Question
Hi Jim,
    I live in So. Fla and have about 15 phals that I grow under shade with an Eastern exposure. They have just finished blooming, the last bloom fell yesterday, the spikes are still green and some look like they might be rebudding. I read an answer that you gave about repotting annually to keep the plants healthy and have a question. All of my phals are planted in open wooden baskets and are "severely" rooted to them. In most of the plants, the potting mix is gone, but my plants and roots seem healthy. In my case, is it really necessary to repot them and add mix? I shudder at the thought of trying to get them out of the pots! Any info is appreciated.

   Thanks!

   Sheryl

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

Growing orchids within baskets is a whole different ball game.  Since all of your phalaenopsis orchids are grown in wooden baskets, there is no need to repot them because there is no potting mix or very little of it left that needs replacement.  If they are severely overgrown for the basket size, you can try using larger baskets and putting the current basket, roots and all, into the larger one.  Before doing this, try soaking the roots in lukewarm water for 30 to 45 minutes to make them a little more pliable and easier to work into the new basket.  

Of course, if you want to try taking them out of the baskets and put them into pots with potting media, you are welcome to try.  But, a warning here, if you do try to take them out of the wooden baskets and since the roots have probably grown into and through the basket, there will be a lot of damaged roots regardless of how carefully you try to remove them.  

Living in S. Florida, you have the advantage of high humidity and can easily grow many orchids in wood or plastic baskets.  Where I live, if I were to try growing orchids in baskets, I'd have to water/mist them several times a day.  

Keep up the good work!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.