Time to repot?

[Phyrex]

I've repotted all the phal species I recently bought because I didn't like the medium and the fungus that came with them. I have some other plants that have been in their pot for about a year and the medium is starting to smell a little like compost. The medium that I can see from the bottom of the pot through the holes is really black-ish and looks quite decomposed to me. Each of the plants have sufficient space still in the pot but I'm worried the medium might do something bad. Can I repot these guys or should I just let them sit in the decomposing medium, it only has been a year? One is a compot with 6 plants which I think I can move to a 2 x 3 compot but I'm a little scared of dealing with such fragile little things. What's the best way to get through this?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I would just unpot one and check out the roots and medium. If there are problems (and after only a year - there probably are not if your orchids are not showing signs of distress. If they are, the medium might not have been very fresh to begin with ) then repot all. If you don't see a problem, you have time. The seedlings (if still fragile) can be left longer if you don't see problems. Just remember as they grow, their roots will mingle making the a bit harder to separate - but not impossible. Good luck, Richard.

Cheers,
BD

[sadie]

Yep--check the roots. They'll tell you if they need it. Good luck and keep us posted.

[JoeW]

Post picture please if possible Richard. (I would like to see what's going on for learning purposes) Thanks !! Joe

[Phyrex]

The Sc. Tokyo Magic hadn't been repotted since July 20, 2007 and the P. Ho Chi Minh since October 2007 and both were starting to smell a little when I smelled the bottom of the pot. I still didn't repot the compot since they are a little more fragile than these guys that's why I asked this question.

Joe, I think it's pretty obvious that the plants didn't really need repotting in terms of their size and the way they were looking, however, since I'm growing in my apartment I notice the smell more than if I was in a detached greenhouse. These are the only pictures I took during the repotting and they are not the best pictures either since it's hard not to get the camera too wet...

[JoeW]

Thanks, Richard. I need to repot several too because I am having water every 3 to 4 days instead of 7 to 10. The plants have grown to where they really are drying the fir bark mix out that quickly. Also, the media has gotten crumbly/dusty. There is some whiteness as well (probably too much fertilizer and not enough flushing). I was wondering what yours looked like. Again, thanks for helping. Joe

[ischel1]

Actually your roots were beginning to encircle themselves as in pic 2. It's best that you did repot.