first repotting, teacup phal

[tedro]

Hi,
I have "teacup" Phalaenopsis.
It's in its orginal see thru small plastic cup, which sits inside a small vase as simply a holder, the cup has a wick out the bottom so a holder is necessary to remain upright.

First, I wish to ask: At what point do the roots start coming out and into the air just hanging out?
Does that happen naturally when the cup is too tiny? If so, should I not repot until they do?

I realize that I most likely will not repot until after blooming -- blooming finished, but i have a rare bonus spike out the single main spike... this bonus (and fasciated) spike is blooming now and has about 20 buds!
After this is all completely gone is most likely, if not sooner, when i repot. So, i want to start getting a handle on exactly what i'm going to do.
This little guy (my first orchid) is just awesome!
here's a photo album: orchid #1 - Google Photos

the last picture (should be last) is originally when i bought it, that image has a color filter (not same/real color).

---------- Post added at 07:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------

well, i think i've found something that indeed answers all of my questions! this youtube...
How to Repot a Phalaenopsis Orchid - YouTube

[Veksa]

There are no photos in your album.

[aliceinwl]

You can repot a Phalaenopsis anytime. As long as you don’t damage the roots, the flowers will be fine. Phalaenopsis should be repotted when the media starts to break down, the media it’s in is not suited to your growing conditions, or it’s out-growing its pot. If you feel either of the first two options to be the case, it’s better to repot immediately rather than wait for flowering to be completed (I have a Phalaenopsis that’s been in bloom continuously since May 2018 so this can be a never ending proposition).

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Veksa

There are no photos in your album.

there are now!
(i don’t know what happened, but it seems to be fixed now)

[tedro]

Hi,

Can you see these pics? Do i need to repot?
orchid roots - Google Photos

Thanks!

[Veksa]

Originally Posted by tedro

Hi,

Can you see these pics? Do i need to repot?
orchid roots - Google Photos

Thanks!

Yes and yes. This cup is not suitable for long term keeping, it has zero ventilation. Find slightly bigger cup so roots will have some room to grow.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Veksa

Yes and yes. This cup is not suitable for long term keeping, it has zero ventilation. Find slightly bigger cup so roots will have some room to grow.

Thanks, i agree.
Until then i could put a few vents in the cup?

[Veksa]

Originally Posted by tedro

Thanks, i agree.
Until then i could put a few vents in the cup?

Honestly, I wouldn't bother, just make sure you are not overwatering it.

[tedro]

Hi all,

Do you recommend this?
Phalaenopsis Orchid Starter Kit

– rePotme

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:02 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Veksa

Honestly, I wouldn't bother, just make sure you are not overwatering it.

Hi Veksa,
On “overwatering”: i thought that as long as it doesn’t stand in water — that all water drains out well — that it would somewhat difficult to overwater an orchid?
or, should you allow an orchid to become thoroughly dry, perhaps they like to be water starved a bit, aka dry?

[Mountaineer370]

That "cup" your orchid is in is something nurseries use in large quantity to start young plants, and then they are usually just sold in the same little thin plastic pot. Having just that one ventilation hole on the bottom is totally unsuitable for the long run. See how the roots in of your orchid are very green? I bet they stay that color all the time. You want a pot with enough ventilation that those roots will go from green to silver as the plant uses the water you give it, and then the silvery roots will be an indication it is again time to water. I bet your orchid is also packed tightly in sphagnum moss, another thing nurseries do, with good reason, but not suitable for the long run, as it will keep the roots much too wet and without suitable air flow. On top of that, you are putting that cup inside a small vase, which further impedes air flow and retains moisture.

When I get an orchid in that kind of pot, I repot as soon as possible. Phals generally tolerate repotting anytime, as long as you are gentle with them.

As far as the orchid starter kit you linked to, I personally don't use sphagnum moss at all for my Phals, but others here do. Just remember that sphagnum will keep the roots wetter for longer periods of time, so depending on what potting medium you use, adjust your watering accordingly.

Those pots are the exact ones I like to use. I doubt your orchid will need the 5" pot for a while, if ever, depending on its mature size. I can't tell from the photo what size yours is, though calling it a teacup orchid tells me it is very tiny, so the 4" pot may be okay, or maybe it needs a 3" pot for now.

The MSU fertilizer is used by many of us here, and the amount you get in that starter kit will be very tiny, but unless you suddenly acquire a dozen more orchids, it will be enough to last for quite a while. Make sure to read up on when and how much to fertilize.