Can you over pot Phrags?

I know that Paphs like to be in smaller pots and not to large. My one Phrag came to me in a gal pot which was huge for the plant. I had to repot it as the mix it was in was really broken down. So I put it into a 6" pot but I think that maybe due to the size of the plant it is in to big of a pot.

Would it be better and maybe bloom it it were in a 4" pot?

:-dance:

Some people will disagree with me. But i find that the phrags as a whole generally do not like to be tremendously overpotted.

Hope this helps.

IMHO, the problem with overpotting paphs is that different sections of the pot (center vs. edge) lose moisture at different rates. Overpotting is not nearly as big a concern with phrags, which obviously get a lot more water. However, overpotting can reduce airflow to the roots, especially when using a dense medium.

My recommendation is to always pot according to root size. Paphs should fit snugly into their pots, but with plenty of room for roots to grow around the periphery (for some reason my paph roots like the sides of pots). Phrags can be given a bit more leeway, but the edges of pots do provide good air flow which orchids always appreciate.

--Stephen

I agree with Stephen. Always pot according to size of the root growth and not the plant itself. Overpotting usually will result in root rot over time......

Agreed - I try to pot in the smallest pot that will adequately fit the roots. If at all possible, I like to get a bit of media between all the roots and the sides of the pot, however, if that would result in going up a size, and it is possible to fit the roots in the pot, and have a few showing, then I err on the smaller side.

Both my Paphs and Phrags seem to like to grow into the corners and sides of the pots.
Oh, and if it isn't obvious from the above, all of my pots are clear, so I can see what is going on.

Tight enought to allow one years worth of growth for me!

I've observed that, even with semi-hydo, Phrags do better if they are not over-potted. Root rot can, and will occur.

If you are more comfortable potting up a size to get the roots distributed right simply make the depth of the medium less by using styrofoam peanuts in the bottom to adjust the amount of medium. Works great for me on paphs, phrags, and especially Phals. I'm a dedicated overpotter and it is a very rare event to lose a plant to root rot.
Dean Stock

Thank you very much for all the replies....... :-dance:

I know this is the wrong reason, but overpotting in S/H gets too expensive as you waste a lot of media :D

I agree with Stephen. Always pot according to size of the root growth and not the plant itself. Overpotting usually will result in root rot over time......

I agree too. The only exceptions I know to that rule are P. rothschildianum and its hybrids, which demand much room to grow properly, and I always repot them in apparently somewhat too big pots, with satisfying results. I think you just cannot grow well a roth in a pot that only fit the rootball.

<<<Chun

Hi, new member to this group and in reading the replies to the potting of Phrags, I would like to put in my bit. I took up growing Phrags 3 years ago and learning from experienced growers here, I potted my Phrags in 15mm dia bark in pots that would be considered 4 times too big. ie if the plant would fit well in a 4inch pot, I put in a 6inch. I then sit the pot in a large tray with enough water in it to cover the drainage holes in the pot and keep it that way. The very large Phrag plants are in bowl type pots with flush fitting saucers. They have been groweing this way for two years and are growing out of site. Flowering off every growth where possible. When I figure out how to post a picture I will just to show what I am saying is true.
Roy.

A photo of one of my Phrags into the gallery. A seedling first flowering of Phrag Carol Kanzer.
I hope this works. Roy