finding the right phalaenopsis orchid pot size

[uffe3667]

A question on pot size:
I know Phalaenopsis likes to be potted tightly, however when is the time to move up a pot size?
I just repotted a plant with a lot of healthy roots (thats a turn from all the "rotten roots threads" )
It originally was in a 12 cm (5") pot but there was no way i could get it back.
there was just no bark getting in between the roots!
I have now potted in a 15 cm (6") pot.
I now this will mean more attention with watering.
Would cutting some roots have been better than repotting in the 6" pot?
old pot:

roots:

new pot

[orcoholic]

Erik,

That's a really healthy looking root system. I've found the best time to repot phals is after they finish blooming. For the most part, that means in the spring. Even if they don't bloom, that's the best time.

[Cjcorner]

Nice roots! Your phals must really love your care.

[Halloamey]

Yours was absolutely the right decision. The Phal is going to love you. Actually the pot size for your plants is determined by the media you choose, for eg. I transferred a healthy Phal from 4 inch pot to directly a 12 inch pot, but the media was Leca and the system semi hydro. The Phal simply loved it, and now within just one year it is a giant which produced 32 flowers on a very long spike which lasted for 3 + months. Let me see if I can find a picture.

[Dail]

Erik, those roots would have been too pretty to cut off. (These are not generally the roots which are photographed and posted). Great work.

Hey Amey, please find the picture.

[Halloamey]

Hey Dail, here is the picture of one of the Noid phals which had 20+ flowers, for the other one with 32 flowers, I will have to send my friend in Bremen a mail, as she still has the plant there with flowers.

[careosell]

Hi,
I haven't been aroundfor a while as I found your site a little too late to save my last orchid. It was I believe the third to bite the dust with no sucesses.
I was just about convinced I should give up when I found this one for $ 5.00.
It has a bunch of very healthy looking roots despite the fact that it was sitting in water. I put it in a pot with drainage, over a tray of water(not in it). The roots are pretty crowded. The surface bark is drying. Can you tell me what kind of orchid it is and the best way to care for it? I would be thrilled to get one to live. Thanks, Kathy

[cindiras]

Hi Kathy! You have a phalaenopsis orchid. If I knew how, I would link the care instructions, but I am not that computer saavy. So, 1. Was the bark soaked overnight befor repotting? 2. Did the roots look firm and white or green in spite of being in water?

When you water, soak the plant, pot and all, in a pan of water as deep as the top of the pot, then drain well befor returning the plant to it's saucer. Set the phal in an east window that has a sheer curtain between the plant and window, or off to the side where the light is bright but does not shine directly on the phal. To increase the humidity directly around your plant, set it over a saucer full of rocks, pebbles, marbles, glass decorative pieces, etc. Just something that will hold it above the level of water in the saucer. Renew the water in the saucer whenever it runs low. Make sure the bottom of your phal's pot sits above the water. To tell when your phal needs to be watered again, stick a bamboo skewer or a wooden popsicle stick down in the center of the pot. To check for moisture, pull it out and hold it against your cheek. If it feels wet, wait. If it feels slightly cool and a bit damp, wait. When it feels slighly cool against your cheek, but isn't obviously damp, soak! I use three month slow release fertilizer at a rate of 1/4th teaspoon per pot, so I don't need to calculate how much fertilizer to measure into my soaking water.

[careosell]

Thank you very much. I have it located in just about the right spot as far as light goes. The roots are firm- some green some kinda white but lots of them and all firm. I repotted it in bark above water. Do you ever mist? We heat with a woodstove and have ceiling fans going most of the time so the air can get a bit dry. Do you use special fertilizer or just all purpose? Thank you again I am getting brave and bought another one today that was on sale. I'll have to get pictures posted because they are different kinds of phalenopsis and I'd like to know what they are.


I just noticed you're from Iowa. I have a brother and family in W. DesMoines.
thanks again,
Kathy

[cindiras]

Sounds like it is doing good! Extra humidity (pot of water on the woodstove) would probably help with the dry winter air. I don't often mist my orchids. With Phals, if you get water down between the leaves and it doesn't dry out, you could suffer crown rot. Usually a water tray under the pot of the plant will increase humidity directly around the orchid.
I am about 1 hour north and slightly east of Des Moines. I will be going to the north west corner of DesMoines on Sunday afternoon for a budgie club meeting.