Two Mini Phalaenopsis...How should I repot???

[Irielicious]

I bought two new mini phalaenopsis, Doritaenopsis Lianher Cranberry "Bravo" and "P. Chia E. Berry". I have never been able to keep a mini alive after repotting , So I really want to get some advise as to the best method to keep them alive!!! I usually repot into a large bark mix but their roots just seem to dry up since they like to be more moist than their larger brothers and sisters...

I had to buy these two new mini phals as the rescue I got from the grocery store did not make it!!! She only had three half dead roots and crown rot...she never had a chance. These stores don't care about these poor little plants me makes me so angry!!!

[fishmom]

If you don't want to adjust your watering timing to meet the needs of the freshly-potted plants, try adding a bit of chopped up sphagnum moss to the mix, or use a light layer of moss around the base of the plant.

Soaking fresh bark mix in warm water will help it take up moisture more quickly, too. Are you using plastic pots? They hold more moisture longer than clay.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by fishmom

If you don't want to adjust your watering timing to meet the needs of the freshly-potted plants, try adding a bit of chopped up sphagnum moss to the mix, or use a light layer of moss around the base of the plant.

Soaking fresh bark mix in warm water will help it take up moisture more quickly, too. Are you using plastic pots? They hold more moisture longer than clay.

Hi Fishmom thank you for answering me! I haven't chosen a pot yet it will most likely be a clear plastic pot as the floppy plastic container they came in won't support their weight without the decorative pot that they sit in. Have you had any luck changing the media in a mini orchid from moss to bark???

[fishmom]

I don't use any all-sphag medium, so anything I get goes into a bark mix. I have used sphag as I mentioned to you, when I have a plant that isn't doing well. I have only one real mini, it is growing in a clear plastic drinking cup, and like you said, it does seem to like a bit of extra moisture. It is presently growing a root directly down into a top layer of moss.

Changing the medium shouldn't be a problem as long as you monitor the moisture. A bamboo barbecue skewer is great for this.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by fishmom

I don't use any all-sphag medium, so anything I get goes into a bark mix. I have used sphag as I mentioned to you, when I have a plant that isn't doing well. I have only one real mini, it is growing in a clear plastic drinking cup, and like you said, it does seem to like a bit of extra moisture. It is presently growing a root directly down into a top layer of moss.

Changing the medium shouldn't be a problem as long as you monitor the moisture. A bamboo barbecue skewer is great for this.

Maybe I should try a little sphagnum moss in my bark mix, maybe that will help them survive the change over. Although, to be fair any mini I've been given/bought were already in poor condition so, maybe you're right and it's less to do with media change and more to do with the poor state they were in to begin with...thank you again for your information and help!!!

[estación seca]

Are you in a wet or dry part of Texas? Here in Phoenix, I find Phals do extremely well in semihydroponic culture.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I have 4 of these little mini's. When I get them home in bloom I cut slits in the flimsy pots there in and then put them back in the decorative pots until they are done blooming. The roots will start to grow out of the slits and I look at that as a good thing. Then I cut the pot off and I put them into 3 inch round pots with slits that I buy from Kellys Korner. You can get them from any orchid supply place.

I use seedling mix which does have spagh in it. But you will still have to water more when first re-potted. I have moved one of them into a larger pot as the roots were allover the place. I did use the same mix but the next one I move up I'm going to use a mix with a bit larger bark in it as I don't think it is drying fast enough.

[bil]

When I repot these I repot them in a finer mix than the normal phals.

There is a useful trick that I do when I think a plant needs that bit extra moisture. I don't add sphagnum to the bark per se.

What I do is to use a shallow pot, put a layer of fine bark on the bottom. I then put three balls of sphagnum equidistant around the edge of the pot, and plant the orchid in the centre, in pure bark.

That means roots can reach the water reserves, but the bulk of the pot is free draining and open to the air.

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Are you in a wet or dry part of Texas? Here in Phoenix, I find Phals do extremely well in semihydroponic culture.

I live in North Texas we aren't really humid per se we stay at about 35%. I'm not too familiar with semihydroponic culture but the few videos I've watch they have these little balls that look like the ones we use in biochemistry that have tiny holes. It seems like you fill the container up with water up to a certain point. Other than that I don't understand much else lol. I will have to watch some videos. Right now I have them in bare root method until I see them start putting out new roots. Thanks for your response!!!

---------- Post added at 06:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

I have 4 of these little mini's. When I get them home in bloom I cut slits in the flimsy pots there in and then put them back in the decorative pots until they are done blooming. The roots will start to grow out of the slits and I look at that as a good thing. Then I cut the pot off and I put them into 3 inch round pots with slits that I buy from Kellys Korner. You can get them from any orchid supply place.

I use seedling mix which does have spagh in it. But you will still have to water more when first re-potted. I have moved one of them into a larger pot as the roots were allover the place. I did use the same mix but the next one I move up I'm going to use a mix with a bit larger bark in it as I don't think it is drying fast enough.

Interesting method I guess I should try it!!! I always worry if I don't immediately repot that I will end up with a dead plant because of past issues. I tend to have a knee-jerk reaction to repot to see what I'm working with root wise and the mini's I have had seem to hate bark!!!

I really should try your method to see how it goes next time...I want my mini's to live!!! I bought 5 normal sized ones and it still couldn't fill the void of the little mini that was dying...I felt like I need to prove it could keep one alive in its memory lol.

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

Originally Posted by bil

When I repot these I repot them in a finer mix than the normal phals.

There is a useful trick that I do when I think a plant needs that bit extra moisture. I don't add sphagnum to the bark per se.

What I do is to use a shallow pot, put a layer of fine bark on the bottom. I then put three balls of sphagnum equidistant around the edge of the pot, and plant the orchid in the centre, in pure bark.

That means roots can reach the water reserves, but the bulk of the pot is free draining and open to the air.

Hmmm that's different than anything I've ever heard...I guess I should give the sphagnum moss a shot as everyone seems to think this will help keep the mini's happy!! Thanks Bil!!!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Well that's why I cut slits in the pot when I get home. It gives the roots more air and the spagh dries much faster. I let it get dry before I water again and I have not lost one yet. Of the mini's that is, as I sure have lost my share of orchids. They are all doing quiet well with this method. The one that had so many roots I had to up the pot I still used the seedling mix but thankfully I put peanuts in the middle. This winter it was staying wet to long still so I am not going to use the seedling mix when I re-pot the next one that needs it now. My home is just to cool in the winter for this. I may try a heat mat next winter for some of them. It is now doing very well with the warmer summer months.