Repotting Phal when it has an emerging flower stalk?
 

Will repotting a Phal when it has a 5 inch flower stalk cause any problems with the blooms? Is it better to wait until after the bloom?

I always repot any phal I purchase regardless of whether it has a flower spike or not, and I have never had a problem as long as I was careful and didn't break the spike. That being said, why do you think you should repot now? Is it a new phal, or is it having a problem? If that is the case checking the roots and repottiong is probably a good idea. But if it is not a new phal, it is doing well, and you don't suspect possible root problems or deteriorating medium, you could wait until it is finished flowering. Keep in mind that for most phals it takes time for the buds to open, and then they stay in bloom for a long time, so you are talking about months before it is finished flowering.

right, I guess that is why I was asking. I think the medium might be breaking down, but the plant looks healthy as heck. It is an older, established orchid, and to be quite honest, I can't remember the last time I repotted.

New roots everywhere, putting up a stalk, etc. I just don't want to compromise either the plants or the blossoms, but if the blossoms have to go, they have to go!

If it's healthy, putting out new roots and a spike, I would think your medium is OK. I would probably wait to repot.
Joann

I risked repotting one with a similar size spike about a month ago. The spike has continued growing and now has buds forming and the plant is doing well.

It is quite possible for medium to be breaking down when the plant looks really healthy. The one I mention above had new roots growing, new leaves growing and the spike, but when I took it out the pot I found that the medium was terribly compacted and broken down. I was really glad I had not left it.

If you can't remember when you last repotted, it's probably been too long. As long as the plant is as healthy as you say, you should have no problems repotting in new media and keeping the spike. You can pop it out of the pot and take a look...if the media is OK, just put it back in.

Bill

I concur with Bill on this one.

I agree with the others, you should repot if you honestly cannot remember the last repotting you gave your exotic friend. I have repotted many of my phals while both in spike and in bloom and it did not compromise the performance of the plant. Best regards ;)

I agree, if you don't remember when was the last time you repotted, go ahead and repot now. I've repotted spiking and blooming phals before, and never had a problem. In fact, they thanked me with new root growth. The only thing you have to worry about is to not break the spike while repotting!

I went ahead and repotted, the roots looked good, had a few papery ones to cut back, but the media was definitely starting to break down. It was a medium grade fir bark, and it had definitely started to get spongy and soft.

Thanks for the advice guys, I will put pictures up when it blooms!