Repotting from ceramic orchid pot - Orchid Board

flyfishdoc · #1 11-14-2008, 02:49 PM

As any good newbie who buys his first orchid at the big store, where they are shown in "orchid pots", I dutifully bought the phal and an orchid pot. I repotted it in straight fir bark. (I will digress here and say that much to my amazement now, my orchids have survived and done well. We initially kept them in the bathroom which has a large east facing window covered with an opaque window film. Bright but not enough. They were dark green (initially we thought how healthy they looked, almost as dark as the hibiscus leaves!) When we found the Waldor site and I saw the correct color I panicked, searched, and moved them outside in July. The deck is covered, and I did manage to keep them out of afternoon sun. They got some early morning sun (deck faces NE) and the color improved. Now in the house again for a month, I have superb color and growth. One plant like this one is 1 inch into it's 3rd spike!! It just shows you how resilient orchids can be!! Lucky for us and them)
My question is, should I replant since I have 3 roots popping out of the pot? This plant is not in spike. I have another one that I recently repotted, 6 or 8 weeks ago, again into the same type of pot. Is it safe to repot a phal so soon again? Or should I wait until spring and repot all my plants then (it will be a year for all of them in their respective pots at that time) and be careful removing the roots? Or will they be too stiff to remove safely thru the holes in the pots then, which is what I fear will be the case?

Singingirl96 · #2 11-14-2008, 05:18 PM

It is ok to repot so soon, but frankly you only need to do it when you feel the medium is breaking down. On pots with holes on the side, you will have roots that will peak out, and you don't have to repot it. I like it when the roots are poking out. Orchids do like to be underpotted.
When you do repot, just try to remove it carefully. If any of them break, its ok, it'll grow back.
Good luck.

JennS · #3 11-14-2008, 05:28 PM

It is OK to repot that soon, but it is not necessary. The many holes will allow for lots of roots to come through. I agree with singing girl that they like to be underpotted a bit too, especially phals. It helps with avoiding overwatering too. My advice would be...if you don't want to risk breaking the pot or roots then go ahead and repot. Of course, if you wait, you can always soak the plant for an hour or so before (you shoudl do this anyway) which will help break less roots when unpotting. So, if that was any help, I am glad! Either way, the pot is really cute and I would want to salvage it if possible. A couple snapped roots isn't too bad either since your plants looks very healthy and happy.

By the way...17 orchids is quite an impressive number for collecting less than a year! I am hanging around 65 varities (or about 85 total) after 5 years. Looks like you are right on track!!!

flyfishdoc · #4 11-15-2008, 08:23 AM

I too like the ceramic pots.

flyfishdoc · #5 11-15-2008, 08:24 AM

New computer. I hit the wrong button too fast. I will remember to soak the pot for a while when I repot later. Thanks

Swamper · #6 11-15-2008, 10:27 AM

Man that looks really cool in that holy pot. I would leave it. So do you flyfish or what? cool name.

greenbean · #7 11-16-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennS

By the way...17 orchids is quite an impressive number for collecting less than a year! I am hanging around 65 varities (or about 85 total) after 5 years. Looks like you are right on track!!!

Hehehe, can you talk to my parents?

They think that my 7 orchids in 3 years is a lot!

Although they may also be thinking of the dozens of non-chids I got before starting in on chids.

Thanks for posting this thread flyfishdoc. I have two of my own chids that need repotting (one needed a bigger pot than I gave it to begin with

and the other has grown out of its new home already

) and I was wondering the same thing. Thanks everyone for the advice.

shakkai · #8 11-16-2008, 04:52 AM

If this were my plant, I would leave it, and leave it to grow lots of roots out through the holes. The only time it will need attention is when the bark starts to break down. Then, if the plant has attached itself to the pot strongly, you can just take the broken down medium out of the pot, leaving the plant in place - you don't have to remove the plant from the pot. You can then place new fresh bark chips in and around the roots, and voila, you will be good for another year or two.

Remember that Phals don't need to have their roots covered. The prefer to have them out in the air, so there is no need to 'cover them up'!

Very nice pot, by the way, your plant obviously likes it new home!

flyfishdoc · #9 11-16-2008, 05:04 PM

That is certainly an interesting idea to try to remove the medium and leave the plant potted. I do like the way ceramic orchid pots look. That certainly give me more options.
>)))))'> Yes, I do fly fish. Fortunately I don't have to worry about the wind and cold and not get to work with my orchid hobby this time of year!!!