changing pot question

[se7en0ne0ne]

Hello everyone! I just received an orchid that is blooming and came in spag moss. I would like to change the pot and the medium to a bark mix. I'm just curious if I can move the phal to another pot/medium even though it's currently blooming? thanks

[Ray]

It is best not to, as the shock of the transition is likely to result in loss of blossoms, however 1) some orchids don't seem to care (and you didn't say what kind you have), and 2) if the sphagnum is so compact that you are at risk of losing the plant if you don't repot it, then you must.

[tucker85]

I agree with everything Ray has said. I usually try to let a new plant finish blooming before repotting but, like Ray said, if the root zone looks bad to you may need to repot now. Although some phals will retain their blooms after repotting, it's not something you can count on. Often the blooms won't last long after repotting. If you decide to keep it in the origional pot with sphagnum until after blooming, let the medium get almost completely dry between waterings and then use just enough water to rewet the sphagnem. Good luck.

[silken]

I find that if it's a Phal, then the wet moss and possible root rot that has already started, will likely make it too late for the plant if you wait till it's done blooming. Most of my Phal's stay in bloom for many months. I always immediately pull it from the pot and check things out and at the very least remove at least half of the moss it is in. That's assuming it is packed in tight wet moss. The moss at the root ball is usually just too wet to let the plant dry out propderly, which it should be doing or close to it before watering again. I lost my first few Phals from waiting which is why I do it right away now. It has never seemed to affect the bloom that is happening at the time by gently re-potting them.

[se7en0ne0ne]

oops my fault for getting to mention but yes I do have a phal. The roots seem to be green and healthy. I just wanted to change the medium because I thought it's easier have root rot with spag moss and thought that bark mix would be a better alternative. However, since the roots are seemingly healthy, I guess I'll keep the plant in the same pot/medium until it finishes blooming. Thanks for all input!