I could sure save money using my potting media rather than my Phal. media.

Maybe as Melissa pointed out, we are just setting back our Phals by madly re-potting them when they are happily growing in moss? Mine are mostly recovering now, but I haven't had a lot of bloom for the last couple of years, I'll admit. But was it the setback from being in the moss? Or from the re-potting into bark mix? I'm guessing the key might be to leave them alone and let them do their thing, no matter what the medium.

I feel an experiment coming on . . . gonna have to 'rescue' a couple of Phals from Lowe's, re-pot one and leave the other in the moss and see which one does better, long term.

If the plant has survived 3 years in potting soil, it has adapted itself nicely, right? Looks like it has some roots above the medium for air and everything.

I don't think moss is the problem, Elaine, and with your experience, it certainly should not be. Don't forget I deal with several hundred people a year. I would guess 20% have experience growing orchids, the other 80%............well, you can guess. Each and every one of those 80% have grown houseplants, for better or for worse, and when they see the potting soil the least bit dry, water, baby, water. Orchid media pretty much always looks dry, even sphagnum moss, so guess what they want to do? Using moss, where over-watering is a problem, is a killer. At least that's my experience and opinion. My opinions are worth what you pay for them.

I would think that anyone who successfully grows epiphytic orchids in potting soil (and I think we can all agree that this is just not the thing to do), has to have an open potting mix AND carefully controls watering. Shoot, if I don't open up my potting mix with lots of orchid media elements, I can't even get terrestrial orchids to do well. Ask me how I know!

Do what you want but what you have here is a notoriously picky Phal that has adapted to a certain growing condition. This genera does not like to be moved, let alone repotted. I have seen Phals doing nicely in moss in a clear plastic pot. I've also seen Phals do nicely mounted. I have killed Phals that were growing in bark in a nice orchid pot and never figured out why. Knowing their reputation, just leave it alone. As the canine folks would say, let sleeping dogs lie.

Jim

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The repotting stress is why I now follow Russ from New Vision's advice for Catts. Watch for the roots. Each plant is different. There is no set rule for "all orchids or all Phals or all Catts." As Martin Motes suggests, "you must look at each plant every day to make sure it is growing the right way." He means check for pests, check for disease, check for water, and check for fertilizing.

With Phals, there are telltale signs when there is a problem. Usually it is the bottom leaf turning yellow. It is like the warning signal. Or if the leaves droop limply and don't hold erect and firm. Phals when healthy should have firm strong leaves that have the texture of an unpeeled fresh zucchini squash. Some are glossy leafed (bellina types) and some are duller, but all are strong.

If the leaves are droopy like wet cabbage or limp lettuce, 9 times out of 10 you will find a problem with the roots.

Oh, confusion

The roots seemed okay last time I looked, but now I need to look again... A good part of why it does so well is because of its location. It is in a full patio sliding door on the south side of the house. I think the orchid thinks it lives in Florida, even in the winter

I don't know how often we water it... that's up to my mom. She repotted it probably 3-4+ years ago. It hasn't had a lick of trouble that I remember. It's ridiculously hardy. I dunno!

So, has the jury reached a verdict? Leave it alone? Repot it? ....

I know Paul, John, George and Ringo would say "Let It Be" and who are we to argue with them?

Jim

Vik, as far as I can tell the vote is 4 to 3 in favor of leaving it alone.

But do keep a close eye on it for droopy leaves or other problems.

Well, I LOVE John, Paul, George, and Ringo...BUT!!! I'm one that would say, as I told my niece, these don't do well in dirt...

But then again, if it's working for you, then....Who am I to argue! Go for whatever is working for you...And if you start experiencing difficulties, then it may be time to look at other options?

For gosh sakes, they are foreigners, Jim. I will bet you 10 to 1, they have never grown a single plant in their collective lives.

I just noticed your location. I would bet money that it likes the dirt because of the extra humidity it provides. The relative humidity there is nothing like Memphis so your Phal is taking advantage of the extra moisture.

I would be willing to bet that your dirt has a good bit of perlite and is pretty loose because it is not humid there.

I would leave it alone and just monitor it. Remember, everyone's conditions differ. It is hot and humid here so we would probably never grow them in dirt.

But if it works in your conditions, no need to stress the plant by changing.

Well, George and John are dead but George did retire to a lovely lush estate in Hana on Maui. Probably grew acres of orchids . . . Maui . ..

dyzzypyxxy said:Well, George and John are dead but George did retire to a lovely lush estate in Hana on Maui. Probably grew acres of orchids . . . Maui . ..

George had a gardener.

I brought back my first three plumeria from Maui, 25+ years ago. I still have those three plumeria.

Lol.. Oh boy. I guess I'm going to wait until the orchid seems stressed. I have 50/50 votes here, so I'll go with the easiest one

I'm with Jim and that 50%...leave it alone! It looks happy and healthy and it's been that way for years....don't fix it if it ain't broke! Just my opinion!

I clicked on this thread after seeing the "HUGE" orchid title....only to find a little phal!

I saw this the other day....now this IS a HUGE orchid (and a very interesting re-potting experience!) I will never complain again about ANY re-potting I have to do!

http://www.bbg.org/news/repott...

The only thing similar that I am familiar with is having to remount/divide a 100 lb. staghorn fern. The process was about the same. Block and tackle had to be used.

Hm, it is something to think about when growing specimen sized orchids, though. I think I'll probably have strong, willing grandchildren big enough to help me by the time any of mine are too big to lift.

WOw, the real reason I don't have any large orchids like that Tiger is because, these days, it is so hard to get staff like that to re-pot them for me.

My staff (my wife) won't do any re-potting either.

Whew! Now THAT is a huge orchid, and a massive endeavor! What a beautiful specimen! Seven hours of work. Whew! Makes me tired just thinking about it!