When is it time to repot?

[ladybree]

Hi, I'm a new member of this forum and a relatively new orchid grower.

I received a phalaenopsis as a gift back in May. Most of the blooms have died and is almost ready to be trimmed. There is new leaf growth and lots of root growth as well.

I'm not sure if I should repot or at least get rid of the moss and plant it with new media?

Thanks for your help!

[Cavs n' Orchids]

The roots look happy and healthy, so it must be happy in its pot. Wait till after its next flowering, and if the moss seems pretty broken down or smelly, then you can repot. My Phals are happiest when they are rootbound. Hope this helps!

[Eyebabe]

If the moss is getting stale, you can replace it but it seems to me that the size of the pot is fine.

[Gage]

I would at least take it out of the pot to see what the roots underneath look like. I have had some new Phals that turn out to have fantastic roots, and some with great roots on top and dead roots underneath. That said, yours looks super healthy in the pic!

[RosieC]

I would probably check the roots. If they seem happy down in the pot then replace with fresh moss, otherwise you might want to think about a different medium like bark.

The pot size looks about right, Phals seem to do better on the tight side. However make sure there are holes in the bottom so it can drain properly.

[Gin]

I would see about the roots in the pot as Rosie said thing is if you let it go to long the roots out of the pot get very long and are harder to go into a new pot with out breakage even if you soak them . I had one grow roots to the bench .. About the moss if happy in it I would not change medium just give new ... that is a very good looking plant .. Gin

[ladybree]

Thank you all for your advice and compliments.

I will pull the plant out of the pot and check the roots underneath this weekend when I have more time.

[Jim.Leaman]

Nice roots! Phals like to be re-potted yearly(at least that my advise). New Zealand sphagnum moss is widely used to re-pot Phals. Remove the plant from the pot, soak the roots to make pliable, gently place the moss around the plant until it feel packed. Water weekly. When the moss no longer dries, it time to replace it. I replace mine from 9mo to one year.

Originally Posted by ladybree

Hi, I'm a new member of this forum and a relatively new orchid grower.

I received a phalaenopsis as a gift back in May. Most of the blooms have died and is almost ready to be trimmed. There is new leaf growth and lots of root growth as well.

I'm not sure if I should repot or at least get rid of the moss and plant it with new media?

Thanks for your help!

[silken]

The plant looks healthy, but I agree with those suggesting to unpot it and check the roots. There is a good chance there is a tight wet ball of moss in the centre right under the crown that cannot dry out as fast as the rest and can cause root rot.

I always slide mine out of the pot the minute they come home and at the very least remove about 1/2 of the moss and get the stuff under the crown pulled away. The roots like to be able to breath so they need some small air pockets rather than very tight moss. I usually use half bark and half moss when re-potting as they can be unhappy when their media is completely changed.