Phalaenopsis - When/how to pot after coming back from the brink of death

[docfri]

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share that thanks to this board, I have somehow managed to bring my orchids back from the brink of death due to my own beginner mistakes/lack of knowledge. Now I am at a point that I could use some assistance with how to determine when/how to pot these guys. The larger orchid pictured was a beautiful orchid that bloomed multiple times for me and was given to me about two years ago. The smaller orchid was given to me for mother's day 2016 - never bloomed for me again after I got it, but seemed to be doing ok otherwise.

Well, I tried re-potting them (I don't think they actually should have even been re-potted now that I know more...) and things went south very quickly. Somehow, through reading LOTS of posts, I have managed to bring them back through multiple surgeries and some TLC. Now, I'm not sure where go from here! Both have a new baby leaf that is growing!

Current questions:
1. Should I start trying to pot the larger orchid with the baby roots? Should I wait? What do I do with the smaller orchid that still has just 1 root (and I don't see signs of other new roots)? The leaves are very wrinkled - am I not soaking them enough/getting enough water? The small orchid has a dying leaf

2. What do I re-pot them in? I have some actual orchid pots (that was the first place I went wrong before...) and some Miracle Grow bark-based Phal orchid mix. Should I do the sphagnum instead?

The first 3 pictures are the large orchid, the last 2 are the smaller orchid. Their current state as of today.

Thanks in advance!!

-Kate

[Orchid Whisperer]

Hi Kate

You could go a couple ways.

You can try repotting now. Use a bark medium, no larger than a 4-inch diameter pot. My preference is a terracotta pot, others really like plastic. It is important that the plant not wiggle around in the pot and potentially damage the new roots you have grown. I would wait a couple days before watering just in case the roots get bruised, this reduces the chance of rot developing.

It sounds like you have gotten this far by soaking the roots to develop some root growth. If the plants were mine, I would continue doing that until the roots are 2 or 3 inches long, then repotting in the 4-inch pot with bark. Same instructions as above. The longer roots reduce the likelihood that the plant will wiggle in the pot.

Don't worry about the wrinkly leaves too much. They are giving up their water so that new leaves and roots can develop. You could try soaking longer than you have been to provide more water to the growing leaves and roots, this could reduce the amount of water pulled from the old leaves, but the wrinkly leaves will likely stay that way. Those old leaves will yellow and drop on their own when the plant no longer needs them.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Have a look through a thread if you haven't... From the left yellow menu click on Forums then Beginners. Look near the top for the sticky thread The Phal abuse ends here.

[docfri]

Thank you for the advice!! They've come this far, I don't want to screw them up now! I will check out that thread, too!

[cluelessmidwesterner]

As a newbie myself, I'd say stick with soaking for a bit longer. It seems to be working in your environment.

I am suggesting this because trying to keep the root zone warmer in potting media during this cold time of the year in the Hawkeye state is difficult without a using a seedling mat - as I have discovered for myself.

[aliceinwl]

I’d also recommend you keep doing what you’re doing and let the roots get a little longer. For my rescue Phals with poor root systems, I tie them to a bamboo skewer when I pot them to keep them stable.

If possible, I’d recommend going with something other than the Miracle Grow mix. Unless you plan to do a lot of sifting, there are just too many fines for Phals (my opinion). I was gifted a couple of bags and am incorporating them in my terrestrial mixes.

Not everyone likes them, but I’ve been very happy with the mixes and pots I’ve purchased from rePotme Orchid Supplies Personally, I’d get a couple of their clear slotted plastic pots and the smallest bag of one of their Phal mixes (moss or bark based depending on your preference) and have those on hand once your plants are ready.

Good job bringing them back!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Another source for orchid bark and pots is your local Lowe's, where they sell the Better Gro brand bark, and s variety of plastic or terracotta pots. The Better Gro bark is good quality, $5 for an 8-quart bag.