Question
Hi I bought 2 phals last September and now the blooms are starting to fall. Is this the time for me to repot to a bigger pot(right now it is only in 4 inches pot and they have moss as their medium) and what kind of medium will i be using? Pls help. thank you.

Answer
Hi Lydia.  Yes, this would be a good time to repot.  You should be able to locate a small bag of fir-bark based orchid potting mix at Amy garden canter that sells orchid plants.  Even building supply stores that have garden centers such as Lowes or Home Depot usually have orchid potting mix. You are looking for an average particle size of about 1/2 inch. Try to strain out the dustlike particles as these prevent drainage and air movement in the mix.  Then soak a portion of the potting mix while you unpot your plant.  It is not uncommon for plants grown in moss to suffer some root loss so you will need to remove any mushy roots before repotting.  If most of the roots are firm and healthy, you may be able to repot to a plastic pot that is about an inch larger in diameter. If many of the roots are lost due to rot, you may be able to reuse the same pot.  Any pot you use should have lots of drainage holes to promote good drainage.  If the plant has lots of aerial roots, you may want to soak the plant and try to work the roots into the fresh orchid potting mix.  Be careful not to break any roots as that could set the plant back some.  My preferred way to reinsert the roots is to rotate the pot while lowering the roots into the pot.  Once the roots are securely into the pot, you may begin adding the wet fresh orchid potting mix in an area which permits water to drain out.  Tap the pot as you add potting mix to help settle it about the roots.  You may resume watering in about a week.