Remove sponge in center of mini phal?

[Denizf]

Hi there,
I tried to search for this but couldn’t find anything that came up.
I bought a mini phal two months ago and it’s been doing great, pictures below.
It’s in bark but there’s a stupid sponge in the middle. Should I bother removing this? It’s been blooming really well (though winding down now), roots are fantastic, growing a new leaf.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, or will this sponge be an issue?

Thank you!
Deniz

[Grim Tuesday]

I say don't remove it. I have never killed a plant by leaving a little extra old medium, even if it's not ideal. I have killed a plant by trying to remove all the old stuff (and by being too afraid to repot because I couldn't remove all the old stuff).

[Denizf]

Thanks!
In the past I’ve messed around with them more, but that’s when they come in sphagnum and have rotten roots. This is the healthiest orchid I’ve ever bought, from a small town grocery store of all places.

[rbarata]

I believe the sponge will be a problem in the long run.
It might become a shortcut for roting issues as the medium (and the sponge) degradates.
When repoting, one doesn't need to remove everything. What I do is to let water run all over the root ball to loose what is not firmly attached to the roots. What doesn't come out, will remain there.
Anyway, I think it doesn't need a repot right now, maybe a few more months (phals can be repoted in any time of the year).

[Louis_W]

Its not exactly a sponge, it is a premade plug used for starter plants. It shouldnt be a problem in there. I certainly think it would ve more harmful to remove it.

[Denizf]

Thank you!
It looks like opinion might end up being divided. I’ve learned to let plants alone if they appear happy and healthy, so for the time being I’ll leave it.
In a few months time I would like to repot it in nice fresh bark, because the sponge/plug does retain more water than the rest of the bark medium it’s in.
This is the best looking orchid I’ve found in my area (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) - I’ve tried all the usual stores as well as nurseries and florists and they all come in compacted sphagnum with some degree of rotten roots. You know you’re an orchid geek when you’re excited about plump green roots

[Relemitty]

I have NoId phals from Trader Joes that were potted in bark but had a plastic basket in the center of the root ball that was filled with Peat moss.
When I repotted those, I took a pair of wire cutters and clipped the plastic basket and removed it.
The roots in and around the basket were more rotted but the roots in the bark were great.
I would agree with everybody to not change anything but someday, when you do decide to repot, remove that sponge/plug/thing and pot in your favorite medium

[Denizf]

Thanks! From past experience I’ll wait until at least the new leaf has grown in, whenever I’ve repotted while they’re starting out they stay small and sad

[dbarron]

I've never had anything I couldn't remove from a plant during repot with careful effort, clever fingers, and some soaking.
The only thing that ever balked me was a plant that had grown attached to a clay pot. I learned clay is not a good media for some species that attach strongly.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by dbarron

I've never had anything I couldn't remove from a plant during repot with careful effort, clever fingers, and some soaking.
The only thing that ever balked me was a plant that had grown attached to a clay pot. I learned clay is not a good media for some species that attach strongly.

When I have a plant that has roots adhered to a clay pot, I just break the pot, take what comes off easily and leave the shards attached to roots. An important reason for not using a decorative pot - terracotta pots are cheap and easy to replace. You wouldn't want to have to break a nice one.