Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

I received a phal orchid over the summer. After the flowers had fallen off it was growing roots that were extending over the pot, and someone said that I should repot it. I repotted it about a month ago in a larger pot. I also bought a special orchid mix, etc. My only concern is that I wonder if the pot I bought is a little too big, or if the drainage is bad. Whenever I water the orchid, the water seeps straight through and pools in the bottom tray so that I have to throw out the water.
The garden shop person said that the reason it had lost its flowers so early was because I had let it dry out too much before watering. I just want to be sure that I'm not slowly killing the orchid.  
So I guess my questions:
1) should I do something so that the pot retains the water more? should i switch it back to the smaller pot?
2) How dry should the moss be before I re-water it?
3) Is it all right that the roots are extending outside of the top of the pot? I couldn't figure out a way to put the roots inside the pot as they are perpendicular.

Thanks Jim,

ANSWER: Hi Cat,

Repotting the phal was probably a good idea but using too large a pot can lead to more problems than having left it in the old smaller pot.  The reason for this is due to the potting mix within the larger pot tends to remain wet much longer which then can cause the roots to rot.  

Speaking of rotten roots, did you notice if there were any soft mushy roots when you repotted?  If you did, they were rotten and should have been removed.  

So, the answer to question # 1 is probably "yes".  

Question # 2, you mention moss.  Did you use moss when you repotted?  Moss holds water for quite some time, although the exposed top part may look dry the moss within the pot may still be quite wet when you next water and it will look like it is just running straight through.  

Question # 3, exposed roots are okay but it would be a good idea to mist them lightly each morning to help maintain their moisture level.  When you repot, try soaking the roots in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to soften them a little, hopefully enough to get them into the pot.  The better solution is to point them inwards to the pot soon after they appear.  

Phal flowers will last from 2 to 3 months, if yours lasted close to 2 months there was nothing you did that was wrong.  There are many causes for orchid flowers to die prematurely, such as exposure to sudden temperature changes, temperatures below 50F, very low humidity, exposure to fruits close by, still air from being placed in a corner, plus a few others.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Jim,

Actually the moss is only on the top layer.. it has an orchid mixture of bark and charcoal. The moss does get very dry. The orchid blossoms did fade after 2 months or so.
I did notice a few white / mushy roots, which I cut away when I repotted. I think I will transfer it back to the smaller pot then.
I was also wondering if when it is time for the orchid to bloom again, will it grow a new stem? Or grow from the old stem? Is there anything I should look for / markers that will let me know it's going ok?
Thanks a lot!

Cat

Answer
Hi Cat,

Thanks for getting back so quickly.  

Transfering it back to a smaller pot would be a good idea, just keep it in a warm shady place for the next 3 weeks, water it just enough to keep it barely moist - not wet.  

Phals normally initiate their bloom cycle in the fall then the new flower stem slowly grows longer and longer over the next 3 to 4 months.  As the stem grows longer, loosely tie it to a support stake every 6 inches or so, if left alone it will probably grow out sideways rather than upward.  When you do tie it, do it in the warmest time of the day as cold stems tend to be brittle and can snap off.  

This time of the year, many growers will mix 1 teaspoon of epsom salt (yes, you heard right) in a quart of water to water their phals.  Epsom salt is actually Sulphate of Magnesium and magnesium helps to initiate and promote flowering in many orchids.  

Signs to look for in a healthily growing phal are firm leaves that grow outward with very little bending or floppiness.  Leaves are a nice medium to dark green color with good bright glossy surface.  Newer leaves will be lighter in color but become darker with age.  New leaves should grow to be as large or larger than the older leaves.  It is normal to lose one or two bottom leafs during the year but at the same time it should grow from 2 to 3 new leafs in that time.  

If the old stem has yellowed or turned brown, I'd suggest cutting it off by going down to the bottom then back up an inch or two and cut it off.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.