Brand new here - questions about Phal care

[RandomGemini]

It can wait until the plant is done blooming if you want. That's not a problem. I have repotted many phals in bloom though, and it's never been an issue to repot them.

When you're ready, here's a great guide on how to repot phals.

Orchid Repotting Clinic - Phalaenopsis

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Thank you so much, everyone, for your help. The moss looks a bit darker on the picture than in real life. It is brownish with a greenish tint in a few places. The reason it looks wet is because I've noticed it takes at least 4-5 days to dry, even on the surface. I will water less frequently now until I repot. I noticed one other thing. On the very bottom of the pot there are what looks like a layer of packing peanuts? I can see them through the holes at the bottom of the pot. Is it fine to have those?

Now that I've realized I need to repot, I'm scared to do it soon on a huge, fully blooming plant, particularly never having repotted an orchid before in my life. The orchid seems very happy now and I notice new roots peeking out. If this truly can't wait, I will do it, of course, but is there anything I can do in the meantime to make the moss last a bit longer until the phal is done blooming?

Hi Fuzzy! Repotting the first time is scary for everyone, but it's not as hard as it seems!! Watch this video, it can help you!!

We translated the text in the video and place it in our new Facebook orchid care page... we're just starting with it, but you can watch the video there: https://www.facebook.com/basicorchidcare

Please follow us! We'll be uploading orchid care tips in the next couple of weeks... we have our Spanish speaking friends, and we have 50,000+ fans... after being asked a lot, we are making the English version.

If you need materials, check this link: www.tienda.lacasadelasorquideas.com; specially look at #2 Phalaenopsis Mix. Hope this helps!!

The spray we use to disinfect the scissors and then cauterize the root cuts is homemade and very easy:

-In a pint bottle: add 2 tablespoons of powder cinnamon and 1 cup of rubbing alcohol. Shake well and let it sit overnight with the cap on. The next day filter the liquid to get rid of the cinnamon dust with a coffee filter; it takes forever, but it`s worth it!! Once you have a brown tinted alcohol solution return it to the washed bottle and add 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and fill the bottle with water.

We always keep it at hand to disinfect and cauterize, it helps to prevent or treat mild bacterial and fungal infections and to get rid of some pests.

[Fuzzy]

Ok, an update on the potting situation. I took the phal out of the pot to inspect, and at least about 1/3 of the pot is packing peanuts (no wonder it feels so light!), and the rest is the moss, not too tightly packed (I can easily press down and compress it quite a bit). Is this a reasonable environment for a phal?

[RandomGemini]

Sounds like how I have received some of my phals from Trader Joe's. The peanuts allow the center of the moss to stay a bit more dry, than if it were packed fully in moss. As long as the moss isn't tightly packed, it shouldn't be a problem for the plant.