Should I repot this phal?

[rbarata]

Hello, my friends

I got this Phal almost three years ago. It was a gift and I've never repot it. Inside the black pot, there's another one, smaller and similar to those used on orchids (I'm assuming because I've never see it, just the top of it).

This plant has been a faithfull bloomer, twice a year (you can see from the pics that there's some blooms again on the way). The dying leaves are the old ones (you can see the new leaves are comming from a basal keiki - may I call it a keiki?) and there's another small leaf growing already.

I've never repoted a Phal and I'm not sure if this one needs it? Looking at the pictures, what do you think?

[dbarron]

All you had to do was say 3 years and I immediately said...yes.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by dbarron

All you had to do was say 3 years and I immediately said...yes.

That's what I was thinking.

[rbarata]

That's what I tought too...I believe that should be done when the flowers die, right?

[dbarron]

Well, if you're a good repotter, you can do it anytime I think..and the phal shouldn't really blink. I would do it now, and not worry about secondary blooms at all.

[rbarata]

Well, although I have been growing orchids some years ago, I started to learn specifically more about each genera only 3 years ago. I've never repot any of my orchids...the ones that are with me for years were repoted by a friend who frequently offers me some symbs. She's the one who did all the repots so far.

I guess I just have to do it myslef for the first time. I'm tempted to use those transparent pots so that I can inspect the roots. Is it ok to use pine bark? Or should I use something else? Here they sell a mixture for orchids but it doesn't see to provide good ventilation for the roots. So, I don't know for which genera this mixture is suitable.

[dbarron]

I really really like transparent pots...did I say I liked transparent pots, well I really do.
I ended up buying both pots and media from repotme.com, and it was my first time to buy from there, and I've been really pleased with the media and the pots.
I first went around looking at big box stores (aka Lowes) and didn't like what I found for orchid media, and decided I had to do the specialty shop and order. I do warn you, that the shipping from there (maybe you look at another vendor, can't think just now) will scare you. I will probably try to order from someplace else next time too, but I was happy with the product.

[rbarata]

Well, it's not my intention to order online when I can get to a gardner shop and buy it.
But what do you think about pine bark? The medium now seems to be just that, and the Phal seems happy with it.

[dbarron]

Pine bark has a reputation of breaking down pretty fast, versus like fir bark or coconut husks. But I'm of the opinion that you can grow in about anything if you're A) willing to repot when required B) tailor water needs to your media C) possibly increase airflow or decrease (as required)

[rbarata]

It's not common to find fir bark in here. That's a specie not common. Pines, on the contrary, are everywhere and, probably, cheaper. I'll try to find it in a specialty store... the guys where I bought my Paph probably have it.
And what about pot sizes? How do Phals like it?