suggestions on repotting this phal

[OhioBob]

This phal has grown so large that it almost tips the pot over. It is my original orchid and was last repotted 3 years ago. After repotting, it started growing fast. Many times it would have 2 or 3 leaves growing at the same time and it has only lost 1 or two leaves this whole time. This winter it also started growing a basal keiki. The keiki has 3 visible roots now so it has grown large enough to remove. In years past I have always just repotted it in the same pot but I don't think that will work this time around. Any suggestions? Also, what can/should I do with all the aerial roots?

[bil]

Originally Posted by OhioBob

This phal has grown so large that it almost tips the pot over. It is my original orchid and was last repotted 3 years ago. After repotting, it started growing fast. Many times it would have 2 or 3 leaves growing at the same time and it has only lost 1 or two leaves this whole time. This winter it also started growing a basal keiki. The keiki has 3 visible roots now so it has grown large enough to remove. In years past I have always just repotted it in the same pot but I don't think that will work this time around. Any suggestions? Also, what can/should I do with all the aerial roots?

I would repot it in coarse bark in a much bigger shallow pot. Leave the ariels out, they won't like being potted.

I suspect that a lot of ariels is suggestive that the plant is reaching out looking for more medium.

PS, put the base of the plant as close as poss to the side of the pot

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would repot in a terracotta pot larger than the one you have, and large enough to accommodate all the aerial roots.

At the base of the plant there will likely be a dead stem with some old dead roots attached. The dead parts are likely snap off with gentle finger pressure (just a normal part of Phal growth and maintenance).

In a big pot, in the lower half of the pot, you should use a lot of inorganic material that does not hold water (50 to 100% of the lower medium). Styrofoam chunks or packing peanuts are a good choice. The upper 50% of the pot can be coarse bark or whatever medium you prefer.

I have personally not experienced problems with Phalaenopsis aerial roots not adapting to life down in a pot.

My preference is to repot with dry medium and wait a few days after potting before watering again. If the roots were bruised during re-potting, the wait allows time to heal and helps deter root rot.

[bil]

I just use coarse (ie sieved 2" chunks) - no fines. It's physically impossible to overwater then.
I don't like terracotta, they are heavy and I am getting old, plus there is a danger of salt buildup.

[No-Pro-mwa]

If using packing peanuts make sure they are not the ones that are made from corn starch or what ever they are made of.

[OhioBob]

Thanks for the responses. For media, I have been using a mix of bark and lava rock. So far it works for has been good with the orchids I have. I like the idea of using the wide shallow pot. What I forgot to add to my opener was I was hoping to repot in an upright position. I know it isn't the natural way the plant grows and it will eventually lean over but I think it looks nicer.
I guess for now I will be on the look out for a shallow pot, or one I can make shallow.

[Roberta]

I am increasingly using bulb pans - much higher ratio of width to height than standard pots. Plants have room to spread without a lot of "dead space" in the middle. Google "bulb pan" to find sources on the 'net.

[bil]

Originally Posted by OhioBob

Thanks for the responses. For media, I have been using a mix of bark and lava rock. So far it works for has been good with the orchids I have. I like the idea of using the wide shallow pot. What I forgot to add to my opener was I was hoping to repot in an upright position. I know it isn't the natural way the plant grows and it will eventually lean over but I think it looks nicer.
I guess for now I will be on the look out for a shallow pot, or one I can make shallow.

I cut down cylindrical pots and weld them together. I simply can't buy anything shallow enough for the average orchid, but for phals and big paphs etc bulb pans are ok.

[Roberta]

Another trick to deal with the "dead space" issue in the middle of the pot - a small pot (solid or net pot) upside down in the middle, so that there is an "air pocket" in a space that otherwise would be full of soggy, unproductive media.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Another trick to deal with the "dead space" issue in the middle of the pot - a small pot (solid or net pot) upside down in the middle, so that there is an "air pocket" in a space that otherwise would be full of soggy, unproductive media.

Like I say, if you use coarse bark, that doesn't happen. If you use moss, best of luck. The risks of suffocating the roots is just so much higher.