Phal repotting advice - Orchid Board

gallia · #1 08-03-2010, 03:36 PM

Hi! I'm new to the forums (and frankly, to orchid ownership)

This was my VERY FIRST orchid. Got him in February, he flowered for probably at least a month before blooms started to drop. I freaked when the flower stalk turned brown, I thought I had killed him! Anyways, after internet researching I decided to cut back to the base to encourage growth. And oh boy, did he! He's grown two new leaves since then, and the older leaves are definitely much bigger.

For the last month or so, he's began growing these aerial roots. I've heard conflicting advice from people I know who grow some orchids, so I thought I'd post pics up and get a general consensus: should I repot now (even though its the "wrong" season)? Note: I'm in the Pac NW. We've had a slow, cold start to the summer, but my apartment gets pretty warm. When is the "right" season to repot phals if our seasons are weird?

marydaniellesantos · #2 08-03-2010, 04:02 PM

You can repot Phalaenopsis orchids at any time, even when they are in bloom. Yours looks to have a very healthy root system, and it looks like it could use a repotting. When you repot, rinse the old media off the roots, then repot. It helps to soak the bark for 24 hours before you repot though. Other than that, its pretty basic stuff.

Welcome to the OB!

RosieC · #3 08-03-2010, 06:53 PM

Welcome to Orchid Board

It's fine to repot Phals any time. I tend to prefer spring, summer or autum (that's fall to you americans

) as they can go semi-dormant in winter, but any time is fine.

I agree that yours looks like it could do with re-potting. Just be carefully about buring the arial roots too deep. They have grown talored to grow in the air and as a result can rot if buried too deep and kept too damp. I often but them just under the surface.

Zoi2 · #4 08-03-2010, 11:41 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I would also add: when repotting, use a pot just large enough for the root mass. Over potting can keep the medium too wet.
Joann

CTB · #5 08-04-2010, 08:09 AM

Welcome. It's time to repot, looks real healthy and should do great. Remember to keep the pot small. You have over 14,000 members willing to help out, so be sure and ask. Enjoy!