Question

Orchid   Hello,

My phal. orchid is five years old.  It blooms nicely every year.  My question is about its size.  It continues to get bigger and bigger and bigger...It is in a huge pot now and its leaf span goes well beyond the rim.  My fear is its height, it is so tall it's beginning to tip.  What is your advice for this plant?  I have been told from "experts" to try a variety of things from splitting it to cutting off the bottom leaves and re-potting it deeper.  I thought you couldn't split this type of orchid and why would you cut healthy leaves?

HELP!

Thanks,

Samara

Answer
Samara, first, congratulations on a great growing job.  Many growers would like to have a plant that size.  The more vigorous the growth, generally, the more and larger the flowers.
You didn't mention when you did the last repot.  If it's been two or more years since last repot, it is due for a repot.  Understand that, initially, the repot may set the plant back because existing roots and their connections will be disturbed and it will take a month or more to re-establish them. If you are to repot, you may remove the two lower leaves.  Then, when you repot, you will be able to lower the plant a couple of inches lower into a pot. However, if the root mass fills the existing pot, you may need to use a larger pot (I would not advise removing or cutting any roots).

The upper and lower sections of the plant may be divided and repotted making two plants, but, only if the upper portion has roots.  In this case, you would divided the two plants such that the upper portion will have roots.  My preference is that your plant needs to be larger and have many aerial roots emerging to undertake this option.