Repotting a Phal from Wal-Mart
 

I have two phal orchids from Wal-Mart. The first one is just over three years old now and I've never repotted (didn't think about it actually, I'm just surprised I managed to keep it alive this long!)

I have found some potting medium online (at repotme.com), I also plan to see what my local walmart offers for repotting orchids, it may or may not be ok!

My second orchid I have had for about two weeks now (the purchase of the second orchid is what prompted me to learn more about them and how to keep them happy & healthy!). I've noticed that it has some bark on top of the pot and what looks like green painted foam under that. It's peaking thru the bark.

I know for sure the oldest orchid needs new potting medium, if not a new pot, but I don't know about the new one. Should I re-pot it just becuase I can see it's in foam? There is bark bits on top of the old orchid as well. It was one of the ice cube orchids, but thankfully I never did that, I just watered every week or so.

I did pull both of them out of their outer pots last nite and dump the water that was in them out, so the outer pots were not holding water. I didn't know I was supposed to do that till I found this fourm! I'll be pulling them out every week from now on and submerging them to water (which seems the easiest way to go). Well submerging them when they seem to need watered.

TIA :)

I always repot my new Phals. It allows me to start anew, and having a good inspection of the roots as I do that.

It is a matter of preference what media you would use. Styrofoam mixed in with bark is used by some for more aeration on the root zone. As long as the media you use is able to hold in some moisture, has good air circulation and dries out, that will be good.

Now for that method of keeping your plants sitting in water for a long while, you are risking later on root rot. I dunk my Phals root zone, just for a few minutes but I let the water drain out, I do not leave them sitting there for a very long period. When you get root rot, the plant suffers, unable to get needed moisture, and will eventually manifest on the leaves going wrinkly, yellowing, dying. So I would suggest you adjust your watering style to help your orchid grow better. :)

Visit the Beginner Forum on OB and read the sticky at the top, "The Phal Abuse Stops Here". Lots of great ideas to help solve your problems. Then absolutely REPOT in a recommended fresh mix!

Now, at least, I don't plan on letting them sit in water, but as I'd never taken the clear plastic pot out of the large decrotive pot, I never knew they were sitting in water. When I pulled them out for the first time there were mushy dead roots, so that's another reason I was thinking repot...so I could clean all of the old dead roots out.

I guess I must not be using the correct terminology...lol...I plan on dunking them to water them from now on, not leaving them in the water. Up till now I've just watered from the top of the plant with a watering can, like any old houseplant.

That's okay..am not using proper terminology either at times :lol: Yes, that is why I pull out a new Phal from its container, root inspection, oftentimes they are too suffocated already from the moss or the media used is just too old already.

Just make sure you use sterilized cutting tools when you do your old root trimming.

Good luck and happy growing!

What is the best way to sterlize? I always wash my scissors after every use, but I wondering if I should wipe them down with alcohol?

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------

tarev, the one I got from walmart is in full bloom right now, on two spikes, tons of blooms...should I go ahead and repot it even tho its blooming?

I pour alcohol on my tools and allow to air dry. Air drying helps kill a lot of bacteria.

Great, thank you!

I used to have qualms repotting my Phal in full bloom..but I have done it, and the Phal did not fret. Just make sure you have pre-soaked your media very well if you will use bark mix, so the roots have immediate moisture to absorb.

I do the same to sterilize my tools with alcohol, or I also put a few drops of bleach with water where I dip my tools.

Great! Thank you! I hope I can find some repotting medium this weekend, otherwise I will have to order online and wait! :)

I know that bark is used, does it matter what kind? I burn wood to heat the house and there is a ton of bark laying around, could I use that? If no, why not? Thank you for all the help everyone!