Help! Need repotting & fertilizing please :)
 

Hi,

I bought this Phal 2 days ago and the roots are busting out over the top of the pot, so it seems like it needs to be repotted. I have a slightly larger pot (clay) and purchased Phal mix from Lowe's (endorsed by the AOS) to put it in. Are there any special tips or tricks to repotting it? Also, how do I fertilize it? I have "normal" Schultz Orchid Food Plant Food (19-31-17) and just picked up Orchid Bloom Booster by Better-Gro (11-35-15) also endorsed by the AOS. Below are the pictures of the new Phal just in case it helps. I need tips on repotting & fertlizing it (when to fertilize, how often, concentration, etc). Thank you in advance for the help!!!! :)

-Lis

Check your fertilizers to see if they're urea free.

Concentrations depend on the orchids you're growing. Since you're talking about Phals, 1/2 the recommended dosage weekly is fine.

The N-P-K ratio is fine. I don't think bloom buster formulas are necessary.

Is that planted directly in the red glass pot?

I have several red glass pots that look just like that BUT all my chids are in an inner clear plastic pot which slides inside the red glass.

If the pot is really like mine then it has no holes in the bottom and that would be really bad for keeping the Phal alive. It's REALLY difficult to get the watering right if there are no holes in the bottom of the pot.

Anyway, best to repot. When you do this remove all the existing medium (wash it off to lossen it) and then cut away any rotten/hollow roots. If the root is firm it is good and can be left. There are a few YouTube clips of how to repot arround but I'm not sure the links now. It may be a good idea to search this forum and even search YouTube directly.

THANK YOU King & RosieC for all the help!!!! :)

No holes in the bottom of the new Phal's tiny red pot, so my only question is this: is it ok to repot an orchid that is flowering? Can I plant it now, or wait until it's done blooming?

-Lis

Some people find they can repot Phals in bloom with no problems, others have found the flowers have dropped... BUT I would advise repotting anyway as you risk loosing the plant if you leave it in a pot with no holes in the bottom. Try and save the plant first and then you should be able to get more flowers later.

Perfect, thanks RosieC!!! I am repotting it now! :)
-Lis

Just a quick update: my new Phal LOVES that it got re-potted even while it was flowering. When I gently took it out of it's container I saw the poor roots were too wet and it was on the verge of being moldy! I was worried about it because some of the leaves looked limp, but they are perking up already! :) Thanks for all the advice everyone - you rock!!!
-Lis

Great news. That's why it can be worth repotting even in flower... if you catch it before the roots actually rot it's going to be much healthier for you in the long run :Tup: