Couple questions about my new phal - Orchid Board

sheiman · #1 06-19-2009, 06:07 PM

I just bought another new phal today and it appears to have a new spike or two but I'm not sure. I believe one may be a spike and one a root.

My guess is that this is a spike...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/...818dee.jpg?v=0

And this is a root....am I right?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/...b5c93c.jpg?v=0

And another thing I noticed was some white stuff around some of the roots. You can see it a little below and left of the center of this pic:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/...0f9b37.jpg?v=0

What is this stuff and is it bad?!

Oh and here's a pic of my lovely new phal blooms.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/...519c42.jpg?v=0

Zdenglan · #2 06-19-2009, 07:14 PM

The first one is deffo a spike, the other one certainly does look like a root. As to the white stuff, not sure, the res of the picture is not good enough to see it clearly. Have you tried to have look at it with a magnifying glass? I guess it will be harmless but you can never be sure until you have a good look at it.

Zoi2 · #3 06-19-2009, 07:32 PM

Your phal is very pretty and I agree the first pic looks like a spike, the 2nd looks like a root. The white stuff kind of looks like mold on the moss. Are you planning on repotting?
Joann

sheiman · #4 06-19-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Your phal is very pretty and I agree the first pic looks like a spike, the 2nd looks like a root. The white stuff kind of looks like mold on the moss. Are you planning on repotting?
Joann

I'm not sure yet about repotting, is that something that you should typically do when you first get a new orchid? I know it's good to take a look at the roots no matter what though.

Zoi2 · #5 06-19-2009, 08:40 PM

I would say most of us repot the day we get the plants. When you buy a plant you have no idea how long it's been in the media. By repotting you can check the roots and provide fresh potting media.
Joann

sheiman · #6 06-19-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I would say most of us repot the day we get the plants. When you buy a plant you have no idea how long it's been in the media. By repotting you can check the roots and provide fresh potting media.
Joann

Good to know, I didn't realize. I need to pick up some new media so that I can repot this weekend!

sheiman · #7 06-19-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I would say most of us repot the day we get the plants. When you buy a plant you have no idea how long it's been in the media. By repotting you can check the roots and provide fresh potting media.
Joann

And it's ok to repot while the plant is still in bloom? For some reason I thought it was best to wait till the plant was done blooming.

cabbo · #8 06-19-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheiman

And it's ok to repot while the plant is still in bloom? For some reason I thought it was best to wait till the plant was done blooming.

Phals are ok to repot in bloom. Some others are more touchy about it.

sheiman · #9 06-20-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabbo

Phals are ok to repot in bloom. Some others are more touchy about it.

Good to know! I need to make a habit of repotting when I first get a new one.

dounoharm · #10 06-20-2009, 10:05 AM

repotting phals in bloom doenst seem to bother them much as long as you disturb the roots as little as possible....pick out all the old moss gently....i use bark for my phals, but its pretty much an individual choice....i put the bark in around the plant and shake the pot some to settle the bark around the roots....i have found that phals like to be potted a little more loosely than say cattleyas who like a tight pot....gl and enjoy! thats a very pretty phal!