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Feb 16, 2016 11:53 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
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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.

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