Question
Hello Jim, thank you for your last answers, they wher very helpful. I have another question, I have this phal orchid for 8 months now and it bloomed for 6 months! after that it developed 2 big new leaves and new roots, and what is better is that I have a new flower spike almost as tall as the first one (that I cut back few inches) so I am expecting blooms in 2 months or so. The orchid has been living on a windowsill of a south faciing window, plenty of light, the potting medium is spagnum moss and I water it once a week in the kitchen sink every sunday. Well this past sunday I noticed that the potting medium on top of the plant is still moist and it seems that is getting like a mush (I guess it is decomposing), since the orchid pot is plastic I can see the new roots and they look green and healthy, at least the ones I can see, the plant feels a light so I was about to water it as every sunday but because of the moist medium I did not, because I am afraid of overwatering and have root rot. The wheather is changing now I live in southern Maryland and it is colder at night about 68 f, I also bought a little fan to increase air circulation. I am confused, should I wait to water when the potting medium feels dry at the surface even if I do not water once a week? I never had this happening before, the orchid seemed ok with the once a week shower.
Any advise about this?
Veronica


Answer
Hi again Veronica,

What you are experiencing with the moss mix is one reason I do not care for it, it breaks down fairly quickly and starts to hold water over longer and longer periods.  If you continue to water weekly you may soon end up with rotten roots which will lead to the decline of health of your phal.  Moss needs to be replaced at least yearly but every 6 months is best.  This is another reason I do not care for moss, it involves too much work.  (grin)  

If it were my phal., I would have repotted it as soon as I could into a bark based mix.  Since yours has a new spike, I would suggest waiting until it finishes blooming before proceeding with repotting.  In the mean time, be a little more careful with watering, spacing it longer and longer.  To check how much moisture is still within the moss mix, try using a shish-kabob skewer.  Push the skewer into the mix and if it comes out moist, wait.  When it comes out barely moist is the time to water.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.