New to orchids. Could you rate the general health of the plant?

[fattytuna]

I recently bought a phalaenopsis and need some advice on it. I'm not a complete newbie (I grow carnivorous plants quite well) and have researched the general requirements.
Could you tell me whether the plant is healthy or not?



After the flowering, would it be advisable to cut the entire stalk off? I value flower quality over frequency, and also the general health of the plant, so I assume that doing this will allow the plant to recover for a more magnificent blooming.

I also noticed that there are roots growing out of the pot. Should I repot the plant, and if so, should it be done after the flowers have wilted. I plan to use a live sphagnum/ peat/ perlite blend.

And lastly, is the area where I am growing it bright enough? (the picture corresponds to the real brightness)


Thank you for your time.

[Bud]

That is a happy healthy plant. Its got silvery roots with green tips and its plump...the leaves are perky and firm
the light its on right now is a bit dark...put it in an east facing window sill...you will know if it is getting too much light if the leaves have turned reddish...
Do not cut the spike after the blooms wither and die...you might get a keiki or another set of blooms on the lower nodes.

[Eahonn]

More indirect light otherwise looks great

[fattytuna]

Originally Posted by Bud

you might get a keiki or another set of blooms on the lower nodes.

I think that if it develops a keiki, I will keep it. But if it develops flowers, I might cut it off. You know, so I get more, better looking flowers next time it blooms.

Keikis don't use up that much energy from the parent plant right?

[Wjs2nd]

Originally Posted by fattytuna

After the flowering, would it be advisable to cut the entire stalk off? I value flower quality over frequency, and also the general health of the plant, so I assume that doing this will allow the plant to recover for a more magnificent blooming.

If the spike yellows cut it off, but if not y can leave it on to see what happens.

Originally Posted by fattytuna

I also noticed that there are roots growing out of the pot. Should I repot the plant, and if so, should it be done after the flowers have wilted. I plan to use a live sphagnum/ peat/ perlite blend.

You should not pot roots growing out of a pot. They are suppose to grow in the air and potting them might kill them. Also, you should not use a peat mix with phals. They need a lose airy medium like just live sphagnum moss. You could add the perlite but do not add the peat.

[Bud]

Phals gather energy by growing roots and leaves. They then give full energy to the spike to bloom and thats it. They stop the energy boost once you have a bloom. Just water it to freshen the flowers; otherwise the plant wont give anymore energy, its done its job. you also stop fertilizer when it opens its blooms...
Cutting the spike gives a message to the plant that it needs to grow more leaves and roots again for enough energy to give a spike. You just stunted yourself a season.
aerial roots are good, you just spritz them if shrivelled...burying it down to the media might rot it...
I read other members bury the aerial roots when repotting and nothing bad happens. Take a chance and good luck.

[fattytuna]

Originally Posted by Wjs2nd

If the spike yellows cut it off, but if not y can leave it on to see what happens.

You should not pot roots growing out of a pot. They are suppose to grow in the air and potting them might kill them. Also, you should not use a peat mix with phals. They need a lose airy medium like just live sphagnum moss. You could add the perlite but do not add the peat.

Okay, I guess I will stick to a standard mix then.

Originally Posted by Bud

Phals gather energy by growing roots and leaves. They then give full energy to the spike to bloom and thats it. They stop the energy boost once you have a bloom. Just water it to freshen the flowers; otherwise the plant wont give anymore energy, its done its job. you also stop fertilizer when it opens its blooms...
Cutting the spike gives a message to the plant that it needs to grow more leaves and roots again for enough energy to give a spike. You just stunted yourself a season.
aerial roots are good, you just spritz them if shrivelled...burying it down to the media might rot it...
I read other members bury the aerial roots when repotting and nothing bad happens. Take a chance and good luck.

Good advice. I shouldn't be forcing growth in winter i guess.