Phalaenopsis orchid when to repot?

[Hann]

Hi my name is hann I am just wondering whe to re pot my phalaenopsis orchid (mini) I bought my orchid in may on mothers day! I have lost a leaf and hoping for new spike In the next season from as far as I can tell with out taking the orchid out of the actual pot I think my orchid is healthy! It has been grown in orchid potting mix and a little moss on the top! Can you help me ! Should I keep the moss if it is dry?

[RosieC]

Phals can be repoted almost any time, but I would avoid winter if you can. I think you guys are starting spring in your part of the world soon, so that might be a good time to give it plenty of growth time spring and summer in it's new pot.

Choice of potting medium varies a lot depending on your environment and I don't really know what it's like over there. I wouldn't use a top dressing of moss, but then it's generally quite humid here. Hopefually someone else might be able to advise more on that.

Phals would usually initiate flower spikes over the winter when they detect temperature drops. If you bought it in flower in May it might miss a year while it gathers energy to flower next year. Nurseries can control temperatures and get them to flower out of season so they can sell them in flower all through the year. Some are known to then be 18+ months before they settle back into their natural rhythm.

[Hann]

Thanks RosieC, I will repot in spring, would you put in a bigger pot?

[Wynn Dee13]

You want to choose a pot that just fits the healthy roots. You might be able to use the same pot or if you have a lot of dead roots you might need to go down a size. Match the pot to the roots not the top growth. If the plant is top heavy you can put it in a heavy decorative pot so the pot it is planted in doesn't fall over. You can also put a rock in the bottom of the pot to keep it from falling over. Good luck!

[Hann]

Thanks Wynn I will try using the same pot when it gets a bit warmer I will see how I go. This is all very new to me i have just recently realised how much I love orchids after getting a phal for my birthday off hubby!

[Lagoon]

Welcome to the jungle Hann -- nice to have you here talking orchids
Good luck on the repotting, You'll get better and better at this, I promise ..... lets us how you do

[Hann]

Be sure to tell you how I go!

[Bill U.]

Hann, just remember as you are repotting to trim those dead roots off with clean scissors. Any dead roots that are brown, soft, and squishy can lead to root rot that can kill the entire thing. The part about clean scissors is to make sure that you don't introduce an infection to the plant. Good Luck and happy growing!