Phal root color ? - Orchid Board

Evendozen · #1 12-14-2017, 02:47 PM

Hi all. I am a new member from Western Pa. Should phal roots growing in bark be kept moist enough to stay green or allowed to dry to a white-silver color ? I am an amateur with orchids. My oldest plant is 3 years old.

rbarata · #2 12-14-2017, 03:07 PM

Welcome!

Water it when the roots under the medium turn silver.

fishmom · #3 12-14-2017, 06:30 PM

Welcome, Evendozen! If your plant is 3 years old, you must be doing something right

.

Evendozen · #4 12-14-2017, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmom

Welcome, Evendozen! If your plant is 3 years old, you must be doing something right

.

Thank you for the encouragement! I now have a dozen phals.

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarata

Welcome!

Water it when the roots under the medium turn silver.

I will try that. So it is ok to let the bark dry out that long ? I add a little spagnum to my bark . When it looks dry I water. I use clear plastic pots to enable me to see the roots. I thank you for replying to my question.

rbarata · #5 12-14-2017, 07:15 PM

When you say "that long" how much time are we talking about? One week? Two weeks?
Root color is a good indicator. The green color means the root is kind of "saturated" and can't absorb much water so it doesn't make sense to give it more than it can take...considering it drowning the roots...they can't breed and die.