Heh, Daisy, I think you're giving that grower more credit than they deserve. Although you're right that the mix is actually very fine bark. The small pot you see in that first photo was stuffed into a larger pot with no drainage and filled with more of that same fine bark soil. Then that was stuffed into the decorative pot and the whole thing buried in moss. The roots you see were not visible under all that cover.

Sadly, most of those orchids are sold as disposable. They're a better deal than cut flowers since the blooms last usually a couple of months, but the stores don't want you to make that plant survive and bloom again. Probably somebody in marketing at the store did the "pot - in - pot - in fancy pot deal" as a Valentines promo.

When an orchid like that gets into the hands of a plant person like you, well at least you can give it a fighting chance. Lots of help and advice available, of course.

That is a very lovely Phal woofie! Personally, I always repot my Phal orchids when I first get them, whether in bloom or not. I made the mistake before of waiting, and I think my Phal suffered collar rot, so after blooming nicely for 6 months, I lost the plant. So from then on, I always repot, and the plant actually responds well. I may lose a bud or two as it adjusts to its new media, but I would rather have that, than continue suffocating the roots. In any case, the plant will always adjust to our micro climates at home, so losing a bud or two is bound to happen. I also like to inspect the actual condition of the roots. Phals roots are rather thick, so it did made me understand that those thick roots would rather be on the drier side.

Some orchid vendors are using promix, which maybe good for terrestrial orchids, but not for the epiphytes like Phals. I find my Phals like more chunky media, so there is more airflow at the root zone.

My other suggestion for you, if you intend to keep your Phal in the media it is in, make sure it dries out and run your ceiling fan, to help the plant get overall good air circulation. After that plant blooms, you can cut off the flower spike. Some would keep it if still green, sometimes it can make a secondary spike. If the flower spike browns, you can totally cut it off, this will give the plant the chance to redirect its energy to grow new roots and leaves. It will rest a bit. Usually new flower spike comes again around late Fall to winter, when it starts to feel a cool temp drop.

Well Rodney, I have tried going to your website but my computer says you don't exist.

Woofie, you are right, that doesn't sound like the best way to treat an orchid. I was hoping...

I give orchid potting seminars sponsored by our orchid club (OSNN). Most common statements/questions: "I'm taking really good care of it. I give it only three ice cubes a week" (and I say: next time you get thirsty, try soaking your feet in a bucket of ice water) and "do they need sphagnum moss on top?" (answer obvious).

Daisy

Who is "Rodney", Daisy?

The website folks are having trouble with their entire site. Sometimes my website loads and sometimes it won't. The techs say they are working to fix the problem.

Hey, Ken, I think you need to update your link in your signature line. I got the same "not found" message, too. (And Daisy was referring to this Rodney)

drdawg said:
@Daisyl, you left someone off your list. I feel like Rodney Dangerfield.

Thank you guys so much for all the great advice and information!

On closer inspection of the small pot the plant is actually in, I can see what appears to be a fairly dense collection of roots and as best I can tell, the medium isn't as soggy as all the surrounding stuff I pulled it out of led me to believe. The pot has side slits and the bottom also has multiple slits for good drainage. I was thinking I'd just leave it alone for a while to let it acclimate to the spot it's in now, which is a room with south facing, but sheltered French doors that let in lots of light, but stays between 65 to 75 degrees. I've read that they prefer to be somewhat root bound, but how much is too much?

Nothing I can do, @Woofie. As I stated, the entire site is having problems and I am waiting on tech support to straighten it up.

There is no such thing as over-crowding a Phalaenopsis. They are epiphytes, so not normally in bark, sphagnum moss,.. Repot when the medium is breaking down or when the plant starts to fail. But keep an eye on the roots (that's why clear plastic pots are great). The roots will fail long before you see anything on the top.

Daisy

@daisyl - howdy from another Reno-ite!!!

WooHoo!