Only repot when you think the potting medium is breaking (or broken) down. If you start using clear pots (like the plants tend to come in from the grocery stores) then you can monitor this. I've been able to intercept mold, algae, little plants, etc. by watching the pot and roots. So the answer to your question of wrong or right is "maybe". Repotting doesn't shock a Phal unless done too frequent (like 3-4 times a year.) I tend to aim for annually, but I have some plants (not Phals) that I have missed for a few years. Current activity in the roots is great. Great time to repot, if plant needs repotting.

From what I have seen in my phals, I think that repotting seems to stimulate root growth. They do sulk a few weeks, but after that the roots grow like crazy. Like I said, this is from my experience, so I don't know if you're right or wrong!

I generally find that phals breeze thru the repotting. Some do slow down in growth for a couple of weeks (as already mentioned) but they will come back with great growth.
The drawback to not repotting (IME) is root rot. Becareful with broken down sphag. It turns into mush not allowing air to the root zone.
The best time to repot a phal is when you're seeing new root growth.

Don't be afraid to repot if you're orchids need it.

Thanks all,

I pulled a lot of the sphag away from the plant to check the roots. There are strong roots in the medium. So I removed a lot of the moist sphag and replaced with soil.

I also used a thin stake to aerate the pot by gently poking the stake into the medium. I'll let it be (watering ) for a bit and see how things turn out. But keeping an eye on the new ariel roots. When I have watered it, the water does run through it and out of the base.

I'll keep you posted.

<<So I removed a lot of the moist sphag and replaced with soil.>>

PJG,

I hope you did not use potting soil. :scratchhead: It is way too heavy a potting mix for Phals., which are actually epiphytes living in nature on trees. (hence all your "sexy" aerial roots looking for a new foothold!) A medium, or equal parts medium and fine rinsed fir bark, mixed with some perlite would serve you better.

CL

Soil? It's not good for orchids. You may want to try bark or other mediums. I have mine in bark and S/H. I used soil when I first started this orchid hobby and killed them.

OK, maybe soil was a bad word. I keep a bag that is a really mixed up mix. Not just plain soil.

What I replaced (and it was not that much), because I was only checking the roots, was a mixture from another orchid that was left over.

What I've found, is this mixture I have from other plants, including orchids is working really well. :)

Will that make everyone sleep easier? :rofl:

And trust me, I'm taking in what the OB people say.
:D

Someone mentioned to spray/mist the the roots with water.
So I've been doing that, and the silver looking roots turn green.
There is also more activity from the stem in between the leaves, but I can't get a good photo yet. I'm hoping one is a spike.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...pike:roots.JPG

This is from the ariel roots images.
The leaf on the right, has a root growing right into the middle of it. Anything I can do, or just let it be?

On the left, does it look like a spike and another root, or 2 roots?

Remember these are from the ariel root orchid. Appreciate any advice.
Peter

I guess I'm just brain-dead but is the pic above showing a basilar keiki with new roots? Or is this a phal that got crown rot and has produced new basilar growth? For now I'd just leave well enough alone and see how the chid grows. But then maybe I'm just missing something in your question....sorry for my stupidity!