Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian Orchid Should I repot? Getting worried now...

[lisbert]

Hi All!

It's my first post here. I have this Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian Orchid. It's my first orchid to ever rebloom, I've had it for over a year now, but I am worried it won't make it to it's 2nd year and I want to make sure it does! I was reading around that I should repot the plant after 1 year, and I was looking at it and noticed that the roots are sticking out. Do I have to repot and stick the roots back in? Is it in really bad shape already? Help!! I've attached pictures, please help!

[Lene Th.]

Im just a newcomer to, but i would not be worried about this chid. It seems healthy, both leafs and flowers. The roots sticking out of the pot seems to be air-roots, they dont like to be coverd up as usual roots, theire supposed to stick out like this.

Do you have a clear pot, if so you can see the shape of the roots, and then decide if there seems to be any rot.

Mabe you could flush up the moss a bit, it seems to be packed hard? And then you could also take a lokk at those roots under there.

[Ray]

Welcome "aboard."

Actually, Lisbert...

1) You don't have a Phal. Sogo Yukidian at all - that was just one of the parents in the hybrid made with Doritaenopsis Taisuco Wonder. Note that the label says one "x" the other, indicating a hybrid between them. What you have has been registered as Doritaenopsis Taida Wonder. (Not that it matters, the culture is still the same.) My compliments for keeping the label. Most beginners don't, then wonder why nobody can give them advice with the description no better than "an orchid".

2) The presence of aerial roots is a good thing. It suggests the plant is doing well under your care. The photo of the plants makes me think that, too.

3) However, as it has been at least a year since it has been repotted, it is likely that the interior of the potting medium is in pretty bad shape, so repotting would be a good idea. It could be that the plant has put out a lot of aerial roots to compensate for the poor in-pot conditions.

4) Do not "stick those roots back in" when you do. For one thing, they're not that flexible, so you'd likely break them. Personally, I would move that plant to a larger pot - at least 50% greater diameter than what it's in now. After that, if those roots want to work their ways into the medium, they will on their own.

[katierkincaid]

Looks good to me

[quiltergal]

Hi there. Definitely time to repot. I commend you for keeping it alive for so long potted in sphagnum moss. Most newbies kill them off within months in that medium. The leaves have good color so I think it's getting enough light. They do look a bit limp to me suggesting that they aren't getting enough water. That could be caused by a number of things. The most common is root rot. If the plant doesn't have viable roots in the medium it can't take up enough moisture to keep the leaves turgid. The other reason could be you aren't watering enough. A repot will give you a better idea of what's going on.

[nenella]

Congratulations & well done as said above!
I agree with Terri about it probably having few good roots inside the pot ; have a look and let us know...

PS: as Ray said very difficult to get the outer roots bent into the pot...but you can try & soak them (alot) like all night ..and will be a bit more supple ..but don't force them or you will definitely break them.

[andyburr]

Terri wrote....

Originally Posted by quiltergal

....They do look a bit limp to me suggesting that they aren't getting enough water. That could be caused by a number of things. The most common is root rot. If the plant doesn't have viable roots in the medium it can't take up enough moisture to keep the leaves turgid. The other reason could be you aren't watering enough. A repot will give you a better idea of what's going on.

Supposing it's the first reason--not enough viable roots in the medium--what might be done? Thanks!

[nenella]

for Andyburr :
re pot & but a bag over the leaves ? is one option ...(or, an other 'solution' sphag & bag directly)
(open it evreyday or every other day or whenever... sorry depends on your 'growing conditions' Just make sure doesnt get "over wet"..if you do see it getting too wet let it 'dry out a bit then put back in bag....." It's a long learning curve....
whatever you do the existing leaves will never ever look 100% but you can only practice "patience" as every orchid grower knows.....& wait for new leaves to grow & mature as for the older floppier ones, wait for them to go yellow and fall off !


PS: (for Lisbet) would REALLY help if we got to see the state of your roots before you do anything drastic as your plant really doesnt look SOO bad !

[jkofferdahl]

I'd repot in a pot about half again the size and using something other than sphagnum. The roots look healthy, as does the plant. Get it into a good medium which dries properly and allows good air circulation.

[bkim]

I like the look of aerial roots flying all over the place. I wouldn't try and force them into the pot. Just my opinion.