Phalaenopsis - Do I leave it along or try and do something!?
 

Hey everyone! Newcomer here and so excited to have found this forum. I have been unsuccessfully trying to grow orchids for years and FINALLY got one to rebloom.

Not only did it rebloom, but made three bonus buds at the end that are now just opening.

However - I have black stuff on the top part of the moss toward the beginning of the roots and one root rotted away from the base (the rest of the root was yellow and hard, but I cut it off with disinfected scissors because it wasn't doing well.

I usually let it dry out completely before rewatering and make sure there is air under the roots and it's never sitting in water (however the moss is pretty tight). I have cedar chips to repot it after all the blooms have fallen, but I want to know what I should do now to help it? What is going on with that black stuff?

I'm trying to upload images but it says a security token is missing... trying to figure it out. Will add later if I can.

Thanks so much for your help!!

Here are the pictures!

You have a healthy phalaenopsis orchid. The moss that it is planted in is beginning to break down, taking the roots inside the pot with it. The visible roots are doing better, especially that nice, new one.

Most phals will take a careful repotting without missing a beat, even when in bloom. I suggest you get rid of the rotting moss, and use your fingers to strip away any soft material on the roots. If there is a wiry core left, don't cut it. It can help stabilize the plant in its new home, and it may have some ability to take up water even without the velamin (outer coating). Put that new root on the surface of your new medium, and that new root will (hopefully) grow right down into your bark chips. You will need to water more frequently with bark than moss.


It looks like the lowest leaf is getting a leathery look. That is a sign of dehydration and age, and that leaf will probably yellow and fall off eventually. The rest of the leaves have good texture though, so your plant should thrive. A kelp fertilizer soak would help the plant to kick into root growth mode in its new home.

What a pretty orchid! You got good advice from Fishmom, I hope you can successfully repot the Phal and continue your blooming success! Feel free to reach out if you have more questions, I've been growing phals for a few years quite successfully.