Should I repot or not

[the_noob]

So let me give you guys some updates on how my Phal is doing.



Getting reeeeally close to having another flower or two. I'm very excited, though it reminds of a show poodle every time I look at it.

The new flower spike is growing fast! I see it extend further every other day. Unfortunately as we move into spring, the sun is now peeking into my living room more from another angle, and this spike is making a turn.



So I have another question. Once it's done flowering, I'm not sure if I should repot it. Supermarket orchids have a bad rap as being poorly potted. This one on the other hand appears to be in pretty good shape. There's only one root that's out of the pot, but otherwise it is not trying to escape. No stray roots from the bottom either.
However, the roots are growing more towards one side of the pot.



The other side



There's a label on the pot that says "12/14/15 Bombay". I assume that's the date it got potted, and Bombay being its ID.

When would you recommend repotting it? Thanks.

[Dollythehun]

Bump.

[rbarata]

I tend to keep them in the original pot and medium if they perform well. But that's just me...

[jkofferdahl]

What a nice flower!

Your bark doesn't look too bad, but it is breaking down some. The media at the top is a lot less moist than at the bottom. If it was really potted in December of 2015 that's not a surprise. You certainly could wait on repotting until after it finishes blooming, but with some Phals that can mean waiting a long, long time (I have one I want to repot which has been in continual bloom for about 15 months and still forming new buds). If you wait, be extra careful to not overwater.

Roots growing out of the pot are neither a problem nor an indication of the need to repot. Phals love to send out aereal roots, and healthy aereal roots indicate that the plant is getting a nice humidity level and that it's happy. On a mounted orchid virtually all of the roots are aereal because most of the root surface is exposed.

The roots visible in the pot look fine and the plant looks quite hardy. You've done well by your plant! When you repot it, however, I'd strongly urge you to use a shallower pot - a so-called azalea pot - and larger chunks of bark. Doing so may require that the plant gets watered slightly more often but will also allow far better air movement to her roots. I'd bet that your plant will do even better potted in this way!

[Paphluvr]

I totally agree with jkofferdahl's remarks. The only thing I would add is to use a less tapered pot to add more stability from tipping when in bloom.

[bil]

Meh, I shove mine in wide, shallow pots with coarse bark. A wide pot makes them stable. Mine have been in there a couple of years now, and I doubt they are in dire need of repotting as the large bark chunks dry out fast, and break down less.

[the_noob]

I have to thank you all who stopped me from trimming the sad looking spike earlier! Miracles do happen!

I'm just worried about root bound. I know they like to be root bound, but is it sort of reaching the limit? I can see that some roots are getting stuck and can't grow further.

Whatever the case is, I think I'm going to wait until the buds actually open. I don't want to experience another heartbreaking bud blast.

That also buys me some time to look for an appropriate container. I think spending more than $2 to get a plastic tub is pretty absurd. I might have seen some ice cream being sold in tubs that fit the description of an azalea pot. All I have to do is to drill some holes. Am I doing something bad here, besides the ice cream part?

She is now in a 6" pot. I probably should go with an 8" but shallower pot, right?

[Dollythehun]

Three responses, four opinions: I use clay. Most of my phals are in 6" standard clay pots. I like clay because it is heavy, cool, and stable. But, depending on where you live there may not be a wide variety available. If you are used to watering in plastic, maybe stay with it...If you don't mind looking at an ice cream container, do it. But, it won't go with your beautiful decor. But, my plants get more respect than that.😉

[the_noob]

The aesthetics of the tub isn't really all that important because I have a few big bowls here that I can use as the outer pot. So I'm down with anything functional and cheap.

I'm also afraid of not being able to see the roots, being a newbie I am. So plastic pot it is, and I plan to drill a few more holes on the side since looks like there's condensation within the pot... or maybe bigger bark chunks will help.

I had a salad for lunch today. The salad bowl maybe another good candidate, but probably too flimsy. The round-ish bottom may make her topple easily as well. I have my eyes peeled for potential candidate!

[bil]

Originally Posted by the_noob

1. I know they like to be root bound,

2. I think spending more than $2 to get a plastic tub is pretty absurd.

I might have seen some ice cream being sold in tubs that fit the description of an azalea pot. All I have to do is to drill some holes. Am I doing something bad here, besides the ice cream part?

3. She is now in a 6" pot. I probably should go with an 8" but shallower pot, right?

1. How do you know they like to be root bound? It's a serious question. I know a lot of people will TELL you that, but where is the evidence?

2. Why put a beautiful plant in a tacky pot? Drilling holes in plastic is very prone to making cracks. I would melt holes in it.

3. Mine go in 12" pots that are about 4" deep. My phals grow very big and would topple over with 8" pots.