Hello....waving from England :0)

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Welcome to Orchid Board from a fellow Brit

I would repot if it's been in flower that long. It can sometimes cause the flowering to abort but not always. In your case though it might just give the plant a rest and it will start a new spike if this one does abort as a result of the repotting.

Try and avoid breaking roots, but if it happens then it happens. I always end up breaking some especially if they are sticking out the bottom like you describe. Don't worry too much and just break as few as you can.

Usually you should pot up into a pot that you can just fit the roots into. From your description you might need to go up a pot size or two.

I've not had much luck with bark mixes from the garden center or from places like B&Q or the like. I still think the almost killing of my first phals was down to medium I got from my garden center and it was already breaking down and rotting.

I know of a couple of places you can buy online in the UK from orchid specialists, let me know if you want details. However postage is high for heavy items like bark. Personally I would go to the online specialists anyway but I have a lot of orchids so buy in bulk. The other thing you can do is arrange to pick up the medium at a show if the seller is one that visits shows, or just take a look around at a show, there is usually someone selling medium in my experience.

Hi Rosie C,

Thanks for your advice. You're not that far from me - I'm in east anglia
Yes, i'm thinking I am going to have to take the plunge and re-pot my favourite phal. I've had it 2 yrs and no joke it hasn't stopped flowering. Its has large white flowers with purple spots in random patterns. Got one spike at the mo with 11 flowers. It has 5 leaves and a new leaf growing
I got it in Tesco for £5.00!!! and its as happy as larry but sooooo pot bound. Have been putting it off due to the fact is hasn't stopped flowering. I bought the orchid when my cat died as a reminder of him so I want it to last.
When i can post photo's i will do of said orchid in it's current pot state.

Lisa x

[RosieC]

You should be able to post photos now... you have five posts

[l1sav]

Hmmmmm......having a few problems. it just wont let me. It keeps saying its denied.

Do i need to use the insert image link and use IMG link to my photobucket page??

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Hooray!! its worked

[RosieC]

I think the IMG link in Photobucket can just be cut and pasted into your message.

The 'insert image' option adds the IMG tags to a link, but I think they are already there on the Photobucket option... so just cut and past the IMG link from Photobucket.

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I think the IMG link in Photobucket can just be cut and pasted into your message.

The 'insert image' option adds the IMG tags to a link, but I think they are already there on the Photobucket option... so just cut and past the IMG link from Photobucket.

Thanks RosieC - its worked......

[RosieC]

That's a good lot or roots. Yeah I would repot.

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by RosieC

That's a good lot or roots. Yeah I would repot.

Wish me luck with this one......im off from work next week am going to attempt to repot........

[RosieC]

Good luck

[l1sav]

Originally Posted by RosieC

That's a good lot or roots. Yeah I would repot.

Today I performed surgery on my lovely phal that was mega pot bound.

I had to enlist my partners help to help me break the pot open. He did a grand job with his pliers very gently breaking the pot open whilst i held the spike & flowers..... 20 mins later we freed the roots from the pot without hardly breaking any roots. It then took a further 20 mins to tease open the roots.

OMG I've never seen so many roots. I have no idea how on earth they were all packed in there so tightly.

There were very few rotten roots. I washed them gently. It is now re-potted in fresh bark and in a much more suitable sized pot and back on my window sill.

Am hoping the flowers don't drop.....

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[paph-neo nut]

Welcome! There are lots of friendly people here and helpful advice.