New Phal Question

[cutebeka]

So my mom purchased me what I believe is a Phal,it's deffinately a NOID because there was no tag attached. If I figure out how to post pics in mypost i'll put one up. Anyway,i've had it for about a month the flowers are just starting to die but i did notice the roots do not look too good. I think it was purchased this way,it seems very healthy otehrwise,just the roots. Should i repot now and cut the roots or wait until the flowers fall?

Thank you,still new to this,
Beka

[Blueszz]

Hi Beka,
the roots are the most important for the plant. Without roots, no water, no nutrients. If I have a plant with bad roots I always repot to save the plant, in spike or not. Of coarse it's up to you which choice you make
You could post some pictures from the entire plant + close up from the roots (in the pot of the pot is translucent or unpotted). Giving you a good advise is easier when we see what is going on.

Nicole

[Paul Mc]

I agree that the roots are the most important part. If you replant now it may affect the blooms (make them die off quicker) although phal's are less susceptible to this out of all of the orchids. I have repotted phal's in bloom without any issues whatsoever. You just have to be extremely careful not to knock or break them off while working with the roots.

[cutebeka]

It was in a clear pot and it looked like the roots were brown and mushy,I just ended up repotting it just because the roots looked pretty bad. Which is odd since all my other ones are fine and i usually water them all the same day. That's why I think my mom purchased it like that and I didn't even notice until a couple days ago and have been debating to repot or not. A few of the blooms are already withered. Anyway thank you all for the advice,we will see what happens since i repotted

[Paul Mc]

One other thought about the blooms though. When orchids in bloom switch environments (from the store, another person's home to your own home), there is a lot of environmental stress on the plant as it adjusts to the new home. Usually, this means that any flowers that are open will not last very long. Phal's tend to be a little different and tend to really hang onto the flowers, but they too are susceptable to stresses just not at the same degree.

Good luck with your new orchid!

[cutebeka]

Paul,
Thank you!! It's lasted about a month and my 1st one lasted 2 months,I just had to cut the spike on that one and i'm getting a new leaf. I'm sure once it gets used to the environment more they will be okay. I have 6 Phals total and they all are fine except for this lil purple one that I had to repot,i'm also getting a new leaf on one that's in bloom which I thought was odd but i'm happy with it. thank you so much again!

One last thought,
On the purple one that I repotted should I cut the spike too? I don't wanna cause too muchs tress since it's still in bloom.

[Paul Mc]

Possibly, it really depends. Producing and maintaining flowers really puts a lot of stress on the plant as it has to have a lot of energy to produce them. If you have several really healthy roots (and hopefully a few forming - nubs) then I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you only have say one or two healthy roots then it might be best as those roots may not be able to sustain the leaves and the flowers.

[cutebeka]

Thanks again. I'm going to cut it I onl have a couple healthy roots. Should i cut all the way to the base or leave a node or two?I'm such a newbie thanks for the patience

[Paul Mc]

There are varying schools of thought on this, but many people seem to agree that they should be cut at either the first or second node. Personally, I much prefer cutting it all the way back once it has completely dried out. You'll also want to sprinkle the cut very lightly with regular cinnamon as it acts like an anti-viral/bacterial.

BTW, we all have to learn somehow and somewhere and Lord knows we've all started out not knowing anything at all. The only stupid question (in my opinion) is the one not asked.

[cutebeka]

Thank you!! I just cut it to the 2nd node and used the cinnamon. I cut my first one the other day but left 3 nodes because someone suggested since that one had really healthy roots i could cut it to the 3rd node and it may rebloom off the original spike.