Yellow Stem on Phal

[Charlene]

You guys are amazing and sooooo patient. You'd think a brand like Miracle Grow would be fine. I'm confused about using the same pot. Orchids aren't like other flowers where you use a larger pot when the plant gets root bound?

[RosieC]

You want to use a pot size which can JUST fit all the roots.

When you repot orchids it is not always because they are rootbound (in fact many like to be that way), it is more often because the medium is broken down and needs replacing. Because of that sometimes it can go in to a smaller pot (if it has lost a lot of roots due to rot in the old medium) or stay in the same size, or go up.

If it is really root bound and you can't get the roots back in the same pot then going up a size is advised.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Charlene

You guys are amazing and sooooo patient. You'd think a brand like Miracle Grow would be fine. I'm confused about using the same pot. Orchids aren't like other flowers where you use a larger pot when the plant gets root bound?

miracle grow would me "ok" IF you picked out the soil part, and the real small peices

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by help

miracle grow would me "ok" IF you picked out the soil part, and the real small peices

I'm not actually sure which way round you meant this, but it could be read as keep the really small part or it could be read as discard the really small pieces.

To clarify, I would say is that with something like that you need to just keep the bigger chunks and discard the soil like part.

[camille1585]

To add to what Rosie said about pots, the reason orchids need to be a bit tight in their pots is so that the medium will dry out more quickly. Orchids are mostly epiphytic (grow on trees in the wild) so they need lots of air around their roots. That's why we use coarse mixtures like bark, without soil or extremely water retentive material.

If you put your phal in too big a pot there are not enough roots to suck up all the moisture contained in the medium after you water. Medium that stays wet too long with poor air flow will end up suffocating the roots. Usually keeping phals somewhat potbound will help achieve the right balance of moisture and air circulation in the pot.

So if you can easily fit the roots back in the same pot, keep that one. Otherwise if it needs a bigger pot, going up just one size is more than enough. If there are not that many roots, you may need to go down a size.

When you repot, the easiest way to do it is to stick the plant in the pot, pour medium in a handful at a time and tap the pot on the table to get the medium to settle nicely between the roots. If you see any dead roots (mushy or hollow) cut those off before repotting.

[orchid-flowers]

I am not sure if I may suggest a link to my article. I posted an article few days ago, about when and where to cut a Phalaenopsis spike, on my site. I think it will help you Charlene.

[Charlene]

Hi Guys

It's me again
As suggested, I've repotted my orchid in Hoffman's Special Orchid Mix. So, we'll see what happens. I have some soaked mix left over and was wondering if I could add the left over soaked mix to the top of my other orchids without actually taking them out of the pot since they are still flowering and the potting mix looks as sad as the pictures of the other one I sent you.

Thanks again

[camille1585]

Adding new mix to the surface of the other pots is not going to do anything other than hide the old medium. If you think they can wait until they're done blooming to be repotted, then wait. But if you aren't sure how bad the medium is, or are afraid of losing roots on them while waiting, go ahead and repot them now. Usually repotting phals in bloom doesn't affect them at all, the only risk is snapping off blooms or the entire spike in the process. That can usually be avoided if you're careful!

[Charlene]

Once again, I thank you for your patience and wisdom.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Charlene

Once again, I thank you for your patience and wisdom.

That's what OB is for, and part of the reason why we think of ourselves as the friendliest online orchid community there is. That's what I loved about OB when I joined, and that's why I'm still here!