first repotting, teacup phal

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

It's fine. Wipe off the leaves and water it well.

embarrassing!
done and done.

thank you

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by tedro

is this in deep enough?
(attached pics)

Tedro - I am new to orchids too. Enjoyed your first? repotting! I also use Repot.Me orchid mix and my orchids are doing great. Here is my concern: I soak the bark mix for a couple of hours in warm water to hydrate it before repotting. You did not do this. Not sure if it is necessary, but somewhere I read that it was a good thing to do. Any comments from the experts?

[tedro]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

Tedro - I am new to orchids too. Enjoyed your first? repotting! I also use Repot.Me orchid mix and my orchids are doing great. Here is my concern: I soak the bark mix for a couple of hours in warm water to hydrate it before repotting. You did not do this. Not sure if it is necessary, but somewhere I read that it was a good thing to do. Any comments from the experts?

Thanks realoldbeachbum! I saw a video where a guy did that, too. I asked *somewhere in here! and someone said either not to or not necessary, so I didn’t.

I was a beach bum! Va. Beach!

---------- Post added at 08:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

I did water it completely a while after repotting.

90% of the roots are hidden by the media now.
I wonder how often I should water it?

Mine had two lowest leaves when I got it, one was yellow. I removed it after a few days. A few weeks later it's opposite lowest leaf turned yellow and I removed it.

Everything has been great ever since. I enjoyed the original flowers and one remained, when I got the bonus branch... 20 buds, at least 10 in bloom now.
Meanwhile, 2 smaller leaves are growing way down low (maybe they were there before? I'll check my pictures Orchid 1 - Google Photos
! one kind of in the medium (even still after my repot yesterday).
These remain small and one, both really, one started first, are yellowing (see attached pic).

I read that yellow was too much light; I also read too much water (root rot).

What's happening? What to watch for? What to do?

Since I just repotted, not sure when to water! I did not soak bark... oldbeachbum, if you're reading: soaking first might have an advantage for a beginner (me!) because, hey, I could check the bark dryness to help me know when to water during this crucial time! Idk, I'm just guessing.

seems to be a hearty little guy, I hope he makes it and flourishes!

[Dollythehun]

Water thoroughly. Lift the plant and note the weight. Lift every day. When it feels light, water thoroughly again.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Water thoroughly. Lift the plant and note the weight. Lift every day. When it feels light, water thoroughly again.

Wow, that’s smart! Thanks!

I failed to say: I have never feed it! I have the feed all ready, mixed, ready to go. I was thinking next watering?

YES! I lift my lucky bamboo to tell when it’s dry!

It does run right fully out of this pot and medium! I have to experiment feeling the weight!
Thanks, Dollythehun!

ps. oh wow, I just checked it and it’s light as a feather. This medium you know is really dry I did not soak it. I watered thoroughly ran it through a couple of times yesterday after I about 24 hours ago I guess, if I’m thinking clearly! probably not
oops, almost you did say if it was light to water it so I should water it now I suppose. kinda scary!

[Veksa]

These 2 bottom leaves will fall off naturally eventually. You will see roots and condition of bark through the pot, silver roots dry bark is a signal to water, also as above mentoned by weight. There is a good thread attached on top on how to check inside with skewers. If leaves are yellowing from tips it is a natural proccess, if yellowing or browning at the base then it is a consern.

[tedro]

2 pics attached.

Those (pic) are the only (2) roots I can see in the new pot, at this time.
Second pic, when touch that green one on the left, it feels ... ok.

I’m waiting until tomorrow to, of course, recheck
— absent you guys telling me otherwise.

Thank you, Veksa, thank you all so much.

Fyi, see that clear pot, I thought those vertical lines were vents, they aren't, but you can see the ring of small holes around the circumference in several places; the bottom has nice holes, but strangely not in the center. (This is the inner pot of 2-piece pot I bought, 3 actually, counting the little saucer.

[Veksa]

I think I can see some root in 2nd picture. Orchid pots supposed to have holes around bottom and raised "bump" in the center, additional holes can be made with heated screwdriver or other tools.
Btw, if you turn you inner pot upside down, does it look like this? Meshpot 4 Inches Plastic Clear Orchid Pot With Holes,Flower Pot Planter Orchid Planter Container Prevent Rotting-in Flower Pots & Planters from Home & Garden on AliExpress

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Veksa

I think I can see some root in 2nd picture. Orchid pots supposed to have holes around bottom and raised "bump" in the center, additional holes can be made with heated screwdriver or other tools.
Btw, if you turn you inner pot upside down, does it look like this? Meshpot 4 Inches Plastic Clear Orchid Pot With Holes,Flower Pot Planter Orchid Planter Container Prevent Rotting-in Flower Pots & Planters from Home & Garden on AliExpress

Hi, Yes, Veksa, that’s sorta like my pot (but I got white outer). So, no “raised bump,” I did see those (raised center bump) in a video AFTER I already bought.
I hope that one I got is good?

Yes, you see a little root.

And! thanks for the HEATED tip! I could have used 2 weeks ago when I had trouble making more holes/slits in the original “cup” pot!

Btw, I may not even use the outer.
Ok, I just watered (through/flush once) and feed (through/flush again). I roll/tilt that pot around a few times to allow any remaining water to escape fully.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by tedro

Thanks realoldbeachbum! I saw a video where a guy did that, too. I asked *somewhere in here! and someone said either not to or not necessary, so I didn’t.

I was a beach bum! Va. Beach!

---------- Post added at 08:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

I did water it completely a while after repotting.

90% of the roots are hidden by the media now.
I wonder how often I should water it?

Mine had two lowest leaves when I got it, one was yellow. I removed it after a few days. A few weeks later it's opposite lowest leaf turned yellow and I removed it.

Everything has been great ever since. I enjoyed the original flowers and one remained, when I got the bonus branch... 20 buds, at least 10 in bloom now.
Meanwhile, 2 smaller leaves are growing way down low (maybe they were there before? I'll check my pictures Orchid 1 - Google Photos
! one kind of in the medium (even still after my repot yesterday).
These remain small and one, both really, one started first, are yellowing (see attached pic).

I read that yellow was too much light; I also read too much water (root rot).

What's happening? What to watch for? What to do?

Since I just repotted, not sure when to water! I did not soak bark... oldbeachbum, if you're reading: soaking first might have an advantage for a beginner (me!) because, hey, I could check the bark dryness to help me know when to water during this crucial time! Idk, I'm just guessing.

seems to be a hearty little guy, I hope he makes it and flourishes!

Hello Tedro. I am a realoldbeachbum wannabe!! Got the "real old" covered and working on the beachbum part.

I am so new to orchids that I hesitate to provide advice, but one way I tell when my orchids need water is to look for condensation on the inside of the pot. I ALWAYS use clear pots so I can monitor roots and moisture. If there is condensation, I wait another day. It works for me. So far (fingers crossed) I have not lost an orchid. I have 31 and they are mostly rescues from big box stores!!!

Totally addicted.