Wobbly After Potting?

[Npsen]

So I just repotted two of my phals that were in moss, I potted them in a bark mix, however they are wobbly? I tried to get the bark ect to fill the pot best I could...perhaps it could also be the pot ?

It is a VERY thin plastic,, not firm at all ...should I try to repot them again? or do you think they are fine?

[RosieC]

I once saw a vidio demonstration of repotting phals that said you should be able to pick them up by the leaves and the pot not fall off. Not sure I've ever actually done that, but they should be stable in the pot.

I'm not sure what to suggest, I've sometimes taken them out and started again when they have ended up wobbly and got better results the second time even though I didn't really do anything different.

If you can't get it after a couple of tries though I would leave it and just try and be careful when moving it, so that new roots can settle and secure it.

---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 AM ----------

It could be the fault of the pot, if it's very thin. When the plant wobbles is the pot also flexing?

[Gage]

I agree with Rosie, you should be able to pick the whole thing up by the leaves and the pot stay on. This can be done by either packing the media tightly, or by tying the plant into the pot, or both. I almost always tie my orchids into the pot. I do this by taking a length of thin gauge aluminum wire or florist wire and making an upside down U. Then place the upside down U over the rhizome or root mass (find any good place) and put the ends of the wire through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Then just twist the ends of the wire together until the plant is secure in the pot.

[james mickelso]

Another method

[NYCorchidman]

Phals usually stay quite stable after repotting as long as there are enough roots.

If not, then they get wobbly. You can stake them although staking may be tricker than catts since phals are flat and leaves can get easily damaged.

This is when leaving an old spike intact comes in handy. You can use the old spike to tie an extra support devise onto, at least that is what I found useful at one point in the past.

Another way to try is, assuming that there are not enough roots or remaining roots are trimmed too short to properly anchor the plant, use long stand moss rather than bark chips.
Take moss and wrap it around the root, but too tightly but not too loosely either.
Then have the plant sit above the rim of the pot and make it stay elevated until enough roots develop during the growth season.
Then repot again carefully.