What pot size in centimeters is suitable for repotting a Phalaenopsis? A detailed guide to the soil and pot changing method

Generally speaking, when a Phalaenopsis's condition suddenly takes a nosedive, besides improper daily care, it may also be because the medium in the pot has become compacted, and the media commonly used for orchids include sphagnum moss and bark. When sphagnum moss becomes airtight, it easily develops mold and a foul smell inside, and the roots get dragged into it too, followed by rot and similar problems. When bark goes bad, small white spots appear; these are all mold, and once the roots are infected, disease follows, which then affects the orchid's life.

No matter what problem you are currently seeing, as long as you lift up the roots and find rot, or bad roots, dried-out roots, or mold, it is recommended to repot immediately. Speaking of repotting plants, there are quite a few finer points to the specific steps.

First, get the preparation done, then deal with the roots. Before repotting, you must first pick a suitable pot for the plant. A transparent plastic pot or a red clay pot is recommended, and it only needs to be 5 cm larger than the original pot; too large or too small are both unsuitable. Remember to choose one with many holes in the bottom; if there are few holes, make a few more yourself later (a hot-melt tool can be used), so that after watering the excess water can flow out and root rot is avoided.

Then, the growing medium cannot be treated carelessly either. Whether it is sphagnum moss or bark, it must be disinfected in advance; you can also scald it with boiling water, or go to a flower stall and buy some specialized chemicals to soak it in. When mixing the medium, it is recommended to mix new sphagnum moss and bark at a ratio of 7:3; this is both airy and water-retentive.

Finally, after taking the plant out of the pot, gently shake off the old soil attached to the roots, and carefully check the roots. If you find roots that have turned black, become soft, or are hollow, immediately cut them off with clean scissors (that have been disinfected), keeping only the plump, emerald-green healthy roots. If the roots are too densely packed, like a tangled mess, carefully spread the outer roots apart to loosen them a little, so that the new soil can fit better around the roots and the plant can adapt to the new environment faster. In short, repotting is no longer a difficult task; just be sure to do the disinfection steps well.