Hi, orchids like their roots to breath so their potting mix deppends on the type of orchid most phals are potted in a mix containing spagnum moss which helps to retain water so if your a person that waters often then a more poros mix is needed if you don't water often then a mix containing moss would better fit yo. Phals don't really like to go bone dry they like a bit of moisture at all times and you can even make your own mix too. Most times if a phal is in bloom the recomendation is to wait until its finish to repot bt if the orchid is stress or has root problems then repotting immediatly wold be best. I am sure someone else will shear their expertise on this. I hope this helps. Velleta

Thank you. I'm not sure how often I water yet as I've not had them for very long. I guess I shouldn't stress out about it just yet. I will let it be until I re pot the other and then maybe consider re potting it. I just didnt want to leave it in the miracle gro stuff if it was just a bad idea to use it.

To be on the safe side once per week should be fine for watering. Mine are potted in spagnum moss. Bark and charcoal. bark and charcoal for drainage and the spagnm moss for a bit of moisture. You can also put your finger in it to tell when it needs to be watered phals are one of the easiest orchids to grow they bloom for long and does not require full sun. Also its a good idea to give them some food. I use 20-20-20 two times per month and use plain water once per month for flushing. Watch your plants and they will tell you what is working or not. Phals are one of the most beautiful orchids. Love them and they will show their appreciation. Velleta.

Yesterday I bought some spagnum moss and some rocks that were in the orchid section. Can I put the rocks at the bottom of the pot for drainage?

Leslieann yes you can, it will also help to balance the pot from toppling over. If your planning to use just the spagnum moss, be extra careful with the watering, moss hold lots of water so you would need to let it dry out more and don't pack it in too tightly. You need air space I would recomend that you add some perlite, bark, charcoal any one of those just for better drainage.you don't want the roots rotting from water and no air. Velleta

Thank you Velleta! I think I will mix the miracle gro barky stuff with the sphagnum moss. I just got a new orchid in that I ordered from ebay and its a dendrobium phal hybrid. I guess I should have read the description better. I have two phals and one hybrid now. So the new hybrid has a bunch of roots coming out of the pot. Is that a sign that I should repot it? Right now its in a 4 inch pot. Is it ok to go up to a 7.5 inch orchid pot or is that to big? I read that they like to be in smallish pots.

Leslieann I think mixing the bark with the moss is a much better mix. About your new one when you have roots that are going all over the place that indicates you need a bigger pot but I think you should use one that the roots fit into snugly not to big ( holds too much water) but just enough space to be comfortable so get a 5 inch, 6 inch and remove your orchid for its current pot,shake away the mix,remove any dead or brown roots( these are not needed and when yo remove it, it will come off a piece of thin strip this is the actual root) this you can leave (helps to anchor your plant) get the 5inch put your orchid in if its too tigh go for the 6inch once it fits comfortable go ahead and repot, if it need a bigger pot then do so BUT I doubth it will. The reason orchids are planted in small pots it helps to prevent overwatering and it dries ot better. I hope I have answered your quuestion. ( I repotted 20 phals lasts night all int 4-5 inches pot I had to put the plastic pots in clay pots to help and balance a few of them. The leaves were hugh if you like I can send you a pic they are not in bloom though only one is) lol. Velleta

Thank you so much. That was so very helpful! I would love to see a picture. I tried to find a way to send you a private message with my email so you could send it but I could not figure it out. I found a local orchid and tropical place and they carry clear pots so I'm going to get some today.

Leslieann, just an after thought,your new orchid is a dendrobium ( small pointed leaves on a long cane) right? Much smaller than the phal. If your answer is yes, its potting mix is very different from a plal it prefers to be on the dry side. A potting mix for a den should contain BARK,STONES,PERLITE. NO MOSS ( they ship it with moss to help hold water for the journey. Moss will keep it too wet and rot the roots ( mine are potted in just stones). So plals like moisture, dens like to be on the dry side. So you need to get a different mix for your den or better yet. You said you bought some stones ( mix the stone and bark for your den) and try it. Velleta.

I love clear pots, you see exactly what the roots are doing withouth desturbing the plants. Make sure you buy them in different sizes.and try to get a small bag of perlite the course grade this you can use in EVERYTHING. Velleta.

Thank you for the info on the dendrobium. It has the leaves and the canes of the dendrobium but the flowers of the phal. Its a pretty hybrid. I'm going to re pot this weekend probably. I went to an orchid nursery today and the proprietress told me not to repot. I think I am anyway just since they are new and the dendrobium hybrid is in moss.

If you put that Dendrobium into a 7.5 inch pot it will probably die. Easy in tropical places like Hawaii, Northern Australia, Southern Florida
Regarded as extremely difficult here and places like California.
You need to do some research on how to grow it in zone 8.
What is the hurry? and in any case you will soon be sliding into winter.

Hi Leslieann, as promise her is a pic of some of my phals not in bloom but just to show you what they look like. I just repotted them last night. I will also post a few more pics and explain in each. Velleta

This is a pic of my dens potted in stones,charecoal and a little bark.

Mini cattleya's. Potted in bark, charcoal,perlite.

This is my phal potted in moss,bark,charcoal and perlite. It also has a baby plant at the top of a spike that onced bloom. Phals sometimes send out( Kieki's) from the top of a spike called an arieal kieki, or from the bottom called Basal kieki. Sometimes when they are stressed or sometimes for not appearant reason. Some variety do this more often than some. But you will find this out evantually. I sent you different. Orchids in different potting mix that you will see they each thrive in different potting mixes. Each has it own likes and dislikes just like people.we learn about their need to better take care of them. So do your homework read, use the net and of course we are always here to help you along your journey. Velleta

Wow. The pictures are great. The leaves of you plants are so pretty. To answer the other poster. Im in no rush to re pot but everything I've read on the internet says that when you get a new orchid you should re pot and take a look at the roots so thats the information I was working with. I did re pot them today. I put them back in the small pots and just added the rocks and the new mix. We will see what happens.

Good luck and keep us posted on the results. :). Velleta.