Repotted and cut stem of Phal.- I have ?s

[cl3322]

Please take a look in my album, youll be able to see what my Phal. looked like before and what it looks like now.

1-Did I cut the stem low enough?

2-Do the roots look like they're okay in the bark mix I repotted it in?

3-Do the roots look like they're getting enough water? (I use distilled water and let it run in a cycle -pour water, watch it drain, pour again, etc. until it looks like it's all moist and isnt retaining anymore. I then place it in the white pot after it stops dripping.)

4-Do I need a fertilizer?

I would really appreciate feedback, I badly want my orchid to grow back and bloom.
Thank you!

Also, if you have any advice please be very very specific, I'm still trying to catch on to even the most obvious things reguarding orchids.

[RosieC]

Hi,

1. Your stem looks about right to me. You could try and cut it lower but you would have to be really careful not to damage the plant in the process. The place you have cut it will be fine so I would just leave it like that myself.

2. The roots look OK to me but I'm not an expert on repotting (in fact I keep having problems when I repot). Can you hold it up by the leaves and it stays in the pot? I keep hearing that is a test after repotting a Phal.

3. Your roots look wet enough to me. They look green which shows that they are wet. They should turn silvery white before you water again, then water until they look green enough. Waiting until they go silver (including those roots lower in the pot) is a good way to ensure you don't overwater. Your watering method sounds good to me.

4. I like to use fertiliser. I use one specific for Orchids but it is a UK brand and I'm not sure what is available where you are. The advise is to use a fairly balanced fertiliser and use it 'weakly weekly'.

A tip for getting it to bloom again is to keep it healthy and growing through the year (to give it strength), then over the winter allow it to have a night-time drop in temp. This night-time drop in temp is what is generally agreed to trigger a new spike on a Phal.