TheNaturePlanet

Friends who grow Phalaenopsis know that sphagnum moss will become compacted and lose nutrients after being used for a long time. Only by replacing it with fresh sphagnum moss in time can the root system breathe well and grow healthily. However, replacing sphagnum moss is not just a simple matter of changing the growing medium. You need to first clean out the old sphagnum moss, then "prune and disinfect" the root system, and finally plant it properly with new sphagnum moss. Each step has its own essentials. New gardeners can follow these steps and basically won't go wrong. Let's talk about the specific operation steps slowly.

**Step 1: Clean the Root System**
First, gently take the Phalaenopsis out of its original pot. The primary task is to clean off all the old sphagnum moss wrapped around the roots. If the old sphagnum moss is dry and hard, pulling it directly may damage the roots. Instead, find a basin, fill it with water, soak the root system for a while, and wait until the sphagnum moss absorbs water and softens before slowly peeling it off. This way, fewer root hairs will be damaged.

After peeling off the large pieces of sphagnum moss, there will definitely be some crumbs stuck to the roots. At this time, carefully pick them out with small tweezers. Don't let the broken sphagnum moss hide in the root crevices—these residues are prone to trapping moisture later. After cleaning up the residues, it's time to "slim down" the root system: cut off all the empty roots (shriveled like thin threads, breaking into pieces when squeezed), rotten roots (black and sticky, crumbling when touched), and old, inactive roots with disinfected scissors. Only leave the white, tender, and resilient healthy root systems. These good roots are the "capital" for the Phalaenopsis to grow vigorously.


**Step 2: Disinfection Treatment**
The pruned root system cannot be planted directly; it must be disinfected first, otherwise the wounds are prone to bacterial infection. There are two simple methods: either find a shallow basin, pour in a carbendazim solution, and soak the root system for 15-30 minutes; if there is no carbendazim at home, gently spraying the root system with 75% alcohol also works.

Don't rush to pot the plant after disinfection. Take out the root system and let it air-dry—find a well-ventilated and cool place, and let the root system dry naturally until the surface of the root system turns silver-gray and feels non-sticky. This step cannot be skipped. If you plant it while it's still damp, the root system will easily be trapped in the sphagnum moss, and the previously pruned wounds may rot again, making all the effort in vain.


**Step 3: Planting Methods**
There are two common methods for replanting Phalaenopsis with new sphagnum moss. Gardeners can choose according to their own situation, and the core is to let the root system be comfortable without being crowded.

1. Traditional Method: Suitable for beginners, stable and error-free
First, find a flowerpot and pad a 2-5 cm thick layer of volcanic rocks at the bottom. This ensures good drainage and ventilation at the bottom of the pot, making it less likely to accumulate stagnant water. Then prepare the growing medium—for dry northern areas, mix bark and sphagnum moss in an 8:2 ratio; for humid southern areas, use less sphagnum moss, with a ratio of 8:1. More bark can make the growing medium more breathable. Gently spread out the root system of the Phalaenopsis, put it into the flowerpot, then add the mixed growing medium to the pot while gently tapping the wall of the flowerpot to let the medium slowly fill the root crevices. Don't press hard with your hands, as this may break the fragile root system.

2. Gap-Filling Method: Fits the root system, suitable for scattered root systems
First, put the Phalaenopsis into the flowerpot and adjust its position. Then take pre-soaked and moistened sphagnum moss and slowly stuff it into the gaps around the root system. When stuffing, don't force it with your hands; use a bamboo stick or chopstick to gently push it in, so that the sphagnum moss fills the root gaps and ensures that each root can be in close contact with the sphagnum moss—this way, the root system can absorb water in time and is less likely to be injured due to shaking caused by gaps.

In fact, replacing sphagnum moss is like "changing a comfortable little nest" for the Phalaenopsis: cleaning out the old nest, giving the roots a check-up, and laying a new "mattress" (sphagnum moss). As long as you follow the above steps, the Phalaenopsis will quickly adapt to the new environment and have the energy to grow leaves and bloom later!