Mini Phalaenopsis, possible root fungi?

[björn]

Hi, newbie here. I have a few phalaenopsis, mostly received as gifts.

Recently someone gave me two mini phals. They're both planted in moss. I noticed on the smallest one, the roots weren't doing too well. So I made the decision to repot it to bark and seems I might have saved it, but am losing flowers though. (only one healthy bud left and the spike tip looks healthy too, holding thumbs!)

But this morning, on the slightly larger one which is still in moss, I noticed small white specks on the roots that look like it might be the beginnings of fungi.

Now this one has a lot of flowers and it looks healthy. I would hate to lose the flowers, but even though I put it in a ceramic bonsai pot with lots of space around the moss for the roots to breathe, it now seems like this fungi problem is still developing regardless.

Should I repot, or wait for the blooms to drop? Are there any tips to save the blooms during a repot?

Just want to mention too, I have only watered this one once since I've had it (about 3 weeks now), as the roots are still green and don't want to over water.

[Optimist]

Phalaenopsis roots also have stomata which appear as small white specks. They are pores for the exchange of gas.
You will never over-water exposed roots. They are actually safe if they become silver/white and not necessarily stay green all the time either. A loose porous material will allow air and humidity to stay around the roots.

[björn]

Ah oki. I did have a Google around and could not really find anything like what I'm seeing, so it must be stomata then.

I'll wait for the plant to stop blooming then before repotting to a bark medium.

Thanks.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

There is a good thread here on growing Phalaenopsis. From the left yellow menu, choose Forums, then Beginners. Look near the top for the sticky thread The Phal abuse stops here.