Roots and Repotting a Phalaenopsis

[SydneyH]

One of my four Phalaenopsis that I bought at a local big box store hasn't put out a flower spike yet so I thought I would go ahead and repot it. The leaves are okay but they don't have that same healthy glow that the others have. The roots I can see are all healthy and green and really long. Some are at least 10 inches long, running out of the pot and along the table it sits on. It's in what I guess to be about a 3 inch pot. When I picked it up to examine it this morning, I noticed more roots starting to come out the bottom drain holes. It's planted in moss but I plan to repot it in bark mix. Since this particular Phalaenopsis seems to like its roots running wild and free, do I try to shove them in a pot when I replant or just let them hang?

I also noticed it has two keikis (I think that's the word for baby plants.) coming up from the base. Can I separate them out or is it best to just leave them be?

[Paul Mc]

Personally, I'd soak the roots so they become just a tad more malleable and then attempt to get them in the pot. But I also wouldn't worry if they don't get in there. Once roots had formed and become used to one type of exposure/medium, they will take some time to get used to the new.

[Bud]

wait til the basal keiki has roots 3 to 5 inches long then twist the keiki off and repot it
others put moss on the roots of the keiki to let it get used to when you separeate it from the motherplant

[SydneyH]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give those suggestions a try.

[rangiku]

Sydney, I keep basal keikis attached to their mother. Makes your plant a specimen plant (nice big plant) faster.

[Wjs2nd]

I sounds like your orchid really likes the moss; I would not change it to bark.

If the roots are growing in the air the extra moister of being potted could kill them.

Trying to take off basal keikis could cause problems. Just leave them on and have a nice big orchid.

[SydneyH]

Thanks, rangiku and Wjs2nd! We're having unseasonably warm temperatures here for the next few days, with highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 50s. I decided to put the Phal on the front porch, facing east. It looks very happy there and I swear the roots look like they've grown another inch or so. So for now I've decided to just leave it be with its moss, dangling roots and keikis. Plus I know how I have the tendency to fiddle with something too much. If it gets much cooler I'll bring it in, but for now I'll let it enjoy its vacation.