I repotted my phalaenopsis orchid in orchid compost and I'm now worried about root rot. - help!

[IloveDisney89]

Hi all,

So today I decided to repot and orchid as the roots were outgrowing the pot and pushing the orchid upwards. It was previously in bark chips.

I found an orchid compost mix that said it was made with bark chips and organic matter ..however, when I repotted the media feels look like soil with bark chips. I repotted anyway as i had already started the process.

However, after watching one of orchid nature videos I’m worried that going from bark to orchid compost may mean root rot as it's a change of media and the roots may suffocate.

Also I’m not sure if I have put too much orchid compost in as I can’t see any roots in the plastic pots where as with bark seeing the roots was how i know when to water.

Help and advice needed

Thank you,
Xx

Phalaenopsis orchids need to have the roots exposed to light, which is why they are sold in clear pots. If you have covered the roots up then it won't be happy. Other orchids prefer the type of soil you have used, which is why it is sold as orchid compost. I'd switch back to just orchid bark as phalaenopsis don't extract nutrients from the soil with their roots, they are used to collect water and to photosynthesise (which is why they are green).

Agree with the above. I have repotted mine a couple of times now, but always used bark chips (only) for these orchids - and they flower every year for me - so I must be doing something right!

Thank you.

I changed the media from orchid compost to bark. However the bark chips are smaller than what the orchid is used to. As I had given the roots a bath before putting it in the compost and them washed off the compost when putting it in the bark ..I didn't soak the bark before hand and just put it in dry as I didn't want to risk over watering.

I've only been doing this since August and so I haven't yet seen my orchids re-bloom. I'm hoping I don't kill them ha.

I'm also struggling with temperature right now....in the day my house is between 15 and 18 degrees and at night when I have the hearing on 22 to 23 degrees. ...does anyone else have an environment like this ?

Thanks
T x

I don't think that should be a problem temperature-wise. My flat is cooler than that most of the time - indeed for a period before I put the heat on my orchids probably put up with 10-14C for a couple of weeks (and seem to produce flower spikes shortly after that cold spell).

The main thing that they need to flower again is food. I apply a proprietary liquid orchid food in the water every second time I water the plants (so probably every four to six weeks).

I keep mine in an East facing bathroom- They have diffuse light and humidity, but they seem happy and never seem to stop flowering. I’ve just learned something- I didn’t know about the bark

macshoto - how often do you water your orchids ?
I didn't know about the orchid food. I water every 7-10 days depending on the roots.

I may move one to my bathroom and see how they works ..I have 5 so can risk it lol.

NewView - I choose bark because my Orchid was already it in so the roots have grown to adapt to that media. I was gifted a orchid that looks like it's in moss and bark. When it's time to repot I'll try and recreate that environment for them

About every two to three weeks in winter and slightly more frequently in summer when the general humidity tends to be lower.

When watering I stick the whole clear pot in a bowl of water (or water plus food) for a couple of hours until the roots have swelled bright green and full of water and then remove and ignore for another couple of weeks.

That's what I do.
Every Friday I then check the roots and they are usually silver by this point...except one that needs watering every 3 to 4 days as it dries out very very quickly.
Are yours in bark?

Bark or moss, both are ok as long as they have not decomposed and become too fine: then they astert retaining water way too much like earth would and they suffocate. As long as you have cool temperatures it may take a while for them to bloom again, be patient.

Bark or moss, both are ok as long as they have not decomposed and become too fine: then they astert retaining water way too much like earth would and they suffocate. As long as you have cool temperatures it may take a while for them to bloom again, be patient.