Bought two "no name" phals today

[Helen]

I just bought two no name phals today. What a deal, $5.00 each including the clay pot, on the markdown table.. LOL...except, they need some real TLC, some roots need trimming and are squished at the bottom of the pot. Some are starting to dry out at the tips, due to lack of care.
I have a couple of questions.
1. Can I repot them without disturbing the last few buds on them? or should I leave them alone until the blooms open and finish (keep in mind, I've never had a blooming orchid in the house yet).
2. Why do these big box stores sell phal's with no name? They are regulary $20...which I don't think I'd pay for a no name?
Or, am I missing something here?
It'll be a big surprise to find out what colours I've purchased!
FirstTimer

[Lagoon]

Bonjour FT ( do you have a real name we can all call you)

Good little deal and blooming, nice!!!
Normally when I get new orchids, I run a quicky check for insects on leaves and pick some of the media out of the pot to get a closer look at the roots for again insects and any root rot that might be going on.

If all checks out to be okay then, cuz that could always change I leave it alone for the time being.
I don't know what kinda media it's in, what is it?

Within a few days ... I will repot and spray down for insects regardless if I see them or not. I've noticed spider mites tend to be present no matter where the orchid comes from, "In my experience"

I keep all my new 'chids in aside from all others for about 4 weeks. I have not found that repotting during a blooming stage hasn't really effected the plants flowering period.

Enjoy your new chids

[cb977]

I repot every plant that comes home the day it gets here, whether it's in bloom or not. I want to see what's going on underneath In my experience, it hasn't ever caused a problem. If anything, it gave me the opportunity to correct some problems that I wouldn't have known about otherwise
It gives me the chance to see if there are bad roots or insects or any sort of "yuck" that I don't want and take care of it immediately.

[smartie2000]

If the plants are not planted in a medium you are comfortable with, I suggest that you repot them. Phals are in bloom for a long time, and the plants will suffer more. I have repotted phals in bloom and bud, no problem.

Phals have no tags because some nurseries sell off their accidentally unlabelled plants to the big box stores.
Also it might just be cheap mass produced plants that are supposed to be used as disposable ones (nursuries don't always label other plants either that serve just as just a disposable floral gift/decoration).
Another reason is that the public is pulling the labels out and misplacing them.
Of course not all big box stores sell unlabelled plants, it depends on the shipment.

[Helen]

Thanks Gloria. The medium is a smallish bark with a shredded kind of straw looking stuff-maybe some type of spaghnum...I'm going to send a picture in a few minutes. Thanks for the potting info.

[Helen]

Gloria and Fren and anyone else who might be interested. Here's what the roots of my new plants look like. I thought they were in pretty good shape...looking thru the clear plastic....luckily I could see them.
HELEN (FirstTimer)

[Helen]

HEY! I finally figured out how to post pictures! Hooray!
Thanks for your help with that a week back Fren!
Helen (FirstTimer)

[Helen]

Thanks Fren. I did some research and I read tonight that the big box stores sell hybrid phals that can be traced back to Phal amabilis. And, their coloration from Phal sanderiana and Phal schilleriana. But, I guess I'll never know for sure...but for the price...can't beat the beauty...
Helen (FT)

[Helen]

Thanks Susanne...good advice...I just wanted to clean up the roots, but not at the expense of the buds, so, looks like everyone is in agreement that the buds won't be harmed.
Helen (FirstTimer)

[smartie2000]

Looks like a healthy plants with good roots! Thats a excellent buy at that price.

I'd repot this one Im not sure what media it is in but I'm sure it is one that can be easily over watered since it looks very moisture retaining. It looks like coconut husks, peat and maybe bark