Trash...or not to trash?

[RosieC]

You are right, I've heard that about lower light after repotting. To be honest I've never actually done anything different since the first few I repotted.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by RosieC

You are right, I've heard that about lower light after repotting. To be honest I've never actually done anything different since the first few I repotted.

Me neither, I treat them the same before and after repotting. But I think beginners are brainwashed into thinking that orchids are hard to grow, fragile and picky. When I repotted my first orchid 4 years ago I was scared to death of losing it because the instructions on the bag of medium said not to water the plant for 3 weeks, to keep it in a shady spot and so on and so on. I've since discovered that orchids are some of the sturdiest plants that exist and are quite forgiving of neglect and abuse.

[flhiker]

Why the smaller pot? I have many Phals mounted and the roots are not bounded and they seem to do well. I just water a little more often.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Why the smaller pot? I have many Phals mounted and the roots are not bounded and they seem to do well. I just water a little more often.

I don't think it's a question of bound or not bound, it's how quickly the moisture in the pot is used and how much air circulation their is. If you have a lot of roots in a small pot they will suck up the moisture and dry the mix fairly quickly. If there is less roots in the pot the mix will usually stay wet much longer, especially at the center. The pores in the medium stay filled with water longer instead of air, and less air = higher risk of suffocating the roots.
I know what I'm trying to say but I'm having trouble explaining it!

[flhiker]

I understand what you mean. Maybe indoor growing it matters more. Even as humid as it is down here. My stuff dries out quick being outside.

[RosieC]

Exactly as Camille says, it's because in a small pot the medium will dry much more quickly and then you can water more often. The plant then gets more water without the problem of the medium staying water logged.

It's a good point actually that we've not mentioned, small pots really help BUT you will find you have to water more often. Just go by when the roots tell you they need watering though, when the roots turn silvery and the medium dries it's time to water again... you'll just find it is more often with smaller pots.