newbie needs help w/repotting phal

[eddieg]

Hi,
I know NOTHING about orchids but rescued a phal from the office dustbin. Since in my care it has added 6 leaves, bloomed once & put out lots of 'touchy-feelies' (which looked plumper a short time ago). it recently lost a lower leaf & I'm thinking it needs repotting for fresh medium. I've read the threads re soaking the bark (Home Depot phal medium) & trimming the rotted roots. Anything else I should do? (unfortunately pic will not upload)

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

Sounds like it's been happy with the care you have been giving it. Chunky orchid bark mix is a good choice (remember, even after soaking, fresh bark will dry very quickly for a few weeks, and so need to be watered more often than old bark). Cut off any mushy, soft roots. Use a pot size that will just accommodate the roots.

Others with more Phal knowledge and experience than myself may have more tips for you! Good luck!

[eddieg]

Thanks, Sonya! I think the pot it's in is ok in size, but just needs fresh/better medium

[NYCorchidman]

Apparently, you've been doing a great job and know something!

six more leaves and reblooming once under your care means you've had the plant at least one year?
I don't know what kind of phal you have, but the standard large phals grow one or two leaves per year (when winter is "cooler" and they do not grow). some intermediate ones grow more than four per year.

With six new leaves, you should be looking forward double or even triple spikes!

[eddieg]

okay, it was a real mess in there! everything below ground was dead, but there are lots of long healthy roots that were hanging outside toe pot. do i put some or all of those inside the pot?

[WhiteRabbit]

if you can get them in the pot without breaking them, I would do that

[james mickelso]

If the remaining roots are too long to fit into a pot without breaking, I would cut the roots off to a size that would fit into a larger pot and cover with course bark. but that is what "I" would do. So the next best thing would be to get a larger pot that would more easily fit the roots, a bunch of foam peanuts, and medium bark or a bark mix. Put the peanuts into the bottom of the pot to within 3 inches of the top of the pot, place the phal into the pot, and place the bark mix around and over the roots. Tie the phal into the pot and water well. The reason for the larger pot is to allow the phal to re-establish a root system that can be put into a smaller pot. Any new roots can be made to go down into the mix closer to the center of the phal. After a year or two the remaining long roots can be slowly cut back and new roots will grow from them and down into the mix. When new roots form I take out some of the mix under them so they can be forced down into the pot, place a heavy object on the top of them to keep them down and recover them with bark mix.

[eddieg]

thanks! I had a pot slightly larger & was able to curl some of the longer roots into the mix. some are still out; it seems a nice balance. I fear I may have trimmed too many of the dried up brown roots off, but so far so good, it's in the same shape as when I re-potted. thanks to all for the advice.

[eddieg]

OK, I think we're going to make it - all the leaves are still viable, and the aerial roots I see are plump & vigorous. I'm such a proud parent!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by eddieg

OK, I think we're going to make it - all the leaves are still viable, and the aerial roots I see are plump & vigorous. I'm such a proud parent!

Excellent!