First time triming roots

[turtleamy]

Saturday I unpacked my orchid from all the sphag moss it came in, the outerroots looked pretty good, however all the inner roots were black mush. I put new moss and bark in, but after tons of reading I never saw how deep to bury the orchid. So I left just a touch of the tops roots in the air. I think after blooming is done, I'll remove it from the green inner pot it's in to a transparent one. Or is 2 repots too much in a single year?

If I somehow screwed this up how long will it take for the phal to let me know?

Last question there's some growth from the bottom, is that a new leaf?

[Bud]

trust your instincts...you and the plant must bond and discover a watering/fertilizer regimen...if you are comfortable with growing in moss then learn the skewer method really well, if not just do the large bark media mix. that growth might be a new root or might be a keiki(a small baby plant=depends on what specie your plant is: some specie grow basal keikis)

you must give us your grow zone, and the temperature and humidity where the plant is placed...is there air circulation?...what side is the source of light facing?(north, south, east, west?)

[turtleamy]

The plant is a NOID phal. I'm in growth zone 7, this orchid is grown indoors in a west faced window. Right now it's a few feet from the blinds and the blinds remain closed. Unfortunately I have zero east facing windows. Humidity is at 55%, and since this orchid was picked up from a grocery store I'm pretty sure it's about the same humidity.

[LittleWatty]

Well, if two repots is too much in a year, then I have two phals that will be in trouble XD Phal's are notoriously hardy. I'm sure that it will be fine, but, I'm no expert here. I've repotted my two sick orchids twice. Once to check their roots, second to put them in a better mix (from sphag to bark). They haven't shown any ill effects yet. No yellowing leaves, even the blooms haven't dropped from one of my plants.

[Zoi2]

For my 2 cents: The phal looks a bit deep in the pot. You will need to be really careful when you water that you do not get water down in the leaves. The new growth looks to me like a basil keiki.
What is that brown on your plant? Did you use cinnamon on it?
Joann

[turtleamy]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

What is that brown on your plant? Did you use cinnamon on it?
Joann

Yes it's cinnamon

What's the right height for repoting?

[james mickelso]

Hi Amy and welcome. Yes phals are hardier than some people think. Taking a phal out of a pot to inspect the roots, or repotting it in a new mix should have no ill affects. As long as you don't mess too much with it's roots. Yikes!!!! You cut off the rotted roots before you repotted it? Good girl. And you put cinnamon on the cuts right? Good. Now......don't water it for awhile. 3-4-5 days is ok. Let the plant heal the wounds before you water it again. It will be dry. Good. Pick it up and feel how light it is and then water the daylights out of it. Ok, just water it until water flows freely from the drainholes. Now feel how heavy it is. Good. Don't water again until it is light again. Most of your work is done. Now light.....open those blinds until the sunlight bounces off the tops of the blinds and lights up the room nicely. That's how much light the phal needs to flower when it is time. No direct sunlight on the leaves please. Thankyou. And give it some air. A nice gentle breeze from a small fan. No don't blow it out of the pot. Just some breeze if you can. The new leaf growing out next to the plant? Maybe a basal keiki or the old plant before the plant you have which would make yours the keiki. (see pic. Yeah I know mine looks terrible but it is on the mend. What you see is actually the 4th growth of the plant) Let's see what it does. Don't get water on it. (rot) can rear it's ugly head at any time. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Wynn Dee13]

I think you planted it fine. I don't think it is too deep in the pot but you will have to make sure water doesn't sit in the leaf axils. I also think that growth is a basal keiki. It kind of looks like one tried to grow from that spot before but didn't succeed and it is trying again. As for watering, you can also put a wooden skewer in the middle of the pot (make sure you don't stab any roots) and pull it out to see when to water. If it is still wet don't water. If it is dry then it is time to water. I don't like to put cinnamon on roots because it dries them out. If you cut off some roots you can just let them heal over for a little bit but I usually don't worry about it. I have never had any problems with not treating cut roots. I do put cinnamon on cut leaves or on other parts of the plant just not roots. But some people might have had good experience with it. If you need to repot again the plant should be okay but I try not to disturb them unless I have to. James is right about the light. Your plant needs it or it won't do very good or bloom! Open the blinds and you might need to move the plant closer to the window. Good luck and just let the plant get used to its new home!

[james mickelso]

Let me clarify about using cinnamon on roots. This came up in another thread. The cinnamon is dabbed onto the cut end of the root only. Not sprinkled on all the roots although I have done that and it has not hurt the plant. But the proper way to do it, if you use the technique, is with a Qtip or other swab and it is applied to the tip of the cut root only. It's just a bandaid. I have cut roots (lots and lots and lots) and just planted the orchid right away too. Lots of times. But the cinnamon is just a precaution. I hope that clarifies the subject somewhat. I know some who put physan and other fungicides/bactericides in the water they use to water the new plantings. Whatever you do is ok as long as you know there is a risk of infection. (he sits down now) (blushing).