Rescued Phalaenopsis Care

[wtamuboi]

Okay, so I rescued a Phalaenopsis from the local grocery store. It's down to the last bloom, the pot is cracked and the roots coming over the side are mainly dried out and brittle. It is potted in bark/sphagnum moss mixture.

So... I'd really like to repot it. Since I'm from an exceptionally humid climate (80-90% humidity a day, EASY), I don't like sphagnum moss as part of the mixture. I have a couple phals on my balcony planted in only lava rock and they are doing just fine. I'd also like to trim the influorescence back to a node, so that it can hopefully bloom again. Any thoughts?

I took a couple pictures, but now I can't find my USB cord to save my life. I'll post the images once I do find it,

[wtamuboi]

[RosieC]

I would say go with the repotting. It's always best to use the medium that works best for you. I'm never quite comfortable with my Phals till they are in the medium I know and trust.

I would advise against cutting the influorescence to try and force more blooms. Forced blooms are often smaller, and also the plant may be weakened by the process because it is being forced to spend more energy on blooming.

I would either leave the spike to dry up on it's own when the existing flowers are gone (it may choose to grow a side spike or bloom again rather than drying up, but that is the plants choice rather than it being forced). Or I would cut the spike off completely and let the plant rest before producing a new one.

Take a look at Ray's advise on this subject in the link below.
Spike Cutting

[wtamuboi]

Thanks Rosie! I was concerned that attempting to force the blooms would waste energy I don't think it has right now, just wanted someone to affirm it for me. I'm definitely going to repot it, not only is the medium too good at holding moisture (I live in Houston, it's seriously not that hard to keep humidity up ) but the pot is also very tall with minimal drainage.

Thanks!