Hello! I have recently lost my first phal and my sweet boyfriend's family has got me another, and I have many questions. I am paranoid of harming this new beauty so I'm going to be patient and let you guys tell me how to proceed. It's a just add ice orchid, though I know that ice is typically a bad idea. I've got distilled water and bamboo chopsticks for checking medium moisture. Here I'm going to try to give as much information as I can to receive the best advice, so brace yourselves for what I hope is extensive, but not too extraneous
Ok, first, there is no visible drainage in the bottom of the pot. The medium is bark from what I can see. I have just read that it is advisable to let the plant adjust to new climates before repotting - I just got the plant yesterday. I haven't watered it yet. Should I repot now before letting it adjust to the new home? Before the blooms finish?
There is a white 'glazing' to some of the tops of the medium - I would guess deposits from water, or is it mold? Some roots that I can see are shriveled up and crispy looking, while some are blackening, and some others have a rusty tinge near the base of the plant. I discovered a bit of white dusty powder as well on some loose medium. There is also one root that seems to have disfigured bumps all along one side. Pretty sure that one is infected with something and needs to be cut off. Ideas what is causing any of these things?
Also, one leaf (that the stake was skewered through) is browning/yellowing at the tip. Some blooms are wilting (4), while others (9) seem to be normal. She's got about 4 buds left yet to open. She has some new, short roots growing.
I have neem oil to fight infections. Should I spray the roots now, before repotting? I imagine I should trim all the less than shiny roots when I do repot, and spray the cut ends with the neem oil. I've got new bark/perlite mix that I've microwaved to insure sterilization.
So! After that information overload, please let me know how to proceed. Should I keep her in low lighting until after adjustment/repot? The house is typically 72 plus or minus 3 degrees, humidity between 50 and 60%. Repot now? I've got bark soaking, just in case
Thank you in advance, and here's to many years of growth!