Brown patches under Phal leaves

[bizliz27]

so by re-potting do I simply just lift it out of its clear plastic pot and clear away all the old moss from the roots? Is it as easy as that? Once I've done that and cleaned out my pot do I then place it in the new mixture?

Thank you for all your help and suggestions

I dont know why - re-potting just scares me!

Elizabeth

[camille1585]

Repotting is not as scary as it seems! The first few repottings are scary, but after that you'll see that there's nothing to be worried about.
To repot you simply unpot the plant and first check in over for dead roots. Dead roots are anything that feels mushy, and you need to cut those off. Since you reuse the same pot, yes clean it out first, in case there are any nasties. And then repot with fresh medium!

If you use moss, you need to put it in not too tighly so that the roots can have a bit of air and so that the moss dries out quicker and more evenly.
If you use bark, a good idea is to tap the pot firmly on the table after adding each handful. It will help it settle better and fill in any big gaps.

Also, since the plant is in bloom, you can wait to repot if you want since it doesn't seem to be a major emergency. You can also repot it now if you want!

[bizliz27]

thank you so much for that - I think i'll give it a try when its not flowering. I'll see how it fares - it "seems" happy-ish at the moment.

I take it I dont soak the new moss like I would bark before I re-pot?

Elizabeth

[Taceas]

I always have, wet moss is easier to work with and not as brittle. I let mine soak in lukewarm water for 40-60 mins then hand squeeze most of the water out and start potting up.

But when I water I drench the entire plant with the spray, just try not to get the flowers too wet. Mine always seem sensitive to wetness for whatever reason, either getting rotten or shocked and falling off. So while some water isn't bad, I just try to not overdo it.

Orchids do grow out in the wild and rain doesn't come up halfway in their root system, but from the top down. I just make sure to do it early in the day so it has plenty of time to dry from the leaves and crotch of the plant before night and cooler temps which can promote fungus and rot.

As for my starve and binge method of fertilizing, it works for me and my orchids bloom and thrive, I don't advocate it for anyone else. It just tends to be that most people, novices especially, have a heavy hand in fertilizing. Thinking that its not enough when they add it to the water so they add a bit more, I know I'm guilty of that a time or two myself. I just like to err on the side of caution I guess. Sorry to cause any controversy.

[bizliz27]

Thank you. I'll remeber that whether I buy moss or bark - I might stay with moss as thats what it is in the pot now. I might be limited with my local gardening shops anyway! (rubbish) The starve and binge method seems to be doing well with my Phal so far, i'd rather not change something that seems to be working well, especially with my track record! Plus it also limits me in my habbit of excess watering!!

thank you again for all your help

Elizabeth

[RosieC]

It may be different down south, but here in the midlands I actually find it hard to get hold of moss, I can only get bark.

Bark can be better if you have an overwatering tendency, but use what you can feel comfortable with (or what you can get hold of).