Big Leaf Violacea Phal Needs Repot

[allars]

The Violacea Phal in the photo is over 10 years old and produces a multitude of flowers every year. As you can see in the photo, it is in need of repotting. It is in a 6" plastic pot and I will be very honest here, I am afraid I will screw it up during repot. I have repotted many other orchids, but now like this, with the giant leaves hanging over the sides and the fact it is producing so many flowers. Suggestions, ideas, etc are greatly appreciated. Thanks

[MrHappyRotter]

Give the roots and media a good soak before you start repotting. This will make the old media easier to remove and the roots will be a bit more pliable.

It might be time to consider mounting the plant to something like a cork bark plaque or other mounting platform that's suitable for this sized plant. There are even wide but flat wooden baskets that could be a good candidate here and would look similar to what you've already got (sans the plastic pot).

Repotting can be stressful, but this is a good time of year for it, particularly if you see signs of new root growth. A repotted Phal like this should be kept very warm (mid 70s F to 80s F) and humidity should be elevated for awhile. It might also be a good time to invest in some rooting hormones to help ease the transition.

[orchidsarefun]

I would unpot and place in that basket with a sphagnum moss padding/ wrap. You obviously know how to water the plant, the trick with sphagnum is only to water again when it is dry.
( The leaves can be draped over the basket )

[Ray]

Summing up and adding a bit:

► Soak it for a couple of hours before doing anything.
► Carefully remove the pot, breaking or cutting it so that minimal root damage occurs.
► Extract as much of the current potting medium as possible - again, with minimal root damage
► Line a much larger basket (12", maybe) with sphagnum.
► Place the root mass in it with the plants hanging off to one side.
► Fill in with more sphagnum.

When you attach wires to the new basket, the two front ones can be a few inches longer to hold the basket at a 45° angle (or whatever, as needed to keep the plant stable).

The basket below was at 90°. Sogo Redfox, a gigantea hybrid.

[allars]

As Usual, Excellent advice that is enormously appreciated. Thank you, I will post the resulting repot photo