Phal overpotting

[Shiffdaddy]

I am a beginner and i got this beautiful Phal from my gf for valentines day. I recently repotted it, but from my research this pot seems too big and may only cause root rot. I need your guys's advise on whether this pot is viable or will it only kill my beautiful orchid? It was honestly one of the best orchids i've ever seen in full bloom. Perfect curvature on the flowers. The picture shows about 2-3 gaps where the flowers came off but you can imagine I repotted it about a week ago and its still looking very healthy.

I just thought bigger pot = more new growth, but i'm kinda thinking thats ill logic now :P

[Zoi2]

Orchids are usually not happy in a large pot.
The reason you want the pot to just fit the roots is for drying. Your media will stay wet in the center and dry around the edges in a large pot. This does not allow the roots to get air circulation so they rot.
Joann

[Shiffdaddy]

Ok that's interesting. So let me ask you. Say I want to keep it in this pot but I made it like Swiss cheese. Drilling holes every like inch or so in the pot. Would this make a suitable living condition for a phal? (more air circulation, quicker drying?) Or would you recommend just repotting it into a smaller more aerated pot?

I have no problem with the labor. Just wondering since I thi k it looks nice in this pot :P

[Vanda lover]

I would recomend putting in a smaller pot, [maybe a transperent one] putting some styrofoam peanuts or other drainage in the bottom first, but then you can set that pot inside your larger decorative one. That way you can check on the roots, and when it gets large enough, still use the nice pot.

[Shiffdaddy]

Ok so i went to the store and bought a "water plant" pot that was smaller and had openings all around the outside. I went to transplant my orchid to find that a lot of the roots had already begun to rot, so i cut most of the roots off. I then took out all of the moss that was in the middle of the orchid roots (it was still moist) . I put a layer of packing peanuts in the bottom then placed the orchid with seemingly a few "good" roots left and packed it full of the phal bark mix. What are the chances of it surviving? It has 5 leaves and only one has a little yellow ting but its the roots that worry me. Does this sound like itll work?

[Vanda lover]

It's hard to say what it's chances are. I'm nursing one along that had rotted roots, it's still alive and doesn't look worse about a month after re potting. Do you have any root hormone or Superthrive?