Phalaenopsis with 3 Spikes: Pot Looks Small, Bottom Leaf Yellow—Repot or Wait?

Question:

Just bought Phal with 3 spikes, many blooms, dark leaves. Looks too small for pot, bottom leaf yellow/wilted. Repot or wait until blooming finishes?

Answer:

Hello Melissa,

Leave it alone—enjoy the blooms. Pot may look small but is likely perfect size. Phals have large leaves that deceive. Root system size determines pot size—I bet roots occupy <½ pot space.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, CA