Does my phal need repotting?

[JBlacksmith]

I have a phalaenopsis from the grocery store that has been in the same pot since I bought it. I thought I read somewhere to try and wait to repot until the flowers were done falling off. I know phals like pots that fit the roots snugly, but how do I know when/if it needs to be transferred to a slightly larger container? Any and all help is really appreciated!

[Bud]

If my plant came from a reputable grower, then I wait until all the blooms are gone when I repot....but I repot orchids even if in bloom just as it enters my apartment to check the roots and if there are any bugs inside the pot.
You may use the same pot but refresh the media mix.

[RosieC]

A general rule is that if growing in bark then they should be repotted every couple of years, if in moss then every year.

This is not for the purpose of changing pot size, but to get fresh medium. Sometimes they go up/down a pot size, other times they stay in the same pot.

When you buy a new one you don't know how long it's been in the medium, also you don't know how wet it's been kept (which accelerates the breakdown of the medium).

As Bud says if it comes from a reputable dealer you don't need to rush to repot. However if it gets over a year then I would probably repot even if it's still in flower.

[tarev]

I have learned to repot new Phals even if in bloom. The blooms can take a really long while to fall off..sometimes 3 to 6 months long. And if it was in sphagnum moss, it will be slowly choking the roots in the long run.

It is unnerving at first to do it, but as long as you do it carefully, not in a rush, with your new media you intend to use ready on hand, tools properly sterilized in case you need to cut some dried out roots, things should go fine. You may see some bloom/bud blast, as the plant adjusts to the new set-up but the change is for the overall better health of your plant, especially Phals bought from grocery stores..more often it is so suffocated with sphagnum moss.

Typically I use same size container during repot or go a size bigger, and I choose one with holes on the sides. If container it came in is still good, you can reuse it, just clean it well. If it came in a decorative pot with no holes, and you intend to use it, you may want to consider getting an inner container with proper holes, or if you want put more holes in your decorative pot for drainage.

Most Phal leaves grow big and broad, so I choose containers that do not topple easily, at times the plant eventually leans to the edge of the container. You may also find the plant sends out aerial roots, it does not mean the container is already too small..the plant just does that too.

[JBlacksmith]

Thank you, everybody! I repotted the guy, and there was so much moss crammed in there I couldn't free the roots for at least a good fifteen minutes. I reused the container since the roots don't look cramped anymore (with the new media).