Newbie from Southern CA

[Aija]

Hi everyone!

My name is Aija and I had no experience till last year when I killed 3 of my phals due to root rot. I didn't know that you have to repot them immediately. Now I repotted by new babies first I get them home. Love this Orchid board I have learned a lot . I have some pretty phals and miltoniopsis blooming with healthy roots and leaves. Hope they will be doing fine in the future.

just a quick question. My mini phal is not very stable in the clear plastic pot. It has a lot of aerial roots. How to fix it?

Thank you all in advance!

[OCRC_Dir_China]

Welcome to the Orchid Board from the OCRC in China.

Could you post a photo of thr mini?

[Rinzo]

whats the potting medium? If i were you, re-pot it in equal parts sphagnum and small fir bark. Use plastic pots for phals cause clay pots are annoying when the roots grow all over it. It helps to drill four holes in the sides of the plastic pots cause phals like air, hence the aerial roots. Go to amazon.com and buy a bag of maxi crop sea weed extract and use that once a week. Good luck

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Is the unstable one a plant you've repotted. If not try repotting, if so take it out and try adjusting it in the pot, if there are lots of arial roots try getting some (possibly not all though) into the pot to help stabilise it.

I've found sometimes just taking it out and trying again fixes it even if you don't think you've done anything different. If that doesn't work then try using a stake in the pot, you can cut it off low so it supports the leaves rather than a spike.

It is good to have them stable, they are happier that way, though sometimes I've had unstable ones which I've not needed to move (in the greenhouse I can water in place) and without being disturbed all the time they've got new roots going which have secured them so that when I've come to move them in for the winter I've found them nice and secure.

[Aija]

Hi everyone!

Thank you guys for your advice!
Thanks Rinzo, I will by see weed extract.
Thanks Rosie, I will repot it.

Here is my little girl not looking so good today...:-( Wilted leaves and flowers...:-(

I repotted my phal a week ago in Miracle Gro orchid bark, but I had purchased and waiting for arrival of Fir Bark Classic Orchid Mix from rePotme.com. So I will repot it again.
Any other suggestions?