moss to bark?

[mnguyen110]

I bought some phals in bloom and when the bloom is finished i plan on repoting. Can i go from moss straight to bark or is it too much of a shock for the roots?

Was thinking maybe do 50/50 moss and bark this year and no moss the following year.

[SlipperGirl]

I would think so you just may need to make sure you water it. but I dont know I have never done that I just put my orchids in moss.

[WhiteRabbit]

I've not had any problems repotting into bark after plants have been in sphag - make sure to soak the bark first, and check frequently to see if the plants need water. New bark dries very quickly for the first few weeks. Using a skewer in the media is very helpful.

[Ray]

The bark environment, being entirely different from the moss one, will require the plant to grow a new root system optimized for the new environment. That is true of ANY change.

Rather than stressing the plant twice, I would make the "big switch" all at once, following these guidelines:

1) Repot just as new roots are emerging from the base of the plant. Those new roots will be the long-term "sustainers" of the plant, and we expect the old roots to fade away.

2) Keep the plant really warm, and the bark really well-watered while it is adapting. Warmth favors quick root growth; the high moisture level will keep the older roots alive longer (that's what they are optimized for, coming from moss) while the new ones take over.