mix. Phals take well to repotting, unlike some other orchids, so there's really no wrong time to repot a phal. If it were my plant, I would repot now. That also gives you a chance to set the plant a little more upright, as over time they have a tendency to lean sideways and try to climb out of the pot. Repotting is a good time to set the plants back upright in the pot so they're not all sideways in the pot