This is my mom's orchid that she received 3-5 years ago as a gift. It has thrived in our washroom with a patio door facing south. I've never seen a happier orchid! But I'm afraid it's outgrowing its pot and I just don't know if I can find a big enough one... Or if I should repot it. It isn't blooming at the moment - this was about a month ago. Anyway, this is just show off time


... And my photo won't upload. ...

Hi Victoria, and welcome to ATP and the Orchids forum.

It looks like your picture didn't download and that will help us to advise you on what to do with it. Can't wait to see it, and if you possibly might have a picture of it in bloom, that will help with identifying the type of orchid it is, as well.

Victoria, you have a Phaleanopsis orchid there and there is no need to repot. Besides, this type of orchid hates change. It looks very healthy so just keep doing what you're doing.

Jim

I agree with Jim. It is in a BIG pot already. These like to be root bound. The only thing I would worry about is the roots rotting, but you seem to be keeping it happy. I see what looks like potting soil or very fine bark as the medium.

The main thing you want to watch out for:

Don't overwater - you seem to be doing fine. It looks happy and the leaves look very good.
If the leaves start to wither or wilt - check the medium. It may need to be refreshed, because it does break down.

If you decide to repot, check the roots and if any are black trim them away with sterile scissors (use a 10% bleach solution or a flame).
Check for slugs or snails.
Clean your pot (or resize to a different pot - depends on the root size).

Put fresh medium (if you have success with what you are using, don't change). The plant will be happy in the same type of mixture. Change it and the plant will take a setback to get used to it.

Make sure you clip it firmly in the pot using rhizome clips. Here are some links that will help you out in general.

http://www.aos.org/Default.asp...
http://www.aos.org/Default.asp...
http://www.repotme.com/orchid-...

Thanks guys!! It's just in regular potting soil - which really needs to be replaced with fresh soil. So I shouldn't change to an orchid mix?

It's a very easy plant to take care of - never has been very challenging. And it's gorgeous. It's great!

Hi Victoria!
If it were mine, I'd definitely get it out of the soil, and into an orchid bark mix. They are epiphytic, not terrestrial, and need the air flow that a loose bark mix would allow.

Good luck with it, and again to ATP & Orchids!

Okay, I guess my next mission is to change out that soil when I get a chance

But don't do a thing to it until it has finished blooming! It is a gorgeous plant and the pot is plenty big.

You can do it, Victoria!

When I first started growing orchids, I found that YouTube has some very good tutorial videos. Watching some of those really helped with my confidence factor!

I'm telling you, if I had a Phal that looked that good, I would leave it alone. If it starts to decline, then I would take all of these recommended actions. For now, give thanks and be happy.

Jim

Lovely Phal Victoria, agree on the need to repot to orchid mix and not in soil. Good luck on the repot later on, keep us posted

hawkarica said:I'm telling you, if I had a Phal that looked that good, I would leave it alone. If it starts to decline, then I would take all of these recommended actions. For now, give thanks and be happy.

Jim

I'm with Jim. I would only take action if you start to see yellowing or withering leaves. But I would pay close attention to it for sure!

All right, since it seems quite happy, I'll let it stay happy lol. It isn't blooming right now, so I *could*... but who wants more work than is needed?

My only fear for your plant being in potting soil is that the roots are/will be suffering. They don't like soil. They really need the maximum airflow that soil won't allow.

I'm with you here, Tara. I am pretty much proactive rather than reactive.

There is no doubt that epiphytic orchids won't do well in potting soil.....period. Combine that with an over-size pot and I think nothing but trouble is ahead. To my eyes, the Phal. doesn't look all that happy, but keep in mind, I don't grow a lot of Phal. I would immediately repot and if the roots don't fill this large pot, I would downsize as well. Just my humble opinion.

Victoria, has it been in this potting medium and big pot for the whole time your mom has had it? If it has been happy in potting soil for 3 to 5 years I'm with Jim on this. Nothing succeeds like success and you have had a lot of success with that orchid. I am generally a proactive type but sometimes the rules can be broken.

BTW, my son has a phal in potting mix and I know for a fact he over waters but that darn thing never stops blooming. Go figure.