Phal Done Blooming Can I Repot

[Cattleya17]

Hello i have bought a phal from normans orchids and the plandt is in Sphag and i noticed a root or two starting to turn brown and kinda soft. i really dont trust Sphag all phals ive ever grown have died and the only coincedence is the sphag they grew in. i recently early this year potted a mini phal in bark and it immediatly started thriving and made several new roots 2 new leaves and the new bloom spike it created is just now breaking buds! so this phal from normans just finished blooming and i had noticed that happening to the roots so i was wondering if i could repot it now eventhough it hasnt shown signs of new growth yet???

I know from experience that normans sphag is tightly packed and i really dont have a good track record with Sphag so i would like to get it out of it asap!
What Do you think??

[camille1585]

If the roots are starting to rot, repot asap. Make sure to cut off all the bad roots and it should be fine. If you repot in bark, make sure to soak the bark overnight before using it.
And congrats on getting the other one to bloom!!

[quiltergal]

From your description it sounds like the beginning of root rot. I agree with Camille, repot ASAP. Be sure and post when your mini blooms!

[Ross]

I will third the above replies. Don't use sphagnum unless you are really accomplished at watering and ready to take on the responsibilities. If your Phal is in a clear plastic pot - that is fantastic! Best thing ever (in my opinion.) If not, can you find one like at a WalMart? Then repot into really coarse fir bark - like really coarse. Mostly air spaces. Watch the roots. They will move from white/brown to green back to white/brown as you water. Your goal here is to create such an environment where the new roots have green root tips, white velamin, and turn from pure white to dark green every time you water. When the roots turn back to white - water again. Simple.

[Cattleya17]

Great advice guys!!!! yeah ive never like growing in moss. but it came that way. i can never tell when the moss is dry. with bark i know that ive got about a week or less. i do like growing in clear plastic ill have to go get a new one ive already got the bark. its easier to see the root condition. and i will definately post photos of it when it blooms!!!! its a Dtps. Tzu Chiang Orange Crossed with Phal Carribean Sunset has mostly the carribean sunset properties wonderfuly fragrant!