How to Tell If the Bark Has Fallen Off Your Phalaenopsis and What to Do About It

Anyone who grows phalaenopsis knows that the layer of bark at the bottom of the pot is not just decoration - it is what provides water retention and airflow. When the bark in the pot comes tumbling out, does that count as the bark falling off? So how do you tell whether the bark has fallen off, and what should you do once it has?

How can you tell the bark has come off? The most direct way is to look at the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot - when you water as usual, if you notice small bits of bark flowing out with the water, or if a layer of something like wood shavings always settles in the saucer under the pot, then nine times out of ten the bark has started to fall off. Also, feel the surface of the potting mix: healthy bark comes in uniform chunks that feel hard; if you feel a bunch of soft powder, or if it crumbles with a light poke, then the bark has already broken down almost completely, which amounts to the same thing as falling off.

The weight of the pot can also give you a clue. A freshly repotted bark pot feels heavy; if after more than half a year you suddenly find the pot has become light, and when you water, the water runs straight through and takes ages to soak in, then the bark has probably fallen off too much and the bottom of the pot is empty, so it cannot hold water and the roots are left exposed. At this point, part the sphagnum on the surface and take a look: if there is no intact bark around the roots, only fine debris, then it really is time to deal with it.

So what should you do when the bark falls off? Do not rush to replace it all - first assess the situation. If only a small amount of bark has leaked out of the bottom of the pot and the roots are still plump and white, then it is simple - take small tweezers, clean out the debris at the bottom of the pot, then grab a handful of new bark and tuck it in, pressing it down gently; you do not need to disturb the plant above.

But if the bark has already broken down into powder, water runs straight through, and the roots have become a tangled mass, then you must repot. First lift the whole phalaenopsis out of the pot, being careful not to pull on the leaves - hold the plant with one hand and turn the pot upside down with the other, shaking it gently. Shake off the old bark and debris and check whether any roots have rotted; if there are black, mushy roots, cut them off with scissors, dab a little carbendazim on the wounds and let them dry.

When repotting, choose a pot of a suitable size, put a layer of large-grade bark in the bottom, place the plant in the middle, and pack medium-grade bark around it - do not fill it too full, and leave a finger's width of space below the rim. Remember to soak the bark in clean water for a day beforehand, then take it out and drain it before use, otherwise bark that is too dry will steal moisture from the roots.

Bark has a limited lifespan by nature - it generally needs replacing every one and a half to two years, so do not wait until it has all fallen away before you act. In normal care, do not blast the bark with a strong stream when watering, and be gentle when moving the pot, and the bark will "stay" a little longer. When growing phalaenopsis, observe carefully and you can solve any problem before it gets worse.