Repotting rootbound Phalaenopsis

[editorbob]

Yesterday I repotted my Phal. First, I soaked the new potting medium (coconut chunks and chips) overnight, and soaked the plant for more than an hour before starting. Here's the plant out of the pot before cleaning:

Turned out that the phal was not only severely rootbound, but that many of the roots had dead or desiccated sections. Taking heart from those who said don't be afraid to cut, I removed the dead parts, some of which you can still see in this photo:

I followed jrodpad's and Izzie's tips, and everything seemed to go well. Here the phal is in its new home. It seems quite happy this morning:

My hearty thanks to everyone who replied and made such good suggestions! It gives me heart to tackle more repotting, which I need to do soon. Wish me luck!

(PS: I'm also new to posting photos -- hope everyone can see them all right!)

[jrodpad]

Nicely done editorbob! The first time you repot is so nerve racking. Great pics too.

I hadn't realized that the phal was in bloom - usually, unless the phal was in distress, I would wait until the blooms had run their course and dropped off the spike before repotting. Repotting while in bloom can cause the flowers to drop off prematurely. I've learned that with repotting timing is everything. That said, I've had to repot a phal in bloom once and there were no adverse affects. It looks like your phal is happy in its new home.

Nice work!

-J

[editorbob]

I would have mentioned it, but I obviously didn't realize it was an issue. I will absolutely keep it in mind with future repots, as I have several different species the will need attention soon and I want to do right by each one. Thanks!

[camille1585]

I think the entire 'don't repot while in bloom because it's bad for the blooms' thing is a myth, at least for phals. I repot everything as soon as it comes through the door, and usually the phals are in spike/bloom. I never lost a bloom, and the plants never skipped a beat.

It's funny that you say timing is everything J, because what I've learned in my experience is that timing doesn't really matter, unless it's Onc type plants.

[Izzie]

I agree with Camille. I, and several others on here, have rarely, if ever had problems with repotting while in bloom- I've never lost buds, unless I knocked them off.
The health of the plant comes first in my opinion.


About the CHC- that you soaked for only one night worries me. CHC is inherently very salty. Most people soak for several days no matter where they get it from, switching out the water each day.

Where did you get the CHC from? If they claimed that it was pre-rinsed, then I'm sure it's fine. But just for the future- I'd soak longer.
And I soak with boiling water the first couple times no matter the media, because it helps leach color and open the pores more so it holds water better.

[Izzie]

In any case- it looks like you did a great job, and you have some great roots there.
You can water with SuperThrive or KLN for a bit to give it a headstart if you like.

Also, I don't know if it was intentional- but good plan setting the plant so that it's "tipped over" a little- that's how Phals grow naturally in the wild, to keep water from sitting in the crown and causing it to rot.

[jrodpad]

Interesting. Thanks Camille.

I'm still fairly green when it comes to orchid care, so I defer to your greater experience on this one. I've never had an issue with loosing blooms when repotting phals either. I did have an issue when repotting a psychopsis while in bloom - but it's part of the onc alliance so as you note oncs may be the exception to the myth. I don't grow cats (yet) but I hear that cats can sulk if you repot at the wrong time. No idea if there's any truth to that or if that's a bit of orchid lore too.

Regardless of the genera, I tend to wait to see evidence of root growth before repotting unless the plant is under stress or there's some other mitigating factor. I feel like if the orchid is focusing on throwing out new roots whatever small amount of damage I do to the existing roots by repotting is offset by the new growth.

That said, when it comes to orchid care I'm a complete pragmatist - if it works, it works.

-J

[Izzie]

Very good J- I don't repot without active growth unless absolutely necessary.

I had to repot a C. intermedia with about 95% rotted roots, and it hasn't gone downhill, but hasn't done much of anything after a month now- so it's sulking a bit.
I keep telling it to get over itself and get going.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

Interesting. Thanks Camille.

I'm still fairly green when it comes to orchid care, so I defer to your greater experience on this one. I've never had an issue with loosing blooms when repotting phals either. I did have an issue when repotting a psychopsis while in bloom - but it's part of the onc alliance so as you note oncs may be the exception to the myth. I don't grow cats (yet) but I hear that cats can sulk if you repot at the wrong time. No idea if there's any truth to that or if that's a bit of orchid lore too.

Regardless of the genera, I tend to wait to see evidence of root growth before repotting unless the plant is under stress or there's some other mitigating factor. I feel like if the orchid is focusing on throwing out new roots whatever small amount of damage I do to the existing roots by repotting is offset by the new growth.

That said, when it comes to orchid care I'm a complete pragmatist - if it works, it works.

-J

Don't take my word for it, that's just what I found from personal experience! I've heard that about the Catts, and I only have one that I usually repot when it's putting out new growths. Same with the Oncs,and some of my dens, that way the new roots adapt to the new medium. But for everything else I grow I usually repot in the summer (that's when I have time to repot!) and don't pay much attention to timing.

[editorbob]

Looks like I inadvertently started an interesting discussion. Thanks for the ongoing education! My late wife, who I inherited the orchids from, was a pretty brave caregiver -- she'd repot whenever she saw evidence of a plant needing the room. I'm still way to much of a nervous novice to go for it. Still, as I've managed to murder a couple out of timidity since I've taken over the care, I know I need to step up. This has been an encouraging first try for me. Makes me glad I joined the Board, too -- it's proving worth its weight in good advice!