Is it the right time to repot from bark to S/H?

[LuizaG]

Hello

I have this phalaenopsis with pretty good root system, the existing roots seem to start new green tips but no new roots coming from the crown yet. The leafs system looks like it has been to war...

I want to switch to semi-hydroponics, I already have the pot and Hydroton but not sure it is the right time or I should wait a little longer? If I should wait, how long?
These are the roots one month ago:


This is the plant now:

[Zoi2]

No, it is not yet time to replant in s/h. You need new root growth, I usually wait until the new roots are about an inch long. The old roots will die once you replant, the new roots will be the only thing sustaining the plant until it gets settled in it's new environment.
Joann

[LuizaG]

Hi, Thanks for the advice. Would new growth mean roots straight from the crown?

If I keep the orchid in a warm environment (around 22 - 25 centigrade) would it help grow new roots sooner?

[Zoi2]

Yes, new growth roots from the base of the plant. If the plant is healthy and happy, the roots will grow. Right now with the cooler temps, spikes should be starting.
Joann

[RosieC]

I agree, look out for brand new roots from the base of the plant in the spring and move to S/H then. For now I would allow it to cool and flower and this is the best time of year for that.

[shadytrake]

I grow 90% of my collection in s/h and have found that Phals transfer to s/h at any time. They start new roots immediately and grow right down into the reservoir. The only thing is that I have learned not to overpot in s/h. Pick a container that is just slightly bigger or same size as the width of the root system. For some reason, I get more blooms and root growth when they are snug to tight in the pots.

In fact, I just repotted 2 Phal equestris into s/h last night (just because I felt their s/h pots were too big). I feel sure that they will take off immediately.

I bought a tray of named Phals from the death table at a local nursery 2 weekends ago and immediately transferred them to s/h. Even though 2 of them were pretty sad looking, they took off immediately and last night I saw a spike working on 7 out of the 9 plants.

Just my Good luck.

[LuizaG]

Originally Posted by RosieC

For now I would allow it to cool and flower and this is the best time of year for that.

How cool should it get? We keep a constant 23 - 25 centigrade in the house now. In order to get it to cool at around 20 centigrade I would have to put it on the windowsill but that new leaf that is growing has a lot of red tint and I have been advised to keep it in a shadier place. In order to do that I need to keep it away from the cooler window in the warmth. I'm not sure what to do with it.

[LuizaG]

Last repoting was 12.10.10. After that I left it a week in a shadier place in the warmth and then I placed it on the windowsill in order to get cool but that new leaf is still too red.

[RosieC]

It is best to have a nighttime drop in temps. If you keep the house at a constant temperature in winter it's quite likely you will have problems reblooming them.

I've read a 10F drop between day and night is what you want. That means at 23C in the day you want it to drop to arround 17C at night.

I have my house at arround 20C in the day, then no heating at night and it drops to arround 15C which seems enough to trigger them.

[LuizaG]

Well, in this case I can place it on the windowsill behind the curtains only during the night and during the day it can sit shaded on my desk