Phal Repotting Problems

[RosieC]

A long explanaition here I'm afraid, I don't know what it is, but I just can't work out what I'm doing wrong when repotting Phals.

I've read everything I can, watched the demos someone posted a few weeks back, my plants seem to sicken and in the worst case, of one I did this time last year, almost die (it's only just starting to grow new roots now after loosing almost all of them). The one I did a few weeks ago also looks like it's roots are now dying as well.

Does anyone have any advise based on my experience with my latest one today. I want to know if anyone can spot anything I'm doing fundamentally wrong.

This phal had arround 14 leaves, right back to tiny leaves which could have been it's seedling leaves still left on as they were joing right back at the very base with no stem below. I pulled off those smallest two leaves as in the past I've had problem keeping the smallest ones like that above the medium.

It has masses of roots with lots of actively growing root tips all over (must be at least 20 new roots tips coming from the sides of other roots as well as long roots just growing from their main tip).

I was planning to repot arround a month ago but did not get a chance and it has started two spikes and a new leaf. I decided to go ahead anyway and I'm glad I did in one way... the bark was really compacted and solid and more like soil in most places. The center of the root mass was completely solid with no air gaps at all.

Anyway I softened the roots in water and eased them out the pot, it was difficult as the roots were really tight. There were 4 root tips sticking out the bottom and only one got broken, the others pulled out through the holes easily (eventually).

I then had to try and remove the old medium. It was very difficult as the root mass would not easily pull apart and I did not want to break them. I slowly and carefully poked out the old bark which was really broken down. Some roots got snapped although I did not cut them off because the thread in the middle still held them together and I've had ones like that before which still seem to have worked as roots.



I then rinced the root mass to remove the last of the 'soil'. The roots were in very good condition (before I got my hands on them). There was very little which was not green/white and firm. A couple of bits near the bottom were hollow, and some arial bits which look like they used to go down into the bark, which have been dried up and dead for months. But all in all they were very solid and green and nothing much to remove. (This photo taken before any were removed at all).

I mixed some Listerine in the sink with luke warm water and gave the roots a dunk. I did not have a spray bottle so I thought this might at least get some Listerine all over (this is the first time I've done this step). I then rinced the roots twice with plain luke warm water.

I tried not to disturb the shape of the root mass too much as I feared breaking too many roots. Because roots seem to die on me after repotting, I want to damage as little as possible.

Somewhere along-the-line I broke a leaf at it's base, about 1/3 of the way up the Phal. It only broke at one side, right where it wraps arround the center, and it broke at a point that looks like it was dried up after being wrapped arround an emerging root. I decided not to worry and left the leaf to see what it does.



Anyway, I then fitted it back into it's pot (just) but then I couldn't get any of the bark/CHC/perlite mix down amongst the lowest roots.

This is where I got stuck, I could get the roots in the pot with no medium, or I could get medium in the pot with no roots.

I got it in by putting a tiny bit of the finner mix in the bottom, then trying to shake it and manipulate the plant in. I then poked bits of medium in as best I could amongst the roots. I get dropping the medium on the floor and I got really frustrated.

I broke some roots in the process and that really worries me Those breaks have not had listerine and I don't think it's a good idea to soak in that now as surely the bark and CHC will store it and I won't be able to wash it all out.

The other thing that worries me is that there are big voids amongst the roots. Is that a problem.

It's in... although sittnig a little high, and with these voids. And the test about holding it by the leaves and seeing if the pot stays on... well the pot stayed on before there was even any medium.



So fundamentally am I doing anything wrong. Can anyone advise why I keep getting sick Phals after repotting.