Gift Phal.

[plumania]

Someone gifted this beautiful Phal to my husband and he brought it home to me with good intentions. How thoughtful of him.
Now trouble is that I killed a Phal in past and do not grow them. I am just now getting better with cattleya and encyclia and have a long way to learn orchids.
This plant had roots tightly packed in moss and stuffed in a vase without any vents. I took most of the moss off and
loosedned roots and put is back in vase till I figure out how to repot.
I read the sticky about taking care of phal and learned a bit there. Still have several pages to read.....it is really really long discussion. While I go about reading them, I have to do something with this plant so roots do not die.

My questions-
1.Can I take the moss off and repot now while it is in bloom or do I pack it back in moss and wait for the blooms to finish. There are 2 spikes. One(large) with few open flowers and other (small) with just buds.

2. I just bought a basket I want to plant it in. Should I put it in basket with the moss or with bark/tree fern/charcoal etc. I worry it may be too dry for now even though better in the long run.
I plan to hang it outside when weather improves.
I understand it should planted at an angle/ leaning on one side - to avoid water in the crown.

3. I know it is difficult but can someone help with the name ? Even if it is just a guess.
Flowers are largish,deep fuchsia with white picotee/edging....no scent.
Plant has large leaves but that could be due to care received at florist's shop. I think it is making a new root (second pic) and there is a new leaf developing. There are some good roots and some dead.

Thanks.

[No-Pro-mwa]

If it were me I would re-pot it. If there are no holes in the pot then it certainly does need it. I would probably put it in the bark, charcoal mix. It may lose some blooms but it should save the plant.

I think people have said that you really only have to read about the first 12 pages or so of that phal thread to get the gist.

[chilipepper]

There are some good repotting videos on repotme.com and YouTube. I agree with No-Pro-mwa, I have never NOT killed a phal in moss and moss with no drainage or air circulation is not a good situation. I dont think I would worry about an angle in a pot if it's not under an auto mist system or outside in the rain. If you get water in the crown when you water just take a paper towel or q tip to it.

[plumania]

Thanks for the advise.
I watched the video and read 20 something pages in the sticky about phals.
I just repotted it in a wood basket with bark ,a bit charcoal and some coconut fiber for moisture..... I will remove some bark and coconut fiber if it seems to stay too moist.
Left it in my patio to get some air.

[Bud]

trust your instincts, if you are not comfortable with moss then media mix is fine....as long as you have good drainage and air movement....in the picture I saw one leaf pierced with a bamboo skewer....make a paste with water and cinnamon powder and dab the hole so you will not have fungi infestation....open wound on any part of an orchid plant invites trouble....

[plumania]

Thanks. I think it is getting enough air and basket provides enough drainage as well. I do not know how much media to put in the basket.
Should I keep the roots exposed to air. I worry they will get too dry.
I am no good with moss, that for sure.
And tomorrow I will reposition that stake and apply cinnamon on the hole. You have good observation. I was wondering about that hole. Poor leaf.

[chilipepper]

I certainly didn't mean to say that moss is a bad way to go, I am just saying that I have bad luck with it. Many, many people do swear by it. You do have to have the drainage and air circulation though. The last time I tried moss was on my first or second plant and, totally my fault, I drowned it. Yeah I was wondering about that pierced leaf too, I have never seen that done before.