How to re-pot Phalaenopsis: two ways I re-pot my Moth Orchids

[@richardlawton1023]

My first orchid was mid march last year. It was in a box of free stuff on the road side. It had 3 leaves with snow on it. Roots mostly dead. Leaves dark red and shrivled. It now has 7 leaves a large root system and has its first spike. Its growing in lava rock, medium bark and coco husk chunks. I now have 43 orchids. Great video.

[@helloplantlovers]

Wow! That's a fast collection! Good luck with the rescue - I hope it's a fabulous bloom!

[@JonsieQ]

I love your channel! So many have lighting, green houses. I'm like you. Inside or outside and we struggle along! 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

I'm all about the aesthetics!

[@007trudig]

You are quickly becoming my go to orchid man!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you!

[@MummaMia5]

Hello Matthew, I’m from Brisbane. After 3 months of KZbin research and many grey hairs your channel popped up and thank goodness finally someone whom I can trust and listen to. I have a phal I got from the shop and after a long time is needing repotting so I’ll do,you glass vase idea. I have many many in my trees down stair but wanted to keep a couple in the house. Thanks heaps for your video and channel channel. Great to see a KZbinr from Oz. ❣️🙏🌾

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me and good luck with your Phal!

[@deachen5560]

We've all taken the walk of shame for ignoring the 'chids but as you said, these are very forgiving and will boost anyones confidence, esp. beginners. Not to sound like a snob but I only look for the unusual Phals and covet large and mini species. They've been bred to have the loveliest colors, shapes and big lips.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Yes....no more white Phal rescue!

[@donnasouza2300]

I am so blessed to have found your videos. You are a charming personality to hear from. Thank you for sharing your orchid experiences. Because of your pertinent content I am finally able to relax with my orchids and enjoy my journey. Thanks again.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me!

[@ilovebeer74]

Thank you Matthew. Another fantastic and entertaining video. As an Orchid noob, you're my go to guy!!

[@helloplantlovers]

That's very kind - thank you!

[@lienlienchan]

I love the idea of potting orchids in the glass vase, and I have been meaning to potted some phals in it but not daring to try other picky orchids. Thank you for a very enjoyable videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - I wouldn't be game to try anything else potted this way either!

[@patsfreund9164]

OMG. I've never seen such large and healthy phals. Enjoyed watching/listening. Thanks!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you - apart from the very unhealthy one!

[@007trudig]

I bought a Phal with 3 stems....Yes! And 1 of the stems had a perfect 3 inch leaf on it. So I sit that stem leaving 2. Oh, hell. I had a keiki and did not know it. I've been phals crazy for 2 years, have 50 plants, my dream came true and I cut it. I'm an octogenarian, so I probably will never never see another keiki.

[@helloplantlovers]

Well thank you for watching....never say never!

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

I ❤that you stressed that the potting choices work in your environment 😊 I too have a few Phals in pots with moss/ or other media without drainage and they are doing well “in my home environment”. Will not work for everyone, but it does work ❤🌸

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - yes - so depends upon many different elements!

[@nariepittman4632]

I have 23 phals, 17 are spiking and 4 have double spikes. Looking forward to seeing yours bloom too. I purely use small orchiata bark - Hervey Bay here

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh they all sound very happy!

[@Elena-pq4so]

Thank you ❤ I have done same yesterday, Look forward to yours and mine # magic art # from Woolies to bloom soon.

[@helloplantlovers]

Good luck!

[@wandashaw3551]

Matthew, I LOVE that pot and saucer, just beautiful!! Looking forward to seeing the progress of these two beauties.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you!

[@HolidayGlow]

Oh that container!!! Good find! I must say that I do wish some of the growers wouldn't pack the spag moss sooooooo tightly especially around plugs. I always find that the roots present much as yours did - fine on the outside and aerial roots but the inner roots suffer from how poorly it breathes.

[@helloplantlovers]

yes - I should have re-potted it a year ago!!

[@teresejohnson6767]

I adore your new antique container! So elegant and a perfect vessel for the Phalaenopses.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you!

[@YCJBD]

What a relief to find a Melbourne based channel on orchids! I’ve been struggling with orchids since repotting my phals, and will try this next time. Is it okay when the moss turns green?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me - I think you can see in mine that the moss is green - its alive and well! However you don't want it to be slimy and too wet - a delicate balance.

[@katiagassarino8823]

Hi Matthew, very good video! I would ad that all phalaenopsis don’t drink the same amount of water… the two ways of potting you show are perfect, according to the climate (more sphagnum for warmer temperatures) and humidity, and the plant itself.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@newmanmansell760]

I enjoyed watching😊🙏Your phals are healthy😌🌟I grow about 6 of them. I have the same watering regime as yourself. I wipe the leaves with a damp papertowel and use a cosmetic brush to get the dust out of the crown too😉

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - brushing the crowns clean is REAL commitment!!

[@sylviabeichert943]

Very much appreciate your explanation re orchid habitat, feeding, how to water orchids and dangers to avoid.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindyapps4252]

Thanks

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you VERY much!

[@ramonm.mendez2421]

Love your videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching them!

[@tuulavirtanen2920]

It's very difficult to grow Phals in sphagnum mos for me in Qld . You are clever to grow them like that .

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes - bark would be better for you? Or mounted?

[@ranchrachel]

Your videos are utterly delightful and so very helpful, thank you so for the content! Would you be amenable to doing a video of your non orchid houseplants? I routinely see things that I'm curios about! Thank you again!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! To be honest probably not - this channel has morphed into pure orchid territory!

[@ranchrachel]

@@helloplantlovers That makes total sense, thank you!

[@josejkoonthanam]

Very healthyoth orchids.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@marycamilleri447]

I have had phals for years and lost many especially mini phals,tried potting standard phals in glass containers and they died on me too,obviously I was doing something wrong! But the few I have left after having being abroad for about two months and watering them really well before I left orchids are in bark only,once I returned the phals had healthy roots and new flower spikes! Which makes think that they don't really want to be super moist!? I could be wrong, but I don't live in Australia but Somerset.

[@helloplantlovers]

I agree that they don't like to be overly moist - and I go away and leave mine without watering - they are tougher than many think! In glass vases the trick is not too much moisture. Thanks for watching!

[@suecollis9388]

Hi Matthew, Today I found your video, and I was so impressed that you were in Oz. I found other videos or write ups difficult trying to convert to the southern hemisphere and what phals like for us. Your use of the moss solely was great to see, but I like the idea of bark and moss. My question is- what is the brand of medium bark, and is it Australian? The bark I bought is fine to medium, and i feel it it is not right. Can you help, please? I live in Western Australia. Thank you for your videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! A lot of growers will recommend Orchiata bark which you can get from a variety on line sellers, or better still local orchid groups often buy it in bulk at wholesale to distribute to members. Good luck!

[@lindyapps4252]

Love your channel, thank you for all the tips for an orchid lover who is quickly getting obsessed with growing them. One question; can peat moss be a sub for sphagnum moss? 🌸

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi there - not for orchids. Peat moss has very questionable environmental impact issues; there are many alternatives that do the job just as well for regular potting. Good luck with the obsession!

[@YCJBD]

Could you share tips for how to avoid mould on spagnum moss?

[@helloplantlovers]

Not really as I don't have any! I would just suggest plenty of light and air movement. Good luck!

[@PaulDeRossiAustralia]

“The world will not end”, great news😂

[@helloplantlovers]

Indeed! Thanks for watching!

[@PaulDeRossiAustralia]

@@helloplantlovers Love your work sir. I haven't had any luck with Spag moss. maybe I over water or it's too warm/too much light, I don't know. I'm using Ferntree fibre substrate now, and it seems amazing.

[@helloplantlovers]

@@PaulDeRossiAustralia It’s all about what works in our particular climate!

[@suecollis9388]

Hi Matthew, HELP, please. How do I get rid of spider mite on my Phals. Love your vlogs.

[@helloplantlovers]

Same as getting it off anything really! Use an insecticide spray, and they dislike humidity - which your Phal will love!

[@mrpat3170]

New subscriber. I've always been taught to firmly pack the potting medium around any orchid I'm repotting. Is that not the case!? Thanks.

[@helloplantlovers]

Most epiphytic orchids will want great air movement around their roots hence baskets, holey pots, mounts etc to help that, as does a loose, free draining medium. Some terrestrial orchids you can treat like a regular perennial plants with their potting. But I guess 'firm' is subjective and I'd do whatever works for you and plants!

[@suecollis9388]

Hello again, Matthew, i have been watching this video again, and i noticed your wonderful bark. I live in Western Australia and find the bark we get from Bunnings has too much soil in the bag. I would love to be able to buy the bark you used. Can you help, please?

[@helloplantlovers]

Ebay is the best bet - tons of sellers.

[@suecollis9388]

@@helloplantlovers thank you for your help.

[@JonsieQ]

In Durban South Africa we only get Phals in bark. Would moss not rot the roots?

[@helloplantlovers]

Obviously not as mine are still happy! There is never one way to pot anything - depends upon your local conditions and personal preference to a large degree.

[@JoRainey]

Hi Matthew I am going to repot a couple of my phalaenopsis in glass vessels and spagnum as per your wonderful video. Do you have any thoughts on size of glass container in relation to orchid size? Thanks

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! I'd say the size of the vessel should be commensurate to the size of the root mass; as small a vessel as the roots will comfortable fit in. Good luck!

[@sylviabeichert943]

Am wondering if adding perlite to the Spagnum moss for the glass planter would help to avoid compaction & if Luca - clay balls-pebbles are worth trying?

[@helloplantlovers]

Sure - go for it!

[@suecollis9388]

Hi Matthew, My phals look great. However, the top leaves are beautiful, but the bottom ones are wrinkled. Do you have any suggestions as to what could be the problem. They are inside with grow lights.😢

[@helloplantlovers]

Depends....they could just be aging and ready to drop....or they could be dehydrated.

[@suecollis9388]

@@helloplantlovers thank you for the reply. They have green roots so i am baffled as to what is the cause. Thanks again.

[@lisaallen7219]

I have mini phalaenopsis in bark growing. They are growing leaves a roots I live in New Hampshire. Big phalaenopsis I have trouble with. I have tried spagmoss, bark. Right now I have one growing in Bettergro special mix and I have a new one in bark perlite and charcoal. What do you think for my area New Hampshire.

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi there - thanks for watching! I couldn't say what would work in your climate - the only way is by experimenting - as you're doing - or find a local orchid club or group and see how others in your area grow them. Good luck!

[@wildflowers477]

Funny how your phal was trying to escape it's medium.

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes! Shocking I hadn't noticed too!!

[@vickyfalzon9307]

❤

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@barbaramurray5708]

I personally dont like the plugs I find on some of my plants. I would like to know what are your thoughts on them

[@helloplantlovers]

I've rarely found one - but I always remove them when I re-pot.

[@sharonpaterson1281]

Hi there this video has come out at a perfect time for me I have a phal it’s now grown 2 very healthy roots that have burst out of its clear pot I believe there roots anyway there green and the ends are purple it’s In flower at the moment so Should I wait till the flowers have dropped off or repot now thank you 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

A good rule of thumb is always to wait until an orchid has finished flowering before you re-pot. Phalaenopsis can grow throughout the year so whenever the flowers drop, off you go!

[@pudik2008]

Love that antique pot,it’s stunning! Very helpful information… 🪴 Natalie ( SA)