Thank you so much. So without changing the media + fert right now it won't stem out? The containers as you can see I have made holes all around for air flow. Any reason why the roots are coming upwards? Also after repotting with orchid mix will it grow enough to have the stem come out? And do I continue to keep it out side for now? Thank you again.

The temp change is what will initiate a flower spike assuming you have healthy roots. We don't know what shape the roots are in because we can't see them. The aerial roots are normal - don't do anything to them! My suggest for repotting is due to a number of reasons: to get a look at the roots; to get more air around the roots, spring is the best time for repotting and to get it out of the moss which is typically too wet. Repotting may or may not help it initiate a flower spike, but should help ensure the health of the plant and address any issues. The drop in temps is what will get you a spike assuming all else is well with your plant. Typically Phals spike in the fall or winter, but that's not a rule written in stone. It's fine to keep it outside while temps are 50-85F. Hotter might start to stress the plant, much lower will be too cold.

@suzabanana so leaving it in the cold will not induce spike? Sorry I'm confused. I guess I'm just really upset as to how many orchids have never rebloomed for me.

Yes, leaving it in the cold WILL initiate a spike, but it cannot be too cold or hot. 50-85F is the preferred temp range for Phals.

You should learn about your plant. There is a lot of information on line. Your plants look healthy. Let them grow over the summer and they will make a new flower spike in the winter.

http://aos.org/Default.aspx?id=204

Jane

Awesome! So today I go outside to water my plants. I was checking on the orchid.. and I see a spike coming out from the middle of the leaves.. I AM SO HAPPY! I guess the night time 40*f's from last week and just cool 50*f's did the trick :) I'll keep everyone updated. And will soon do a repotting.

Do NOT repot if it's in spike or is blooming. You may lose the spike or flowers.

This is what I think the spike is. Or am I wrong?

It's probably a spike. It doesn't look like a root but it's so small it's hard to tell. You'll know more in a week or two.

Okay thank you. But even with good potting mix for the orchid I shouldn't repot?

You can if you want to but be aware that you risk losing the spike. Orchids don't like being disturbed. It's necessary to repot so you need to choose whether the risk of losing the spike is worth the overall health of the plant. I've had an orchid that's been in need of repotting since I purchased it in November but it's been constantly in bloom this whole time (3 spikes total). So, I'm still waiting it out.

Ivan, With a new spike in early development, you do NOT want to do anything that will stress the plant. I can't think of many things that are more stressful than jerking it out of a pot, groveling around in its roots, and then packing it in a different pot with different mix. It will take it two months or more to get over that shock, and by then it may well have decided to give up the flowering business for this season.

Go to the American Orchid Society web site and print a copy of their Phalaenopsis culture sheet, and study that. Go to some of the large commercial growers web sites and look for culture information there. Dig into posts here and learn as much as you can about the care and culture of your plant.

Bill

Thank you suzabanana. I will wait it out :) as for the 2nd small orchid nothing is there so that one would be safe?

Thank you so much Bill. I will do that now.

It's totally safe to repot if there are no blooms or spike - you've got nothing to lose on that one!

Thank you! I'm really excited. The first time ever in over 8+ plants I finally got it to spike? :D

So today I finally got plant/spike/bloom food by Miracle gro and Miracle gro coarse potting mix to repot. Also found out that mostly everything way rotted and this is what was left.

Any comments?

The top part of the new potting mix seems to be slightly dry and the middle to bottom is still wet. That should be fine I hope.

This is the picture of which I am assuming is a Spike?

Still in the old potting mix. I didn't repot even though it's been 2 years.

And these are the pictures of the new repotting.

Please advice. Thank you again.

Yay! That's definitely a spike! Congrats :)

The repot looks good although a little dry. You'll need to water a couple times a week (drench it in the sink) in the new medium.