Re-potting a Phalaenopsis in Sphag Moss
By meanie
22 comments
I was recently given a rather miserable looking Phalaenopsis. To be honest, it didn’t really need a re-pot after I’d flushed the pot and medium, but I’ve done it anyway as I needed a subject for this blog.
If there is any sign of a flower spike, delay the re-pot, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Firstly, prepare the new pot. Drill a series of 5 or 6mm holes around the sides (watch your fingers) to improve air circulation and drainage. Wash the pot in hot water.
I use a wood drill………
I put the sphag moss and perlite in a bowl to soak.
Carefully remove the old medium. This can be a fiddly job. Washing the roots off under lukewarm running water as you go along helps. With a pair of clean and sharp scissors, trim of any dead or rotten roots.
Now the b@ll aching bit – refill the root ball with the sphag moss and perlite mix. Use a bamboo skewer to poke it right in there. All the time you need to hold the orchid and work with care, being careful not to break any part of the orchid and the roots.
Place some moss in the bottom of the pot…….
……….and carefully lower the packed rootball into the pot, using the skewer where needed. Gently pack more of the moss mix down the sides working carefully until the orchid is stable in the pot.
What you are trying to achieve is to get enough in to make it reasonably tight and stable, but not so tight that there is no room for root growth or some air circulation.
This is what you will end up with…………
Leave it to drain for an hour or so before placing back in its original spot. It should not need any more water now for at least a week.
8 Dec, 2011
11 likes
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Comments
Thanks Meanie...
8 Dec, 2011
That seems simple enough. Thanks
8 Dec, 2011
You're welcome!
It is simple, just fiddly.
NOTE - I've edited it to include a paragraph about not re-potting one with a flower spike.
8 Dec, 2011
Noted.
8 Dec, 2011
that is a very useful and easy to understand blog ~ thanks meanie!!
on my favourites and if i was still in school i would give this blog a smiley face and a gold star!!!
8 Dec, 2011
Thanks Sticki!
If your roots are like this, just flush it through for the time being. You see what I mean about the air holes.........
8 Dec, 2011
yes, hadnt realised you meant through the side too. been poking the holes with a knife ~ pot is not very strong!!!
the sphagnum moss looks just like that, do i need to let it dry out before i start the washing through??
8 Dec, 2011
I'd do it now, then once a week for say four weeks.........
8 Dec, 2011
ok, thank you.
8 Dec, 2011
Thanks for this I have one that is in dire need of a re-pot, blog on my favourites now.
8 Dec, 2011
I'll do one using bark chippings soon too DD,
9 Dec, 2011
Not really Homebird - it's perfectly normal! As long as the a number of roots find the compost it's ok.
I repot when the compost gets a little grotty.
9 Dec, 2011
The last time I did mine I used some of that stuff you buy for repotting that looks like wood chips I'm wondering if thats why they haven't bloomed for such a long time your way looks much better ,Thanks Meanie I will save this and do it your way next time ...
9 Dec, 2011
If it's in the larger pots, I re-do them with the bark chippings - it can get very dear with sphag moss. I do put a layer of sphag and perlite in the bottom of the pot though.
9 Dec, 2011
just done exactly as instructed ~ to the letter, feel very pleased with myself ~ thanks again meanie!!!
9 Dec, 2011
Another great blog, Meanie! Very clear & to the point, this will be going in my favourites, too.
11 Dec, 2011
You're welcome Balcony!
12 Dec, 2011
Thanks for the repotting info - I have never tried repacking the rootball - perhaps that is why I have had limited success in the past Iam definitely going to give that one a try - I have one on my window sill that needs repotting - Marigold
14 Feb, 2012
I lost a few too at first Marigold - it's vital to make sure all the tools are sterile and be careful when handling the roots.
14 Feb, 2012
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Very precise Meanie, brill blog and thanks.
8 Dec, 2011