My first Repotting job, tell em what you guys think! - Orchid Board

thebluecatapilla · #1 03-05-2017, 03:08 PM

Hey everyone!

Just finished repotting my Phalenopsis I have had for 3+ years with out repotting. I only started to get into orchid cultivation recently, but she has survived my abuse surprisingly! She has grown considerably, but no reblooms unfortunately. With any luck, this will change after my repotting job.

I chose to go with the RePotMe Value mix, made from perlite and coconut bark. I am very pleased with their high quality products, and this is no exception. But then again it is the "value" pack so I will definitely upgrade to one of their Imperial mixes next time.

Here are the pictures:

Phalenopsis Repotting - Album on Imgur

I did my best to position the roots as they were before, but some air roots had to go under since unfortunately many roots were rotted underneath (as to be expected with a plant that hasn't been repotted in 3+ years!)

Tell me what you guys think!

estación seca · #2 03-05-2017, 03:17 PM

It looks good! Congratulations!

You don't need to cut off the air roots and you don't need to bury them. They do fine out in the air as they grew. You can soak roots for an hour or two to get them more pliable so you can fit them into the pot, if you want to do that.

That medium will stay wet longer than some other media. You can certainly be successful using it, but take care not to overwater the plant. Definitely use the wooden skewer to find out how moist the inside is before watering again.

jkofferdahl · #3 03-05-2017, 04:30 PM

It looks like you did a really good job. Congratulations. In addition to what ES said about the aereal roots, which Phals love to sprout, I'd suggest that you let it dry utterly completely before the net watering, and be sparing with all watering until the plant begins to sprout new roots.

thebluecatapilla · #4 03-05-2017, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

It looks good! Congratulations!

You don't need to cut off the air roots and you don't need to bury them. They do fine out in the air as they grew. You can soak roots for an hour or two to get them more pliable so you can fit them into the pot, if you want to do that.

That medium will stay wet longer than some other media. You can certainly be successful using it, but take care not to overwater the plant. Definitely use the wooden skewer to find out how moist the inside is before watering again.

Thank you so much! The reason I buried the air-roots was because the plant couldn't balance itself otherwise. I had no idea how the plant was balanced before, but once I took out the dead roots it was quite top heavy. I tried keeping them out in the air but it wasn't working so I had to stick them a littleee bit under the medium. They are still partially exposed, and I didn't pack the coconut husks too thickly so hopefully they will be happy.

I will make sure to watch my watering and will try the skewer method. My main problem has in fact been under watering, since my dorm room gets really hot with very little air moisture. But I will definitely make sure the medium dries between waterings, apart from little daily spritzes of course!

---------- Post added at 03:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

It looks like you did a really good job. Congratulations. In addition to what ES said about the aereal roots, which Phals love to sprout, I'd suggest that you let it dry utterly completely before the net watering, and be sparing with all watering until the plant begins to sprout new roots.

Thank you so much

I appreciate the positive feedback and advice. I will definitely watch my waterings and hopefully my pal will sprout more air roots because I love those. As mentioned in my reply to ES i believe currently they will have to remain partially buried, though i have excavated them slightly.

Definitely good to note about keeping water sparse till more roots develop. However, the plant is currently a little bit witty and droopy with slightly leathery leaves. Would reducing water risk worsening the condition of the leaves, until new roots develop? What would suggest?

rbarata · #5 03-05-2017, 06:17 PM

Good job!
As a side note, reblooming has a small probability to be affected by repoting. It's more related with temp and light cycle. As far as I know they need a temp drop at night to rebloom.

jkofferdahl · #6 03-05-2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebluecatapilla

Would reducing water risk worsening the condition of the leaves, until new roots develop? What would suggest?

Good point - you don't want the leaves to get wrinkles or to droop too much. Phals can recover from that but a lot of monopodial orchids won't. Can you mist the exposed roots? That will help. Still, keep it watered enough that the leaves don't droop further, and recognize that it can take a while for them to rebuild the lost hydration.

thebluecatapilla · #7 03-05-2017, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarata

Good job!
As a side note, reblooming has a small probability to be affected by repoting. It's more related with temp and light cycle. As far as I know they need a temp drop at night to rebloom.

Ah yes I agree as well. I meant hopefully they will rebloom in the upcoming year of receiving better care. As Spring is almost upon us, I think it may be too late for a rebloom this year.

---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Good point - you don't want the leaves to get wrinkles or to droop too much. Phals can recover from that but a lot of monopodial orchids won't. Can you mist the exposed roots? That will help. Still, keep it watered enough that the leaves don't droop further, and recognize that it can take a while for them to rebuild the lost hydration.

Yes I have been misting them daily in the mornings and occasionally at night. They have already been improving significantly and hopefully they will fully recover after they get used to the new medium