Newly repotted phalenopsis - too much water? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

RosieC · #11 06-29-2009, 04:25 PM

Bear in mind that mine was too big for that pot, I should have gone up a size.

I'm not sure I know the right point to go up a pot size myself yet. I'm still experimenting. That one I got wrong by staying put when I should have gone up a size. Jury is still out on another one which I DID put up a pot size, which had less roots than that one, not sure yet if I should have left that one in the old pot.

Anyway, my current principle is that when it's in bark, the bark should dry within about one week, two at the most. If it takes any longer to dry then it is probably overpotted. Of course drying time also depends on enviroment but Staffodshire is not that far from me in the West Midlands so we're probably quite similar.

The one in the pics is drying within about three days and I know it's underpotted, the second one I mentioned is still damp after a week and two days and I'm keeping an eye on it.

One danger if it is overpotted is that it dries at the edges but is still damp in the center. I've not worked out yet how to check for that on the second one I mentioned.

RosieC · #12 06-29-2009, 04:33 PM

I should have also said that I too am concerned about squishing and breaking roots, but I've found mine have coped with one or two getting broken while repotting.

Apart from the latest one I've always got them back in the old pot somehow, all have been reasonably difficult (the pictured one was the worst). I try and break as few as possible but always break some and all the ones I have repotted since April (six orchids) seem to have coped with it.

I'm actually more concerned about my latest one and should I have moved it up a size or not.

Singingirl96 · #13 06-29-2009, 06:10 PM

I think you'll be fine. Just make sure all the condensation is gone before you water it again. once a week might be plenty for you.

camille1585 · #14 06-29-2009, 06:45 PM

I also think it might be overpotted. Phals (and orchids and general) really do much better potbound. Generally when I repot, the 'rule' I have for myself is 'if I can fit it back in the same pot, it's fine. If not, got up one size'. All my phals have massive root systems in their pots, and the medium dries out really evenly and really quickly compared to phals in pots that are too big.

nenella · #15 06-29-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singingirl96

I think you'll be fine. Just make sure all the condensation is gone before you water it again. once a week might be plenty for you.

Rosie I agree with singingirl & would also add my

worth ... don't forget to take into consideration the root 'colour 'at the same time too to define if it needs watering or not?

Also, the 'skewer method' is another idea to use if you are unsure about watering a plant. I have found that by trying to put the skewer going through the 'middle' part of the pot (where we can't see) gives one a much better idea If watering is necessary or can wait another day or 2 ?It's mostly the central/middle roots that rot?
(obviously best time is at a repot) or by slowly & carefully 'twirling' the skewer into the medium & 'feeling' for the roots.

I think your plant looks fine even though, as you suggest it maybe should have gone into a larger pot.. just keep on 'watching' & keep us posted. For the moment it's looks perfectly healthy to me!

RosieC · #16 06-30-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nenella

Rosie I agree with singingirl & would also add my

worth ... don't forget to take into consideration the root 'colour 'at the same time too to define if it needs watering or not?

Also, the 'skewer method' is another idea to use if you are unsure about watering a plant. I have found that by trying to put the skewer going through the 'middle' part of the pot (where we can't see) gives one a much better idea If watering is necessary or can wait another day or 2 ?It's mostly the central/middle roots that rot?
(obviously best time is at a repot) or by slowly & carefully 'twirling' the skewer into the medium & 'feeling' for the roots.

I think your plant looks fine even though, as you suggest it maybe should have gone into a larger pot.. just keep on 'watching' & keep us posted. For the moment it's looks perfectly healthy to me!

I feel a bit guilty because in trying to help Alison I've ended up getting advice on mine

The one in the pics is doing well and I'm going to leave it where it is for at least a year. Definately underpotted but it's happy so no problem.

I'm going to use your skewer method to check the center of the medium on the one which is on the verge of being overpotted. Watering weekly is going to be too much for it (from the root colour after a week).

Anway, sorry Alison for the diversion of this thread.

alison42 · #17 07-01-2009, 04:30 PM

So should I were to consider putting it back in the old pot, and if so, how long should I give it before I make that decision?

RosieC · #18 07-01-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm afraid I'm not sure on that. I would try using nenella's suggestion of 'twirling' a wooden skewer in to the medium near the center. Leave it in for at least several hours, then pull it out to see if it is damp. Put it back in the same place so you can do this whenever you want to test.

If you find that it is drying out in arround a couple of weeks them my guess is that it will be OK. But don't water each time until it has dried out in the center.

That's what I'm planning with the one of mine which I'm not sure if I've overpotted.

nenella · #19 07-01-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alison42

So should I were to consider putting it back in the old pot, and if so, how long should I give it before I make that decision?

Alison, again only my 2cents worth, (based on your description of having inches of bark round the roots, which are now no longer visible in your new pot ) I would say unpot & Try & pot back into the original pot I have a funny feeling you won't have to "squash" the roots back in as Rosie did.
In my experience re-potted phals do ALOT better "squashed" like Rosies example than "floating" in medium. But, It really depends on your growing conditions & the best advice I can give is to watch the roots & the moisture round them like a ....'hawk' so as to give the plant the best conditions. - If you look out for the signs They (the plants) "speak" to you.

stever_sl · #20 07-26-2009, 02:16 PM

[QUOTE=RosieC;235508]I should have realised when I had so much trouble getting it back in the pot that it needed to go up, but it's doing well still in the old pot so it can wait till next time I repot. This one SHOULD have gone up a pot size.QUOTE]

I'm brand new here, I just discovered this forum today, but I'd give a lot to have plants with roots like the ones in these pix! I've tried every kind of advice and still have enormous trouble keeping orchids alive, let alone flowering, but it's great to see others proving that it can be done!