Oops.. I gave my Phal too much water!

[jaggars]

I have tried to find an answer to my problem and I can't seem to find one so I thought I would just ask. 3 days ago when I watered my Phal I realized after the fact that I may have gave it a little too much. It's planted in Spag moss in a clear pot and I have a small fan on it trying to dry it out a little and it seems like its still too wet to me when I felt of it earlier tonight. The roots look good maybe 2 that look brown. Also, we have had massive flooding rains here in Alabama and the humidity is not helping the situation. Do I just need to go ahead and repot it? I would hate for this orchid to get root rot... Thanks!

[estación seca]

People do grow them in sphagnum moss, but they must become almost dry before watering again. This can take quite a while when it's humid. You can read about checking wetness with a skewer in the Beginners forum.

If this plant came in the moss, most people here would repot right away into whatever medium they like best. This is also to check the roots.

[AnonYMouse]

Can you lift it out of the pot? If so, just place the sopping mass on newspaper/paper towels/towels/whatever will absorb water. Inspect roots and fluff up the sphag and place back in pot.

If you want to repot, do it now. Soppy sphag is easier to remove than dry moss.

---------- Post added at 11:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 PM ----------

Something in the original post was nagging at me.

Originally Posted by jaggars

I have tried to find an answer to my problem and I can't seem to find one so I thought I would just ask. 3 days ago when I watered my Phal I realized after the fact that I may have gave it a little too much. It's planted in Spag moss in a clear pot and I have a small fan on it trying to dry it out a little and it seems like its still too wet to me when I felt of it earlier tonight. The roots look good maybe 2 that look brown. Also, we have had massive flooding rains here in Alabama and the humidity is not helping the situation. Do I just need to go ahead and repot it? I would hate for this orchid to get root rot... Thanks!

What did you mean by "too much"? How do you normally water? You might want to read The Phal abuse ends here thread. Skim through it for watering methods (or run a search in the thread). Also read Using skewers to determine when to water. There really isn't a quantity "too much" without "how often".

[jaggars]

Thank you for the advice! I will repot it later today

[Ray]

The issue isn't really "too much water", as much as "too little air" to the roots.

I love sphagnum for phals, but use very airy pots, and either mix something with the moss that holds air space well - I like coconut husk fiber for that purpose - or Epcot frequently, when I see the moss starting to compress.

I'll add that of you place the pot of moss in a tray, and water from the bottom only, it will stay springy and open a lot longer than if you top-water.

[dbarron]

If you mean the pot lacks any drainage, that's a serious issue...and should be addressed.
Otherwise, like they said, it's not how much, but how often.

Also, moss is not necessarily the best media for the average person either. I'd repot it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

IMO this boils down to what's possible vs. what is easier in terms of water management - and what is recommended based on that choice.

Many greenhouse growers do grow orchids very successfully in sphagnum (= what's possible). In a greenhouse, plants never get left out in the rain, or watered when the shouldn't be (by a well-meaning spouse, boy-/girlfriend, child, parent, house-sitter, etc.). Growers professionally manage the water to keep the moisture optimal; they like the moss because it minimizes water use and if managed properly, is less labor-intensive, maybe only requiring water every 2 weeks, depending on conditions.

Bark or other coarse growing medium has less water retention capacity, but is much more forgiving if you over water (= what's easier). You accidentally got carried away & meant to only water twice this week, but instead watered 4 times, or left you orchid in the rain? No problem - just wait an extra few days, let it dry and you can resume your regular watering schedule - no harm, no foul.

I pretty much always recommend that people re-pot a Phalaenopsis right away when they bring it home. This is especially true if it came from the nursery or store in Sphagnum. Repotting a plant that is already in bark has its advantages, such as assessing the condition of the roots, or making sure that there are no snails or other pests lurking in the pot.

You can repot even if the plant is in bloom. The flowers won't even notice, and the roots will stay healthy. Repot into a well-drained pot, same size pot or an inch larger than the existing pot, use bark or something that is similarly well-drained. Water once or twice a week, at the sink, water flowing though the pot, drain, then don't water again until the bark is nearly dry, but not quite. You can fertilize once or twice a month with water-soluble house plant or orchid fertilizer at 1/4 the strength recommended on the package.

[jaggars]

Sorry I took so long to respond but I guess I should've explained myself a little better on the TOO MUCH water part.....
I was showing a friend all my "rescue" plants from Lowe's and as I was standing there talking I kept pouring water onto the plant drenching it. Yep! Blonde moment for sure

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by jaggars

Sorry I took so long to respond but I guess I should've explained myself a little better on the TOO MUCH water part.....
I was showing a friend all my "rescue" plants from Lowe's and as I was standing there talking I kept pouring water onto the plant drenching it. Yep! Blonde moment for sure

When you water a Phal you should completely drench the plant, wetting all the medium thoroughly. Then don't water again until it's almost dry.

[dbarron]

I typically try to pour water through a pot (unless i can submerge it) for 3-5 minutes...I doubt you stood there that long w/o a bucket
No harm, no foul, as long as you have drainage.