Blooming Phal., + repotting - Orchid Board

picea · #1 12-12-2013, 01:38 AM

hello there!
I have a question that I can't seem to find much information on. I'm hoping one of you very knowledgable people might be able to offer some advice.

I have a phalaenopsis that I am koo koo over. It's really brilliant! I've had it for 3 years, and it seems quite happy. It definitely needs repotting, it feels like it wants to bust out of it's pot, but on the other hand, it really hasn't stopped a succession of blooms. I could use some advice... Do I repot this little lady, or no? As I mentioned earlier, it is quite happy, with beautiful dark green firm leaves. But is definitely pot bound.

mooburr · #2 12-12-2013, 08:38 PM

Some pictures would help if you're able to post them! You could repot, cut remaining spikes and let the plant recharge for more blooms next season.

WhiteRabbit · #3 12-13-2013, 08:23 PM

Have you ever repotted it? What type of media is it in? How do roots look?

picea · #4 12-14-2013, 08:16 PM

The roots have some green tips to them, and no, none of my orchids have been repotted yet. The growing medium for this orchid is shagnum moss, it has seemed quite happy in it, so far.

Having said that! I have another question! The leaves that have grown in in the past year are slightly smaller than the leaves that were grown some time ago.

We live in quite a forest, and I was worried about placing these guys on the south facing window sill, up until 3 months ago. They are there now, and seem to be quite happy to get a little extra light. Do you think that's why the leaves are smaller?

I also haven't used any fertilizer... at all. It must be time, right?

WhiteRabbit · #5 12-15-2013, 04:01 PM

Very old sphag ... probably would be a good idea to get it in fresh media.

I don't know how much light your south facing window gets this time of year, when the sun is low in the southern sky (or how close to the window your plants are) - my south facing window (single pane, untreated clear glass, with plants right next to the glass) gets too much sun for Phals this time of year ... but if yours haven't burned it's good

Smaller new leaves indicate a problem tho. I don't know what it may be in your case ... I think checking roots, fresh media, and regular (weakly, weekly) fertilizer can't hurt.

Post a photo if you can, please?

picea · #6 12-16-2013, 03:26 AM

I will definitely post a picture tomorrow.
I repotted it this weekend, using a mix of bark, perlite, charcoal and a small amount of sphagnum moss.
I will start using a fertilizer on next week's watering. I'm a little concerned of over watering!

All orchids are on the south facing window, we do live in a forested area of the west coast. We really don't get a whole lot of direct sun here! And certainly haven't seen any scorched leaves.

Ok! I'll check back in tomorrow with some pictures.

Thanks for your help!

Brenda Aarts · #7 12-16-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picea

I will definitely post a picture tomorrow.
I repotted it this weekend, using a mix of bark, perlite, charcoal and a small amount of sphagnum moss.

All orchids are on the south facing window, we do live in a forested area of the west coast. We really don't get a whole lot of direct sun here! And certainly haven't seen any scorched leaves.

Thanks for your help!

The mix sounds great, she should be happy. I have most of my hybrid phals in south west windows and they are doing very well....where others say indirect light only....you will find what works for you. I think they can take a lot more light than what we are led to believe. Most of mine are in spike at present as well. Good luck.

picea · #8 12-16-2013, 09:24 PM

Hello again,

Here are a couple of pictures of the phal in question. She's all potted up in the new growing medium, all seems to be well. I think I would like to wait a bit before repotting the remaining phals.

Thank you for your help and advice. It's very appreciated!

Paphluvr · #9 12-17-2013, 09:38 AM

Getting it out of the old mix and into something new was a good idea, but now that it is re-potted you'll definitely want to fertilize it on a regular basis. As one of the previous replies said, weakly weekly or at least twice/month with a slightly stronger brew.

One observation. Phal's tend to get rather top heavy what with the large leaves and long stems. Pots with wider bottoms tend to be more steady and less prone to tipping with resultant loss of flowers.