TheNaturePlanet

In the minds of many plant enthusiasts, the beauty of Phalaenopsis orchids is unquestionable. However, when it comes to care, many are hesitant due to the many failed experiences they’ve seen. For example, what should you do if your orchid has just been watered and then faces 3-4 days of continuous rain? Or if you accidentally water too much and the soil remains wet for an entire week? What if the air roots are having difficulty absorbing moisture?

Many people have encountered situations like these. If the moisture in the soil cannot properly cycle between wet and dry, it will inevitably affect the growth of the Phalaenopsis.

When facing these small problems, don't feel too frustrated, because the solutions are actually very simple. If you notice that something is off, such as the soil staying too wet for too long, simply remove the orchid from its pot. By taking it out of the pot, the sphagnum moss will dry out faster without the pot surrounding it. After the moss is partially dry, you can re-pot the orchid. This is a method that many plant growers frequently use, and it works quite well. Don’t worry about the orchid being out of the pot, as in tropical rainforests, the roots are exposed to the air, so it’s perfectly fine to perform this operation.

If, after removing the orchid from the pot, you find that the roots are in poor condition, you can take this opportunity to replace the medium. Trim off any shriveled, blackened, or decayed roots and re-pot the orchid. This operation not only replaces the medium but also helps resolve root stagnation by stimulating new root growth, accomplishing two goals at once.

Many plant lovers worry about damaging the sensitive roots of a Phalaenopsis and fear that repotting will harm the plant. In fact, the opposite is true. Trimming off bad or rotting roots does not hinder future root growth; in fact, it can prevent bacteria from spreading to the healthy roots.

Additionally, when changing the growing medium, it doesn’t have to be sphagnum moss. If your indoor temperature regularly exceeds 32°C, sphagnum moss can easily become acidic. In this case, it’s recommended to switch to tree bark. This way, the Phalaenopsis can continue to grow normally during this period.