Black lumps on Phalaenopsis stem?

[orchidlover124]

Hello!

So I just recently ordered a Timothy Christopher from Orchids.com, and it looks healthy apart from these odd black lumps on the stem. I'm thinking they're stunted roots, that didn't get to grow because the orchid was packed wet (ugh) and therefor rotted? I would just like to know if this is normal, as I don't want this to spread to any other plants if it's something contagious. If it matters it looked like it came with a dead leaf they had cut off, which I trimmed off a bit more to expose these. I'm new to orchids but I had purchased a few in the past and had similar issues with roots being blackish at the base as well. Not sure if this means they're no longer good or what. On the second picture I also noticed a very small spot that seems to be coming from inside he stem, and it's got a bit of a bump when I touch it. No clue what this is either. Any help would really be appreciated! The shipping on this was ridiculous lol so I would really like to know if I ended up with a sick orchid. Thanks!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

What are your temperatures day/night? Phals do best with warm temperatures.

Those do look like root nubs that stopped growing. The moss in the pot is quite old and the plant could be repotted now. The first thing I would do would be to slip the moss ball out of the plastic liner pot, and put it someplace warm and with good air circulation to dry out. Then decide what medium you wish to use for your plant.

[orchidlover124]

Thank you!

Around 65 to 70 degrees, indoors.

I would love to repot it but I was told to wait about 30 days, otherwise I could damage the plant. It's in bloom/bud now so that's probably why. I'm definitely letting it dry out first though.

[Dollythehun]

I repot them in spike and I've never lost one. Just be more careful or make a newspaper sleeve for the spike before you proceed. Phals are very accommodating.

[WaterWitchin]

Same as Dolly says. I've repotted many, in spike, and they never missed a beat. It will be much healthier for the plant to get it out of the old moss and into a better medium.

And your second question... "On the second picture I also noticed a very small spot that seems to be coming from inside he stem, and it's got a bit of a bump when I touch it." It's probably a new root coming out, and just not far enough out to see it yet. Roots will come out above a leaf at times, not just below the bottom leaves.

[orchidlover124]

Thank you for the input! I will definitely repot it asap then. I'm assuming it is also fine to keep with other plants until then.