Change of medium after purchase

[LFC25]

Roots will usually die if there is a radical change in the type of medium. The best time to repot is when new roots are just emerging because the plant will become acclimated the most quickly at this time.

Question:
So are we suppose to stick to the previous medium if we want to repot it immediately after purchased? Usually the plant is packed in moss and I do not like moss.

[Orchid Whisperer]

It makes a huge difference what kind of orchid you have. What kind is it? Can you post a picture?

[LFC25]

I think it is a hybrid Phalaenopsis. I posted a question here previously and here is the link":

Seek your opinion

I changed the medium from moss to bark plus some coconut chips. Sort of regretting to repot :-(

[aliceinwl]

I don't like moss either. All of the healthy Phalaenopsis I switched from moss to bark after purchase never missed a beat. Some of the Phalaenopsis that were already in poor condition (dehydrated with dry moss and drooping leaves or with sopping wet moss and rotted roots) blasted a few flowers after repotting. Even the poor condition plants kept most of their flowers and the leaves firmed up and the roots regrew after ~4 weeks. The only time I had a major flower drop was when I accidentally cut off a live root when trimming off the dead ones.

With your specific plant, I think it will recover if you follow Ray's advice. If you can't get a root stimulant, still follow the rest of the steps. If all its roots died in its original media I think a repot was a good move. If you'd waited and it continued to deteriorate, it might have been too far gone to recover.

[camille1585]

While it's true that roots are adapted to the environment they grow in, I've never had problems shifting Phals from sphag to my usual bark mix. I find that shifting from damp to dryish medium is far less problematic than shifting from dry to wet (eg S/H). Normally you should wait for new root growth to repot, but I kill anything that comes in densely packed sphag... I just make sure not to let the plant dry out as long between waterings until new roots start. Luckily orchids are very rarely sold in sphag here.

If the plant in question is the one in your original thread, seeing as it has nearly no roots I don't think it matters what you pot it in, there are no roots left to rot! The important thing is to promote new root growth.

[LFC25]

Yesterday


Today


Does not look good

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by LFC25

Does not look good

The rapidly yellowing leaves indicate that a disease is already spreading in the plant's tissues. Sorry. I don't think this plant can recover.

For future Phalaenopsis purchases, inspect thoroughly before buying, repot them into coarse well-drained media (like bark) as soon as you get them home. Phalaenopsis will not miss a beat, even when in flower.

[Ray]

Responding to the original query in an "in general" basis, the decision about repotting a plant should take into account several factors.

• If the plant is in active growth and new roots are emerging, then by all means, go ahead and repot.
• If the plant is not in active growth, but the medium is failing, you may have to repot to avoid losing it altogether. Just be aware that you may have to go to extra lengths to "pamper it" a bit until it does start growing new roots.
• If the plant is not in active growth, but the potting medium is good, but not your preference or one that is well suited to your overall culture, you must choose whether to repot, knowing you may need to pamper it a bit afterward, or just learn how to properly care for it in the current medium, and wait for new roots.

[estación seca]

Any chance the plant is sunburned?

[LFC25]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Any chance the plant is sunburned?

No, no direct sunlight for the plant. Not sure if the yellowish is it because water cannot go to the leaves.