David E. Ross wrote:
zxcvbob wrote:
Repot it in what is sometimes called a bulb pan or fern pot. This is a
clay flowerpot that is somewhat squat (more shallow) than the usual pot.
After the last flower dies, remove the plant from its current pot.
Gently shake the roots to remove the old potting mix (which is the bark
of a tree fern); you can pick away the fern bark unless it is really
stuck to a root. Repot in bark chips with the base of the plant just
slightly below the chips. Set the pot on a large saucer that has pea
gravel or similar pebbles.

Is that shallower than an azalea pot?
I'm not familiar with azalea pots. My Phalaenopsis are in pots 6.5
inches high and 8 inches in diameter at the top.
That sounds just like an azalea pot.

And what is the base of the plant? This doesn't have a rosette of basal
leaves, it has a vertical rhizome with leaves alternating up about an inch
or two apart. Do I plant it up to the bottom leaf?
When you repot, the base of the bottom-most leaf should be at least 0.5
inch above the top of the bark chips.

By the way, Phalaenopsis only needs to be repotted about once every 3-4
years -- AFTER the first repotting. I always repot any house plant I
either buy or receive as a gift (if in flower, as soon as it finishes
blooming). I find the original pots are usually too small or otherwise
not appropriate. I prefer clay pots because they allow evaporation
through their sides, keeping the roots cool in the summer when I allow
the house to get to 80F.

Then this one is already planted at the right depth, but it's in *way* too
small of a pot. It's in a 3" plastic pot, and it keeps tipping over
because it's top heavy. I'll find a nice shallow 6" pot for it, and some
chopped bark or gravel.

Bob

You need bark, not gravel.

Before potting, thoroughly wet the bark. Then, when you water the
orchid, the bark will absorb some of the water. This both makes
moisture available to the roots and also releases humidity. When you
feed, the water that the bark absorbs will contain nutrients that the
roots can then slowly retrieve with the moisture.

Gravel only gets wet on its surface. If you use gravel, you will have
to water daily. Since that will rinse away nutrients, you will have to
feed 2-3 times a week.


But do use gravel in the saucer under the pot. This is to lift the pot
above the water in the saucer. Then the bark in the pot won't act as a
wick to draw excess moisture from the saucer.

--

David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/

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