Should I repot? - Orchid Board

new_orchid_rescuer · #1 08-07-2007, 10:41 AM

I'm wondering whether or not I should repot my phal. It's my first orchid, and I recieved it last year. It's pretty much been blooming non-stop since I got it. I thought it was going to stop blooming now, and I could repot it since there has been alot of new root growth. But now new buds are forming again! (which is totally awesome) but it never seems to take a break. Should I just let it do it's thing, or should I cut the spikes and replant? What would be the best in the long term. Also, I know you're supposed to replant in the spring, but I didn't know enough about it then

I'm also a bit concerned about the medium breaking down.
Thanks

Ross · #2 08-07-2007, 11:07 AM

I would be concerned as well. Lots of folks just cut the spike(s) off, repot and encourage the plant to put its energy into leaves. You didn't say, are new leaves growing as well? If so you should be OK for a while and might leave it to flower. But flowers at the expense of new leaves just weakens the plant unnecessarily.

new_orchid_rescuer · #3 08-07-2007, 11:14 AM

There is a new leaf, it's about an inch and a half long right now.

Candice · #4 08-07-2007, 11:20 AM

So if you can tell me or not..have you ever cut the spike, or does your phal just keep on reblooming, without you cutting back the spike or what?
When mine are through blooming, I have cut the entire spike as far as I can, in the past. My plants have put forth new and large leaves since I have done so.
This question is really a preference, as you will come to find out about. How many leaves do you have on your phal? It should be more than three leaves, if not I would cut the spike.

new_orchid_rescuer · #5 08-07-2007, 11:33 AM

I have never cut the spikes (there are two). It only stopped blooming once, last fall, but I had just gotten it in August, and I didn't know that I was supposed to cut the spikes. Since then it has continuously bloomed. The new leaf is the 6th leaf. I'm going to try to load pictures, but I've never done this before

Candice · #6 08-07-2007, 12:17 PM

There are plenty of directions for posting pictures...you can either do a search from the top of the page or try this Resizing Images...originally posted 6/13/06 by Marty.

Personally, I would leave the spikes if you have plenty of growth from both the leaves and roots, but if your medium is breaking down, I would repot. At anytime you are in question of the media breaking down you should repot.
Can't wait to see your

!!!!

Candice · #7 08-07-2007, 12:20 PM

And here's another link to help you with your

Thumbnail pics in posts
Good luck!

new_orchid_rescuer · #8 08-07-2007, 12:27 PM

Thanks! I was hoping I could leave the spikes!

Here are some pics:

Candice · #9 08-07-2007, 12:34 PM

Everything looks good to me!
Nice

!!!

quiltergal · #10 08-07-2007, 12:44 PM

I think I'd repot. The medium down lower looks a little sketchy. Plus the roots are pile up at the bottom of the pot. They do look nice and healthy, and so does the rest of the plant. Good job! The flowers are very nice too.

There are two schools of thought on cutting the spikes. One approach is to leave them and let the plant decide when it's done. The flowers won't be as large or numerous as when it flowered from that spike the first time. The other approach is to cut the spike at the beginning of the summer and let the plant grow new leaves and then in the spring it will spike again with bigger and better flowers than if you let it rebloom on the same spike. Either way works. Just depends on your preference. This year I'm cutting my spikes to see if I get better blooms next year.