TheNaturePlanet

When we happily bring home a newly purchased phalaenopsis, we always face two key questions: should we repot it immediately? And how long should the acclimation period be? Understanding these issues in depth can help create a suitable growth environment for phalaenopsis and make it bloom in its most beautiful form.

It is generally not recommended to repot newly bought phalaenopsis immediately. Commercial phalaenopsis are typically sold in transparent soft plastic pots. Although these pots are less aesthetically pleasing, they offer good air permeability and low cost, making them suitable for mass planting and transportation. Meanwhile, merchants usually use sphagnum moss as the growing medium, which has excellent water retention and air permeability to meet the plant’s growth needs during sales. Additionally, the root system is inevitably damaged during repotting. Newly bought phalaenopsis are already in a phase of adapting to the new environment due to changes in their surroundings. Repotting at this time will worsen the situation, easily causing stunted growth, or even yellow leaves and root rot. This is especially true when the phalaenopsis is in bloom, as repotting may cause the flowers to wither prematurely.

There is no fixed standard for the acclimation time of newly arrived phalaenopsis, usually ranging from 7 to 15 days. The purpose of acclimation is to help the phalaenopsis adapt to the environmental change from the greenhouse or flower shop to the home. During acclimation, place the phalaenopsis in a well-ventilated area with bright light but no direct sunlight. If the environmental difference between the home and the purchase location is significant—such as obvious changes in temperature and humidity—the acclimation period may be extended. For example, if the phalaenopsis is bought from a warm and humid flower market but the home environment is dry and cool, the plant will need more time to adapt, and the acclimation period may reach 15 days or longer.

During acclimation, closely monitor the plant’s condition. Slight softening or wrinkling of leaves is a normal acclimation response. However, if serious issues such as extensive yellow leaves or root rot occur, promptly adjust the growing environment or take corresponding rescue measures. At the same time, control the watering frequency during acclimation—keep the growing medium slightly moist to avoid waterlogging and root rot.

If repotting is necessary, choose an appropriate time. It is generally recommended to repot after the flowers have withered or during the vigorous growth period in spring and autumn. When repotting, prepare pots with good air permeability, such as ceramic pots or purple sand pots, and high-quality growing media such as sphagnum moss and bark. Carefully remove the phalaenopsis from the original pot to minimize root damage. Remove part of the old growing medium, trim off rotten and aged roots, then place the plant in the new pot, fill it with new growing medium, and press it firmly. After repotting, allow a period of acclimation to help the plant adapt to the new growing environment.

In summary, newly bought phalaenopsis should not be repotted immediately unless necessary. Instead, give them sufficient acclimation time to adapt to the new environment. Only by following the growth rules of phalaenopsis and providing scientific care can this beautiful "queen of orchids" bloom in our homes.