when to trim/cutback or re-stake my phal orchid

[james mickelso]

This looks like a bark mix that has started to break down into very fine pieces. Is it? How fine is the media in the pot? I don't see any side slits or holes so I assume the hole in the pot for aeration is in the bottom. If that is the case you need to put something under the clear plastic pot so it is above the bottom the decorative pot in which it resides. If left flat on the bottom of the decorative pot, it covers the breathing hole and the plant will get root rot in a hurry. Just put some buttons or small gravel in the bottom of the decorative pot and then put the clear pot in that. Also don't water this until the media is dry. When it is dry (although it won't really be dry, but still damp in the middle where the root rot starts) then water it.