Repotting a phal - Orchid Board

jackpot · #1 10-23-2015, 06:33 AM

Hello!

As I am new to caring for orchids, when I bought my phals I just thought I'd enjoy the blooms first, and then repot when the spikes would die off.

But because I learned some thing in the meantime, the flowers stayed for months. Which was awesome, but some flower spikes never did die, and now the orchids are starting to throw out new spikes as well.

Now, I still thought that it might need a repot because there were pieces of spunge mixed in the media. They get stuck to the roots and discolor them as well, so I figured this might not work until I would get new blooms I could be rotting off the roots at the same time, especially since one seems to be doing well, but it's staying quite wet forever. (I use the bamboo skewers)

One problem is though, the roots were growing a lot in the bottom of the pot, and they are now stuck together in the shape of the bottom of the pot. I tried to kind of squeeze them loose gently but they have grown together. I tried to pry one off but it's clearly damaging the roots if I do that. I don't think I should be fitting that chunk of roots back into the pot, because it doesn't really fit so well anymore, and I don't want to apply that much pressure to get them back in. I could fit the whole plant into the same size pot if I could get the roots to untangle a little.
The one size bigger pot seems a little big to me for it.

Any suggestions?

Orchid Whisperer · #2 10-23-2015, 08:20 AM

Hi jackpot, welcome to Orchidboard.

I have a few questions.

First, is your plant potted in sphagnum moss (stringy, light brown), or is it potted in bark pieces? Second, if it is bark, is it breaking down into something that looks like potting soil? Third, is it in a plastic pot (I assume it is since you can see the roots, but please confirm).

Let's assume it is potted in sphagnum moss in a plastic pot, which is common in shops. Although Phalaenopsis can be grown in moss, it sounds like you have already learned that water is difficult to manage in moss. Bark is easier. It is good that you are using the skewer to check moisture levels!

Repotting when a Phal is spiking, or even blooming, is no problem. I do this all the time. You have already tried flexing the pot to loosen the roots and they are clinging to the plastic. Let's try something different.

Remove as much old medium as you can from the roots. Work it loose with your fingers, use tweezers or other tools as needed. If there is any medium left in the pot, see if you can remove it with a jet of water from a faucet or garden hose. Keep at it to work as much medium out of the pot as you can.

Soak the pot and roots in some water for maybe a half hour. Try squeezing and flexing the roots again. Did they come loose? If yes, clean off any remaining medium loosely held by the roots. Inspect the roots, pull off any roots that are obviously dead. Then you can repot with orchid bark, which should be available at garden shops in your area. There are many repotting videos available on YouTube for the final steps. You can reuse the existing pot if the roots will fit. I grow most of my Phals in terracotta clay pots, due to better drainage, but that is a personal preference.

If the roots won't let go of the pot, you have two choices. If you have many good roots, you can sacrifice (break or cut) a few root pieces that will not let go. The plant will grow with the remaining roots. Use flames sterilized tools if you cut. When the plant is loose from the pot, clean it up and finish repotting.

If you have few good roots, and they will not let go of the pot, you can try poking pieces of new bark into the spaces in the pot where the old medium was removed. This will at least improve the conditions around the roots.

After you repot, I recommend not watering for at least 2 or 3 days. If there is any root damage this will allow time for wounds to heal and scar over and reduce chances of root rot. After that, water when the bark is nearly dry, but not quite dry, as determined with your skewer

Good luck - I hope this helps!

jackpot · #3 10-23-2015, 09:24 AM

Hi Orchidwhisperer, thank you for replying

The orchid was originally potted in a clear plastic pot, in a mixture of bark (which either was broken down a lot or it was a mix of some soil in it) and spunge. It's just the type of spunge that you can use to clean dishes. That's why I figured I needed to repot before I got any buds (You mention it shouldn't be a problem with phals but I am still new to caring for them properly and didn't want to risk it)

I did get the phal out of the pot, I did break about 2 roots because those were growing out of the bottom holes. But the roots are still completely the shape of the bottom of the pot, without the pot. They will not budge!

After trying the squeezing and prying the roots off of each other, I damaged about 2 more roots. The only other thing I could think of is like you said, soak the roots. But I didn't do that because I damaged some roots and all I know is that they should be dry for 2 or 3 days after repotting so they can heal.

Do you think I should soak the roots anyway to see if they come loose a little?

I would like to put it back in the same pot after poking some holes in it, but it won't fit anymore because of the roots that were on the bottom. The only other option if I can't get them loose was maybe a bigger pot, but the roots are shaped in a way that the phal would be way above the new bark plus I think it would be too big, but I'm not sure.

WhiteRabbit · #4 10-23-2015, 09:17 PM

Soaking the roots should be fine. I often do that to help make the roots more pliable. In most cases, repotting will result in some damaged roots - I just do my best to keep them to a minimum

Wynn Dee13 · #5 10-24-2015, 12:51 AM

I wouldn't worry about the healthy roots staying in the shape they grew. They are fine the way they are. If it was me, I would pot it in a slightly larger pot if the roots require it. Remember new bark doesn't hold water like older bark so it will dry out faster. Good luck!

DMT · #6 10-24-2015, 01:59 AM

I soak my bark or coco husk in water first with my fertilizer solution. I use a salad spinner for this so it mix (spins) the nutrients and I lift the basket out to drain the medium.

estación seca · #7 10-24-2015, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMT

I soak my bark or coco husk in water first with my fertilizer solution. I use a salad spinner for this so it mix (spins) the nutrients and I lift the basket out to drain the medium.

Honey, what's this really fibrous stuff in the salad?

DMT · #8 10-25-2015, 01:36 PM

I do use a separate spinner for use by humans!!

bil · #9 10-25-2015, 02:29 PM

Sounds like a lot of trouble.

I just shove the phal in the (much bigger) pot and pack it in with new bark, or a mix if I have some old to hand. Then i water a day or two after. No problems so far.

jackpot · #10 10-26-2015, 07:57 AM

Thanks everyone, The roots did come a little loose from each other, but as you can see I can just set it down in the shape that it's in.
I will be putting it in the bigger pot. Here's some pictures for fun.

And a picture of the roots on the bottom, looking good so far.

Also, something funny, this phal has a little leaf on the flower stem that was there when I bought it

And a whoohoo for it surviving under my care and developing a spike