has my orchid died?? :-(

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Yes it's a phal and the move could have disturbed the buds. If the spike is turning brown it's dying back but that doesn't mean the plant is dying, just the spike. Cut it right down near the base of the plant as close to the leaves as you can without damaging the plant. Usually an inch from the base is what most people do.

New spikes are usually triggered around autumn in a healthy plant, though not always (the drop in temperature triggers many phals). I actually have several spiking now... but that's the messed up weather in the UK just now!

Phals are potted in bark. You can get various orchid barks from garden centres or places like B&Q. To be honest I have found unless you get it from a specialist it's not the best stuff, but it will do, especially if you just use the larger pieces. Unfortunately you can't use the bark mulch for the garden that is common in many garden centres. It's already decomposing and I think it's the wrong sort and leaches oils as well

After two years, it likely needs re-potting. Also have you fertilised since you got it. They can go a while without fertiliser but will start suffering if they don't get any long term.

Finally take a read here. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html It's got a lot of good info about phals and how to keep them alive and is worth the read.

[beckie_boo22]

think mine's bloomed 4times in 2 years

[RosieC]

The medium in your pictures does look broken down so needs replacing. It does look like bark so putting it back in bark is the best thing.

Note that you probably want to keep the pot size the same, and you should remove all medium and trim any hollow/mushy roots. If a lot of the roots are hollow/mushy you might even need to go to a smaller pot. Re-potting with orchids is all about replacing the medium not going up a pot size. You pick the size pot which you can just get all the roots back into.

[RosieC]

Ah... and if you can't wait for new blooms just buy another orchid to go with this one When you have enough orchids you will always have something in bloom... why do you think I have 90+... there is always something in bloom in my house

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by beckie_boo22

think mine's bloomed 4times in 2 years

Was that all on the same spike. They do bloom more often from existing spikes, however you generally only get one or two flowers at a time. New spikes usually get more flowers but take longer to form.

It's good for an orchid to have a rest between spikes, it can put it's energy into leaves and roots, which make it stronger and able to make more blooms when it's ready to

[beckie_boo22]

Yeah just 1 spike, was thinking it was growing ridiculously long. Had 4 or 5 buds a time. Just counted spike, it's had 18 buds in total.
Spike has a fork in it so was hoping it would carry on blooming on the other side and prune the existing 1.
I have no gardening skills at all, surprised I didn't kill it.
Is there a list of don'ts for repotting?
Will the bark fall away from the roots or will It all come out in a lump?
I'm a complete novice

[RosieC]

I can't remember if there is something about repotting in the link I gave. There are various videos available online if you search for google, that's why I did when I first started.

Much of the bark will fall away, actually the worse condition the roots are the more will fall away, if they are really thick healthy vigorous roots they will cling to it and it can be more difficult. If it's difficult then soak the whole mass and just try to gently prise the medium out.

Some videos you find online actually shows cutting the healthy roots to fit them back into the pot. I used to think that was a mistake I made on my first one, now I think that was poor quality bark) However while I think I understand why processionals do it, I prefer not to damage good roots and instead choose a pot to suit rather than cutting the roots to fit the pot.

[beckie_boo22]

thanks or the advice RosieC

[beckie_boo22]

anyone use this?
is it any good? i have some but i havent used it as i didn't feel it needed it as it was growing so well.

Baby Bio Orchid Food, 0000050371341

[Silje]

Lol...Don't mind me.

I only saw the first page of comments and thought I'd chip in, and realized too late that I was just repeating some of what Rosie said, and when I wanted to delete the comment I wasn't able to.

Pretend I wasn't even here.