Question
Hello Jim.

I am concerned about my Phalaenopsis  orchid. It is a healthy plant and I have so far taken care of it well. And it has faithfully flowered every year for the last 3 years. When I took out the plant from the pot for repotting厖I found a lot of roots?.a big clump. All entangled together. There were no signs of any rots or disease or bugs. All the roots appeared healthy.  Seeing the size of the clump of roots I have repotted the plant in a larger pot. My concern is I think I have repotted the plant in a slightly large pot (with a lot of drainage holes). The plant has 7 large leaves and 1 new baby leaf.

Will the size of the pot in any way effect the growth of the plant?  The repotting was done 2 weeks back and the plant appears to be the same.

Thanks

geeta


Answer
Hello Geeta,

Yes, pot size does make a difference, especially if it is too large for the orchid.  But, from your description of the roots on your phalaenopsis, going to the next size larger pot should be okay.  The problem with too large a pot is that the potting media will tend to remain wet longer and eventually cause root rot.  So, if you only went up one pot size (4 inch to 5 inch, etc.), everything should be fine.  

By the way, with 7 mature leaves plus one baby leaf, you're doing a GREAT job in caring for it!!!!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.