Step by Step Tutorial: How to Repot a Phalaenopsis

[@katherinegrider4201]

I just recently bought myself 2 phalaenopsis orchids, and they looked rather healthy for grocery store orchids, but I usually repot them as soon as I get them so I can see what condition the roots are in and remove the "Brownie" form the center. As is common, they did have some root rot, and I cut them off with sterilized shears. Now when it comes to cleaning the cut, this time I used normal alcohol that usually everyone has. I took an unused/sterile Q-tip, dipped it into water and then the alcohol or vice versa, and cleaned the cut with it. I think I did use hydrogen peroxide once (upon a time), but this time I used pain old alcohol (aka not the drinking kind and not denatured). I don't know if that is worse or better, but I am a concerned orchid parent that doesn't want to kill the brand-new orchids. P.S. I have had orchids for around five years. I had nine Phalaenopsis, all different colors and 1 blue vanda. Unfortunately, I had to leave them all behind when I moved, and I haven't had one for a little while. Well, I very recently found some large phalaenopsis on clearance at my local grocery store, and I decided to get them and that I wanted to do a better job at taking care of them this time around. For the most part I knew what to do, but I wanted a refresher course on orchids, as well as more information on how to properly care for them besides the very bad, unhelpful and vague instructions "Use an ice cube". So, I started googling tips and tricks and I found your videos here on KZbin. I have to say, they have been very helpful and engaging to watch and I really appreciate what you have to say in each of your videos. It was like finding the mythical pot of gold! Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication!

[@XyzeqPalentira]

Really excellent and friendly repot lesson video. Best I’ve seen for some time. Thanks Amanda, awesome!

[@Orchideria]

Hi Mike, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[@gracedawes1040]

Beautiful rendition! I did a repotting today for the very first time. According to what you did, I did a good job except for using the charcoal, didn’t know about that; next time I will do so. Awesome job madam!

[@melissagarber3619]

SHALOM!I JUST GOT AN ORCHID. I'VE HAD ONE BEFORE,BUT IT DIED ON ME. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT. I HAVE STARTED WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS. I'VE JUST REPLANTED MINE. I PRAY IT WILL BE OKAY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEOS. WOW!YOU REALLY ARE EDUCATED IN THIS. 🙏💝🫂

[@MaureenUhler]

6:46 EDT. I liked the point you made about keeping the medium away from the orchid in the pot. I was packing it up to now. I also didn't know about the charcoal. Very helpful video😊

[@praxediscortina4260]

Repotting orchids is my favorite thing to do. Thank you for your video!

[@Orchideria]

Hi Praxedis, Thank you for watching! I appreciate it. 😊

[@marlenebornman1841]

I really needed this today. I discovered a leave had fallen off my phal and the pot looked very dark the moss was also very wet on top and it was suppose to be watering day today .....so i took the plant out of the pot and discovered that it needed to be repotted my roots ended up looking exactly the way yours did just those ?thin stringy strands i had no potting medium on hand so used clay chips. So now i am praying that it survives 🙏🙏

[@nadaharripersad7886]

I like the way you show the repotting which is good please show other orchids I like your

[@Orchideria]

Hi Nada, I have on my list to do a Cattleya repotting next. ;) I'm glad the video helped. Thanks for watching

[@eikoqdupree101]

Thank You. I Love your affection black kitty. I have 8 and my Marco like to keep me company when I garden. She a treasure ❤️💋❤️

[@Orchideria]

Hi Eiko, that's awesome!!

[@rhondadunn4228]

I just purchased your book and it is so helpful!! Thank you!!❤

[@z9622-x8h]

Thanks !!!👍👍👍👍👍⚘️⚘️⚘️

[@JohnnyRecently]

Magnificent teacher.

[@Orchideria]

Thank you

[@user-fp1ox5zj7d]

Your cat is so cute! 😸

[@paulaboucher5530]

Hello, I have an orchid that is over 12 years old and has been outside in zone 9B. It blooms every May with a 6 food tall stem, that of sprouts with two or three fragrant woodsy flowers per sprout. The stem of flowers became shorter last May, and it has not bloomed this May. I love this plant and it is the last of my Husband's orchids. He passed 6 years ago, and I so want to save it. It is a 12" huge big bowl of leaves ending in with spoon shaped leaves into the ball and has lots of short thin white threaded roots. It blooms around May 10, my anniversary. It is has not bloomed yet. I think it is a miracle that it still lives. I had to move it from its place under the overhanging roof because of gutter installation. I live within a 1000 feet of the ocean, and it is humid, and dry, depending on the season. Should I separate the ball and how do I do that? Thank you.

[@kathrynlu7272]

hi, thank you for your very informative & educational video. I was gifted phals that were store bought & wants to care for them. a few days ago, I discovered some black spots around the roots of 2 of them. I decided to repot them & follow your step by stem instruction. one of the materials needed is cinnamon. I don't know where & how to use it (?)... thanks again for a very helpful video, I will get all my materials ready. stay awesome!

[@Orchideria]

Thank you!

[@kellykreig5510]

I may have walked away at the wrong time, but what is the cinnamon used for?

[@joshuadecker1305]

Cinnamon is used as an antifungal or antibacterial. Its good to use when you break or cut into green roots.

[@swapankumardey7246]

You have described with demonstrated very nicely. While repotting I clean the roots and remove damaged roots and then I clean the roots with diluted potassium permanganate and after that I spray with fungicide. Could you please advise what food and how you apply. I use very diluted N:P:K (19:19:19) and seaweed extract. I am staying in eastern part of India, where the minimum and maximum temperature is 16 to 40 degrees centigrade (60 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Do I need to keep them under glow lamp? Thanks in advance 🙏

[@MarjonoJono]

Wonderul thank for sharing tutorial

[@annermel9121]

Great video.

[@rodrigpa76]

What if I didn't know better and replanted all of my Orchids only to find out the media that I repotted them in has gnats? I watched your video on getting rid of the gnats but I just repotted. I didn't use the full repotting that you suggest anyway. My plants are less than a year old and roots are very healthy. I want to restart and do it right, am I going to hurt them more?

[@kieuhatch4896]

Great video, love your cat!

[@Orchideria]

Thank you!

[@karengroeniger4427]

If it is time for a spike and has not been repotted over 2years but not spiking can I repot to help it?

[@bradleybruvva3021]

I have gotten 4 orchids from the store within the last few months and I just decided to repot them all today. They all had a massive chunk of wet moss in the center. A couple of them were starting to get yellow, so I’m using Better Grow Special Orchid Potting Mix. They all had so many dead roots, but I swear, I feel like the leaves and flowers have all perked up already. I’m hoping the mix I got works well, it has fir bark, charcoal, and perlite. The chunks are much bigger than what was originally in them.

[@Orchideria]

Hi Bradley, It sounds like they'll be a lot better off now. Usually bigger chucnks are healthier for the orchid (more air flow, faster drainage, etc) unless you have a very tiny orchid. If you have a mini orchid, then water it more and it will be fine.

[@bradleybruvva3021]

@@Orchideria oh yay! Thank you! I'm nervous. I've always been hesitant to get orchids but have always wanted them. I feel much better about buying them now.

[@eikoqdupree101]

I was using this potting mix. When I notice it doesn't have any moss. The last time I repotted I made my own mixs. So I had a bag of moss that I added today. So glad we were reminded to wet the moss 1st.🪴

[@michelleslifeonrepeat]

Great tutorial.

[@Orchideria]

Hi Michelle! Thank you! I appreciate it so much!

[@merz8738]

At the end of the video, you mentioned about watering or not. If I did not make any cuts, then you said, yes, we can. But if I did make some cuts on the roots, when can I water my Phalaenopsis?

[@andreelauzier3276]

🤣 it's a cat it doesn't know better! And it so cute. Love you're videos!

[@Orchideria]

Hi Andree, Thank you! 😊

[@christinemurphy7204]

So helpful!!

[@Orchideria]

Thanks. I'm glad the video helped.

[@patriciabawan259]

Do you recommend peat moss for orchids?

[@henryliu3543]

Great Video! I repotted my my Phalaenopsis orchids one year ago. The plants looking healthy, but no blooming, why? Thanks

[@Orchideria]

Hi Henry Liu, Thank you for watching my video. I appreciate it. There are many reasons an orchid won't rebloom. In this article orchideria.com/when-do-phalaenopsis-orchids-bloom/ I go over some of those reasons. I hope it helps.

[@nanettealsop]

Love your videos 👍. I'm a beginner (2 years) and am still learning, so your 'pointers' are extremely welcome. Your cat is so cute and, if you can, could you share where you got your eye glasses from please, as I'd love to get a pair just like those 🕶.

[@Orchideria]

Hi Nanette, Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate it. 😊 I was in Brazil when I got my glasses, so really I can't recommend a store in the USA. If I find a pair like these near me, I'll send you the link.

[@nanettealsop]

@@Orchideria Thank you 💐

[@patriciacasey3346]

This really a question. Should you always repot a newly purchased phal

[@mjugalbot]

Hi and thank you for sharing on how to repot the orchids.I have three Vanda , and I had them in a lattice wood hanging in the air. Can I repot them in a clay pot and/ or in water in a glass vase. Thank you

[@tallybeaverman9462]

Happy Thanksgiving sweetie.😊👍

[@Orchideria]

Hey Tally! Thank you! 😊

[@stuartkaufman6131]

You didn't water the transplant?? Ok, then when will you water it for the first time? Does watering an orchid with few good roots actually stress the plant more then letting is sit dry for a few days?

[@MarichuDoig1]

Did she mention how to use the cinnamon ? Is it an alternative anti fungal ?

[@BajaRosie]

so i went to repot my phal and some of the roots are red/purple??? whats going on??? too much sun??

[@AbigailBenni]

Is it potting media or medium?

[@Donna_child_of_God]

Love this video! Thank you! Hope you will be doing a video on repotting a cattelaya soon! I had to repot a mini cattelaya yesterday and put it in a much smaller pot as it had a terrible root system. Do you have any suggestions you could give to me for this orchid?

[@Orchideria]

Hi Donna, I'm glad the video helped. 😊 I don't have a video on repotting Cattleya yet, but it is on my list to make. The one difference between Cattleyas and Phals is the size of the pot. Also, there is a lot more clean up to do around the rhizome. I think next next I'll get that video made. If not, it will be pretty soon since I'm doing a repotting series now. So, you're in luck.

[@eldagraves2310]

What about the perlite?

[@BK-jp4ys]

Nice and very informational video. I subscribed ! Excuse me, the last video u uploaded was one year ago. You didn’t quit right?

[@billkeys5615]

when trying the 5days wet, 2days dry , is the dry time out in the ir or in the vase

[@Orchideria]

HI Bill, I keep mine in the vase so the roots are not messed with as much

[@user-xv4fy8oq2y]

Need help, I got gifted an orchid for Valentines day. It’s doing pretty good and still in bloom but since I got it I’ve noticed some faint white hairs on the roots, mostly on gray/dried roots and not the green ones but it’s spreading around the pot. I’m not sure what to do? 😢

[@Orchideria]

Hi C, I would repot it and cutnoff the dead dried roots. It will probably lose it's flowers, but it looks like the medium has bacteria in it- not the good kind. If you want to wait until it's finished the blooming cycle, that's fine too. Just as long as the white fuzzy stuff isn't growing too rapidly.

[@user-xv4fy8oq2y]

@@Orchideria Thank you! Right now I’m trying to keep the area airy and a little bit of more sun. The plastic container it came in only has one small hole at the bottom and it’s not very airy, the roots are very pressed on the inside as well. 😢 But i’ll keep track of the white fuzz, and maybe do an emergency repotting.

[@radhanadevi]

have u used onion skin water as a fungicide ?

[@twistedelegance_]

Don't do that. Anything like that will rot and cause root rot for the plant as well. Use fungicides from stores instead.

[@mariacatalano5252]

Hi love your video. I am new to growing orchids and I as given a Venus slipper orchid. The roots are not green but they are not mushy either. Is the plant dead? Thank you.

[@Orchideria]

Hi Maria, It's hard to know without looking at thw whole plant. Are the leaves strong and firm?

[@mariacatalano5252]

@@Orchideria yes the leaves are strong and firm.

[@argenebulosan5128]

I would like to repot my phalaenopsis because not much space for growing roots but my problem is that they do not stop blooming. Before the flowers dropped off, another spike started to grow. So I am afraid to repot them.

[@Orchideria]

Hi Argene, Sometimes things are best left alone, untouched. If it's flowering non-stop then I would leave it. You could try to repot it once the last bloom has fallen off, but the orchid won't like it.

[@catherinebassett4620]

I'm new to orchids. Because you said yours don't stop blooming, can I ask what your set up is and what media /medium is? Thank you in advance

[@argenebulosan5128]

@@catherinebassett4620 I just bought them from the supermarket last year summer and since I bought them they never stop blooming.

[@melissamorales3635]

I wish you had released this a month ago. I repotted some because I had issues with my first repot where I had quite a lot of root loos on quite a few plants. When I repotted I went with the same size pot as what they were in. Now I’m kicking myself,I should have gone smaller. I\and now because I lost so many roots,they were in a mix like yours originally they are in Orchiata. Bark is just so much easier for me. So since I just repotted them a month ago in huge pots with little to no roots what should I do?

[@Orchideria]

Hi Melissa, I'd leave them be. If you change their pot again so soon, they will have a hard time recuperating. The larger pot won't exactly hurt them, it just takes longer for the roots to grow and reach the sides. They long for the side if the pot to hold on to, so the grow outward. That's why it's better to underpotted than overpotted. But it won't kill the orchid. Just give it extra time to develop healthy roots, and it will be ok. And make sure the orchid isn't wobbly. That's another problem with the oversizzed pot - lack of stability. If it grows a lot, it might need a tutor or a stake go lean against, jsut so those roots don't die off.

[@melissamorales3635]

@@Orchideria I did stake them but they are still a bit wobbly. I think I’m going to move them out of my sunroom and into my living room. My sunroom is only about 63 degrees about 5 degrees colder than my living room.

[@judithbarton6562]

You can root a new plant with the stem go you tube very interesting.

[@monicaregister7021]

I am a beginner. So I started googling when I first got. I saw it say repot after it dries. So I did but by the instructions on the bags. I put the orchid mix at the bottom and wrapped the roots in the moss. But the leaf is cracking like you said if it dehydrated. Should I repot again. Also if you water how to water? Can I pour water directly on the mix

[@Orchideria]

Hi. You can repot, but the orchid won't like it. To water, just keep the water on the media.

[@monicaregister7021]

I'm trying to watch all of the videos. But the stem is also looking kinda yellow on top but dry feeling going down. Do I need to cut it off if so where do I cut it of at. Or will it fall off

[@Orchideria]

Hi Monica. I have a video about that which would explain better than me trying to type the answer here. If you go the the Playlist page on my channel, you'll see all the videos. Look for the one that says where to cut the spike. I hope that helps.

[@monicaregister7021]

Thank u

[@karlaperez3035]

Excellent video! Can I spray Physan 20 on the leaves or just the roots? When I spray the roots, do I rinse after? Thank you 🌸

[@Orchideria]

Hi Karla, I'm glad the video helped. 😊 I spray just the roots since they are the ones most infected with bacteria. If you want to spray the leaves you can, but rinse with water after so they can breathe.

[@karlaperez3035]

@@Orchideria Thank you 🌸

[@marlenebornman1841]

Can i use bark off any tree

[@markdale278]

Hi Amanda , I used the physan 20 , I did not rinse the roots before putting in the media , is that ok ?

[@Orchideria]

Hi Mark, Depending on how much you used, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. Physan will wash off when you water normally.

[@markdale278]

I mixed .25 to gallon

[@Orchideria]

Then you should be fine 🙂

[@Just_Lurking8]

If I use this type of basket, will It keep the humidity it needs, potted in Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid Mix ?

[@Orchideria]

Hi Vicky, That depends on your environment. Mine dries out a lot, but I'm a heavy waterer and have the humidifier pointed right at it. So you're right, it does dry out a lot. If there is only bark, then add some sphagnum too.

[@Just_Lurking8]

@@Orchideria Thanks, I won’t get root rot using this basket, while using sphagnum In Houston’s humidity. I just reported two of them, can I change the setting ?

[@Orchideria]

If I was just a few days ago, then yes, you can repot again. If it was about a month then I'd just leave them alone. It will be more damage to the roots because they have just "settled in" their new environment.

[@Just_Lurking8]

@@Orchideria Thanks, good night 🌙

[@elmerarellano2674]

one on one great i have new orchid bloom

[@Orchideria]

Hi Elmer! Thank you for watching. I appreciate it. Since your orchid is in bloom, don't repot it now. Just enjoy it while it's flowering.

[@elmerarellano2674]

@@Orchideria your welcome i have some with no flower try to copy your procedure tommorow

[@elmerarellano2674]

@@Orchideria ilove orchid

[@elmerarellano2674]

@@Orchideria3 to 4 years that was nice

[@Orchideria]

Yeah!!! I wish you the best. If you have any questions during the process, feel free to ask.

[@ceeteemcdee9680]

Another good video, thank you :) I'm getting ready to repot one of my Phals ( yaphon oh my God ) because I thought the roots might be rotting. The stem was sticking up way too far cuz she recently dropped 3 leaves in quick succession while in bloom and the tops of the roots looked black. I've got some orchiata bark and other stuff ready to go, but. ... There is a large aerial root that would need to definitely come off in order to plant it deeper like it should be. Is it OK to cut this off since it does have a decent root system below? And should I cut the flower spike as well? It does have a new leaf coming in. She has been a regular bloomer for me so I want to do the right thing. Thanks again!

[@Orchideria]

Hi CeeTee McDee, There are a few options. I would say it's OK to cut off the areial root, if it's only one, but I'd rather try to push it down in the pot. Even though it's not adapted to being in the potting media and it might die, there is a chance it might not. If it doesn't, then the orchid wins. You can keep the flower spike on, without cutting it. Since the roots are in good health, your orchid may just keep on blooming. This change of new potting media will stress the orchid a lot though, so keep an eye out to know if the leaves are shrivelling or some other indication that it's struggling. If the orchid reacts badly, cut the spike. It is better to lose the floor spike than the whole orchid.

[@ceeteemcdee9680]

@@Orchideria Ok, thank you! I'll try that. She was a gift from my hubby and very unique.

[@estrellatietz9373]

Had you ever tried using terrarium to rehab orchids?

[@Orchideria]

Hi Estrela, Yes, but it was harder than I anticipated. I found that closed terrariums work but open ones (with no lid) don't. I keep healthy orchids in an open terraium and they do fine, but recovering orchids are harder to manage. That's why I don't recommend it.

[@altavisagie]

Can I repot my Phil in a glass bowl with potting medium