Should I transplant an old phal? - Orchid Board

Kath · #1 01-24-2009, 08:57 AM

I have a phal I'd like to keep for sentamental reasons,but the roots are coming ouit of the pot. (cf photo). Can I transplant it and do I put the plant into the medium up as far as where the leaves start.

Thanks for your help!

BikerDoc5968 · #2 01-24-2009, 10:26 AM

IMHO, YES! Yes to both .... If you have SuperThrive or KLN available, I'd do a 5 to 10 minute soak of the bare-rooted plant and then repot. This will soften the roots and make it easier to replant without breaking the roots. Also romove those dead brown roots and any others that are nasty looking. And replant to the base of the leaves, even though it looks like your plant is trying to put out a spike (1st pic, base on the right). Good growing!

Kath · #3 01-24-2009, 10:30 AM

Wow! That's really cheered me up. I thought that once past a certain age, an orchid died quietly, and moved on to greener pastures! Those greener pastures could be here! THANKS!

Ethan · #4 01-24-2009, 10:42 AM

Hi, Kath!

Heck, no - orchids can live indefinitely with proper care. They just keep growing and growing. Every so often (as in your case) you have to cut off the old dead stuff and repot the new stuff. This is why we love orchids!!!

BikerDoc5968 · #5 01-24-2009, 11:03 AM

If you don't have SuperThrive or KLN, just give 'em a soak in some warm water after you've removed all the nasty stuff and replant just to the base.

Kath · #6 01-24-2009, 11:07 AM

Thanks for your advice. I've still got a lot to learn, but it's fun. I just hope I can keep it alive! The last time I tried to repot some chids, I lost them all! Don't ask me what I did, I think I just about broke every rule in the book!