help with very special orchid

YvonneD

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Sep 21, 2009, 4:43:55 PM9/21/09

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Last October my husband bought me a beautiful white orchid for our 23
anniversary. He died in February.

The plant lost it's last bloom three weeks ago. It was in a very
small pot that was so packed with roots that I had to cut the pot
apart in order to get the plant out. I wanted to give it some new
growing medium and put it in a slightly larger pot.

When I planted it, it looked OK, but now it's listing to the side of
the pot with so many roots exposed it looks like spaghetti. Otherwise
it appears to be fine.

Should I leave it like this?

Picture is here:

http://home.comcast.net/~jbcamel/ebay/orchid.jpg

Thank you.

Jane

jankey

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Sep 21, 2009, 5:20:11 PM9/21/09

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well, as long as you water it sufficiently, it will keep growing;
phals can grow almost bare root if the conditions are right. if it
were mine, i'd take another crack at repotting it.

do any local nurseries in your area hold repotting clinics? you might
be better off taking it there--they have lots of pots and stakes and
media, etc.

that said, some phals just like growing sideways. :) i have a couple
that immediately start trying to stand on their heads as soon as i
repot them upright.

--j_a

Diana Kulaga

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Sep 21, 2009, 9:28:43 PM9/21/09

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Yvonne -

Try this link:

http://www.firstrays.com/free_info.htm

Click on repotting.

Your plant is healthy, but I agree with JA that it needs another repotting.
If you need more help after looking at the link, post here again.

Diana

"jankey" <jan...@erols.com> wrote in message
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YvonneD

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Sep 22, 2009, 9:20:12 PM9/22/09

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On Sep 21, 9:28 pm, "Diana Kulaga"

Yvonne is my daugher. I always forget to log her out before I post.

Anyway, thank you for the link. I have already repotted it. I staked
it so that maybe, maybe it will stay upright.

Jane

Diana Kulaga

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Sep 22, 2009, 10:09:31 PM9/22/09

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"YvonneD" <googlem...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Jane

Good luck with it, Jane. Holler if you need us.

Diana

Wendy7

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Sep 23, 2009, 1:07:58 AM9/23/09

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Hi there Jane, Welcome aboard, I see you already have some good advice.
I noticed in your photo that your plant is in a plastic pot & a decorative
pot.
The roots need air as well as water. These orchids grow in & on trees in the
wild so
if you imagine that, then you will save this plant.
Do not treat it like a house plant, water & fertilize when almost dry &
don't let them
sit in water.
Good luck with your Phalaenopsis & keep in touch.
Cheers Wendy

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YvonneD

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Sep 24, 2009, 9:57:19 AM9/24/09

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On Sep 23, 1:07 am, "Wendy7" <nos...@this.com> wrote:
> Hi there Jane, Welcome aboard, I see you already have some good advice.
> I noticed in your photo that your plant is in a plastic pot & a decorative
> pot.
> The roots need air as well as water. These orchids grow in & on trees in the
> wild so
> if you imagine that, then you will save this plant.
> Do not treat it like a house plant, water & fertilize when almost dry &
> don't let them
> sit in water.
> Good luck with your Phalaenopsis & keep in touch.
> Cheers Wendy
>

> "YvonneD" <googlemail2...@yahoo.com> wrote in message

Thanks. Actually I have 7 other orchids, peanuts compared to most I
know. I've had very good luck with the phals. Most have rebloomed
three or four times at least.

It's just that this one has a very deep emotional meaning for me and I
want to keep it healthy.