Mature Phal follow-Up question

[greggnkay]

A couple of weeks ago I inquired about mature Phals and blooming. Thanks for the responses. I received the mature Phals yesterday from this well-known Miami greenhouse. I am very pleased but have 2 more questions...#1: One plant has a lower leaf which is quite large. A small portion of the leaf (approx 1" X 2") is brown. Is it okay to trim the brown off if I avoid going into living tissue? You must understand that Kay is an avid gardener and thinks 'brown is bad'! She had already been tempted to get out her pruners...lol. #2: I was surprised that these mature Phals were in 100% sphag. All of my less mature Phals have been purchased that way, but these being so mature and in sphag surprised me. One is in spike and the other in late-bloom. When should I repot? Certainly don't want to endanger the plants and there are so many roots. I will post pics tomoroow if requested.

Thanks...Gregg

[Bird Song Farm]

Hi Gregg,
I can only tell you what I would do.............
I'd cut the brown off and since you won't cut back into the living tissue, dampen the cut with water and sprinkle heavily with Cinnamon.

Large green houses usually use s. moss to grow their phals since it is easier to control the watering.
I grow all my phals in moss for that exact same reason.

Some will say to re-pot now, some will say wait until the plant stops blooming.

If you think the plant needs re-potting, phals are tough guys and you could do it now. You will have to pay special attention to watering.....

Hope this is of some help
Al