Should I re-pot this Paphiopedilum? + Phal potting question

[Setebos]

Hello lovely Orchid Board people

I have a Paphiopedilum x maudiae (this is what it says on the pot, not 100% sure what this means!) which looks a bit big for its pot, but I have read they quite like being in a small container. So I am not sure whether it needs potting!

Here are a few pics:






The pot is 9cm in size, for scale. What do you think? Also, must they be in an opaque pot? I have a spare clear pot which is 11cm, but it's quite a bit deeper as well.

My question about Phalaenopsis is, should they ALWAYS go into a larger pot when repotting? I think all my phals need repotting once they have dropped their flowers as they have loads of roots coming out the bottom, but I'm worried that the plants will never stop growing if I do this! I only have so much windowsill space!! Is there ever a situation where you should remove healthy roots if there are just too many of them?

Thanks in advance guys

[wintergirl]

When I repot my phals they all generally go back into the same size pot unless there was really big growth. You go by root size not foliage size. Usually you can get all those roots back in there once you get old media out. You can trim roots but with a phal it is usually not needed. I like to keep all healthy roots intact. If the plant tends to be top heavy you can put that pot inside a heavier outer pot.

I don't grow any paphs yet so I won't address that one.

[Setebos]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

When I repot my phals they all generally go back into the same size pot unless there was really big growth. You go by root size not foliage size. Usually you can get all those roots back in there once you get old media out. You can trim roots but with a phal it is usually not needed. I like to keep all healthy roots intact. If the plant tends to be top heavy you can put that pot inside a heavier outer pot.

I don't grow any paphs yet so I won't address that one.

Thanks for your reply! With my Phals I can see several layers of coiled up roots at the bottom of the pot. Do you think this generally indicates that it needs a larger size? My plants just won't stop growing roots - they look very healthy so I am pleased, I just wish they would slow down their growth a little

I have not re-potted an orchid before, sorry if these are silly questions.

[dangerouseddy]

phal roots seem to hug the outside edge of the pot so there will probably be plenty of room in there when you come to repot it

[Setebos]

Originally Posted by dangerouseddy

phal roots seem to hug the outside edge of the pot so there will probably be plenty of room in there when you come to repot it

Thanks, good to know! Think I will hold back on buying bigger pots until I can inspect the roots properly... All my phals are in flower, which is lovely, but I'm now itching to re-pot them!

[wintergirl]

There will be room trust me. Once you slowly roll the pot and loosen things, slide the pot off. (Some people water before taking media/plant out to make it come out easier.) Pick out all the old media. Take your time and try to get all. Sometimes a few pieces are stuck to a root almost like glue, you can leave those. After all the media is gone hold the plant over the empty pot you are using. Fill the media while holding the plant in place. You want the top of the plant where it has been, you don't want to plant it too deep. Fill in all around. Gently tuck pieces in so your plant is in there snugly and doesn't move around. I usually wait a day or two after repotting to water. Especially if you watered before the repot. Keeping the pots dry a couple days allows the roots to heal from all the movement.

[Setebos]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

There will be room trust me. Once you slowly roll the pot and loosen things, slide the pot off. (Some people water before taking media/plant out to make it come out easier.) Pick out all the old media. Take your time and try to get all. Sometimes a few pieces are stuck to a root almost like glue, you can leave those. After all the media is gone hold the plant over the empty pot you are using. Fill the media while holding the plant in place. You want the top of the plant where it has been, you don't want to plant it too deep. Fill in all around. Gently tuck pieces in so your plant is in there snugly and doesn't move around. I usually wait a day or two after repotting to water. Especially if you watered before the repot. Keeping the pots dry a couple days allows the roots to heal from all the movement.

Thanks very much for the advice!