Phals in Sphag -- how tight?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Ross

Guess I'm the lone one out here. I never use sphagnum for Phals as it tends to hold way too much moisture for my conditions. I use bark and allow lots of voids in the bark. I don't try for total coverage. I use clear pots and I allow lots of big air spaces in the bark. The roots of mine turn green because of the sun and photosynthesis and I water when everything looks real dry. So far I get really big leaves and spikes.

Your not alone Ross I agree with you!
In my conditions I have way too much root rot going on if I use pure sphag. My technique is pretty much the same: big spaces in the pot. The only difference is that I add a bit od chopped sphag to retain moisture a little bit better, or else it dries to quickly.
The only plants which I grow in pure sphag and which like it are my Neos and Sedirea japonica. But they are potted japanese style.

[mspatt]

You're not the only one who stays away from sphagnum. I can't tell when the chids need water like I can with a bark mix. Lately, I've started mounting everything, and even my neo has just a thin layer of sphag between the plant and the cork. I guess I just need to buy fifteen or twenty more so I can get the experience