How are You growing your Phals? - Orchid Board

Sandy4453 · #1 10-23-2008, 08:34 PM

Hi to all

Anyone here growing their Phals in sphagnum? Mixed with? Did you switch to sphag. after less than ideal results with another medium and if so, what improvements did you find after switching?

I'm thinking of switching from bark to equal parts of sphag./tree fern pieces and about 1/4 perlite but before I do, I'd really like hearing what others have to say and what differences/improvements you've noticed after switching from __?__ to sphag?

And in the alternative, has anyone tried the mix I've mentioned and gotten bad results?

Lagoon · #2 10-23-2008, 08:47 PM

Hi Sandy,

I'm doing a few mixes with the phals. Most were in sphagnum moss with corse rok (med size perlite) It's worked out pretty nicely for us.
I did use mainly a bark mix at one time, bark, coal and some perlite, that didn't work for me - way too much watering for me. The 'chids grew well but it was to high maintance.

I'm currently trying out 2 new mixes with my phals.
1 - my paph mix of peatmoss, coal, perlite and small bark. They like it and are doing well in this media (almost a year now) tons of root growth.
2 - the second mix is much as the above the same without the peatmoss. Instead, I'm using shredded coco fiber. They seem to like it so far, Of course I'll know more down the road.

I still like the sphag and rok, not willing to give it up just yet

Jkelee · #3 10-23-2008, 08:56 PM

Hi Sandy, I Mount every last Phal of mine, as they LOVE it!! I've mounted on every last piece of wood possible

Mostly cork, but some others too.
I have about 35 phals I think, and at least 20 of them are in spike right now. I go out there every day and check them for more emerging spikes! And I promise, every day right now, more are peaking out

I won't put any phal in any pot anymore.
Only Mounts, with some moss of course

This pic, is of some of my Mounts. I took it a long while back, so you don't see all the spikes/flowers.

cb977 · #4 10-23-2008, 09:34 PM

Hi Sandy,

All my Phal species are mounted or in baskets, either sideways or upside down...they, of course, have some sphag.

I also have a number of Phal hybrids in pots with aliflor...

everybody's happy

cabnc · #5 10-23-2008, 09:45 PM

Jkelee,

Great set up but what happens when / if the temps drop ? Do you cover, insulate and heat for a few nights ? I have to bring mine in for 5 months (Wilmington, NC) so mounts have proven to be a problem with drying out in indoor central heat's low humidity.

Charlie

whygreenberg · #6 10-23-2008, 11:54 PM

Hi, Sandy! Yes, I'm growing my two Phals in a 50/50 mix of sphagnum and marble chips. I had them originally in straight fir bark, and I couldn't quite get the watering to work out. They also didn't seem to want to establish and catch hold in the bark. Of course, both of these things are due to me, not inherent in the bark. Both issues have been resolved for me now with the switch to sphagnum and marble chips.

edwardwang · #7 10-24-2008, 12:05 AM

Hi Sandy,

Most of my phals are mounted, some are grew in pots.
Mounting is nature to phal, but the humidity will be a problem. I also use pots, especially prefer to use ceramic pot in stead of plastic.
Phal's root needs to breath.To grow your phal well, first thing is to watch the roots' changes. Try to let the roots in the recycle of dry and wet.
If you are interested to mount your phal, you can see the tread I posted.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...untings-5.html

Happy with your phals!

Undergrounder · #8 10-24-2008, 02:42 AM

I switched to a 70:30 mix of sphagnum : styrofoam chunks for most of my large phals, mainly because its easiest to see when to water with sphagnum. If the sphag is starting to get crispy, then its time to water. Simple as that. Bark on the other hand is impossible to tell, it seems like the top inch is dry, but then the bottom half is sopping wet, etc.

I've also tried bark/perlite and straight perlite, and either pure sphag (watered conservatively) or sphag/styrofoam is the best for me.

P.S. For seedlings straight out of flask i use straight perlite, kept constantly wet via a reservoir of water. Most of them (except maybe the schilleriana types) love it.

Buds! · #9 10-24-2008, 09:01 AM

I have my hybrids (50% of my colelection) in s/h and they are doing better since I increase the temperature and humidity.
My speices are in sphag and diatomite (40:60). I agree with Undergrounder that sphag makes watering a bit easier.
My seedlings are now also in sphag and diatomite.

Sandy4453 · #10 10-24-2008, 09:18 AM

WOW, first, I'm amazed at all the mounted Phals. Haven't tried this but after looking at some of these pics, maybe I'll try one.

One of the biggest reasons why I want to change is, you don't always see the root growth when they're in bark. Even the clear, plastic pots can hide what's going on and I've been surprised to sometimes find a lot of failing roots. I don't like when I don't know for sure, what's going on down there.

I'm noticing that the few I'm trying in the spagh. mix, need watering more often than in bark. I've got about 25 Phals that have all been in bark and some have roots growing in, out, all over the pots while others, are not doing as well?

Gloria, I've never worked with peatmoss. Is it similar to coir? I was using coir a while back but noticed that it retained too much water and was rotting the roots.

Jackie, your display is fantastic. How often do you water? If I only had the room.....

Yvan, what are marble chips?

Susanne, there's a nursery near to me that grows all their Phals in Hydroton with a little coir. My Catts. love LECA, the best thing for them. How often do you water the Phals you have potted?

edwardwang, I looked at your other thread in the link you provided. Fantastic! How often do you water your mounts?

Undergrounder, how often do you find they need watering in the sphag.?