To leave or re-pot currently flowering Phal?

[Horses&Orchids]

I just bought this Phal today. Personally I've not had great luck with Phals when I buy them potted in moss and of course this one is. There is green mold growing on the side of it's plastic pot. I'm afraid it will rot the roots if I leave it but I don't want to shock it while it's flowering. I have everything to re-pot it but just want to do it at the right time. Any suggestions please? Thank you!

[Optimist]

You might very gently and with care for the roots and your fingers, take a razor knife and cut slits or holes in the side of the pot, and then wait till after the bloom to repot. You could also just cut the pot off and plop it in a pot with holes without desturbing the moss.

[trdyl]

The green stuff is actually algae growing inside of the pot. It does not harm the roots. Most Phals do not mind being repotted while in flower. It may effect the longevity of the flowers though if it has a weak root system. But if its root system is shot it is best to cut off the spike and repot.

[james mickelso]

I agree with Trdyl. But if you let this get really dry before watering it again, and then just put a little water through the pot, you could wait until it is finished flowering before repotting. It can be repotted very very carefully if you are an experienced repotter. Otherwise let it finish flowering and then repot. Nice plant by the way. Love the flowers. If you want to repot this now, let it dry out completely. Then take tweezers and starting at the bottom, slowly pull off the strands of moss a little at a time. And slowly work your way upward taking great care not to injure the roots. There is no need to get "all" the moss off the roots. You will find a very dense plug of moss on the inside near the top and that can be left there because the roots will have grown through it. Do this carefully and when finished, repot into whatever you have for it. It can go back into the very sphagnum moss you took off but it has to be put back around the roots very loosely. Your choice. At the least, put very little water on it. Cut the sides carefully with a razor or knife to let air into the moss.

[Helzy]

I personally would repot it just to check the roots. I also do remove that dense moss plug as it may not dry out between waterings and will eventually cause root rot. Good luck with your beautiful flower!

[james mickelso]

removing that plug will damage the roots as they have grown right through it. Better to wait. With different, newer media around it, the plug will dry faster and shouldn't cause any problems. Be very careful pulling the old sphagnum out from around the roots. Just pull small pieces at a time. No hurry.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Is that a mini just add ice orchid? I have 3 of those and have re-potted 2. I did as Optimist suggested and cut slits in the pot. One of mines roots went crazy and grew out of the slits before I re-potted it. I let them get done blooming before I did it.

That is why I haven't re-potted my other one the crazy thing won't stop blooming. I am just very careful when I water it letting it get pretty dry before I do.

Here are a few pictures of them. Picture 1 and 2 are the same plant before and after re-potting, 3 is a different one and I didn't get a picture of it before re-potting. Neither of mine had a plug in them so I just took tweezers and pulled out the moss.

[Bud]

I always repot even in full bloom the first time the plant enters my apartment. I need to check out the roots and look for a tight moss ball at the center of the root mass that might cause rot. And also get rid of bugs hiding on the dry moss.
If you are not comfortable with using moss as your media then repotting with media mix is fine.....you may use the same pot as long as you wash it well with soap and water.

[james mickelso]

Nice job Shannon. They look very healthy. Nice roots. Did you use kelp or anything?

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thanks James, yes I do. I use Neptunes fish and sea weed fert. Plus my regular one . I know it stinks but I just mix it light and it really isn't that bad. I don't notice it after I water, nor much when I do, well after I get the lid closed.

I also soak my potting mix in KLN. And I do water them with it sometimes. I'm not really on a scheduled. I just fly by the seat of my pants or when I have time.