Should I repot this phal?

[No-Pro-mwa]

I'm not sure about the pin bark either as I have never used it. But as far as the pot goes I'd put it in as small a pot as the roots will fit in.

[rbarata]

Pine trees here (this and this) grow everywhere and are an important economic business in my country. Hence, bark made of these are used in almost every plants. Probably more than 90% of the orchids you'll see here, are potted with it. Not only because is cheap, but also because plants like it. Obviously, there are alternatives...better or worse, I really don't know.

About the pot, since the black pot in the pictures have another one, smaller, inside, I think I will use one of the back pot size.

[bil]

For phals, I repot in coarse fir bark and nothing more. Plus, I don't like small tight pots. In the wild they grow with no media and the roots unrestrained.

[rbarata]

I've visited a huge garden center, with a large collection of orchids, where I bought my first paph (leenun). Coincidently, there was an orchid workshop going on.

I asked one of the guys about fir bark and his answer was: "Never heard of it! For a Phal, use pine bark, that's the best."

I guess both are ok, it all depends on the availability of pines or firs where each one of us lives.

[rbarata]

I have one more question... I want keikis from this plant. If this is the case, I shouldn't cut the flower spike when reppoting, right?

[Cym Ladye]

For all you want to know and more, visit the Beginner page on the OB Forum and read the "Phal abuse ends here" sticky. All sorts of good info.

99% of all barks sold for orchids is fir not pine bark because, unless it is a specific hard type pine and specifically treated as is Orchiata, pine breaks down faster. I would not pay much attention to anyone demonstrating how to pot orchids who does not know the difference between the two.

[wintergirl]

Here ya go:

The Phal abuse ends here.

[rbarata]

99% of all barks sold for orchids is fir not pine bark because, unless it is a specific hard type pine and specifically treated as is Orchiata, pine breaks down faster.

Well, as I explained before, fir is not a common specie in my country and, as far as I know, it's hard to find (if it is sold anywhere). Pine is used here for many things (related with gardening and many other purposes) with good results.

I would not pay much attention to anyone demonstrating how to pot orchids who does not know the difference between the two.

This statement is somewhat extreme, just my oppinion. A good argument could be: if pine bark is more degradable, so people who use it have much more experience in repotting orchids.