OK. I - one of the more "how is it in nature" type of guys - actually have come to see something of a benefit in "just add ice."
- The plants are potted in sphagnum, which, if flooded, can become a root-suffocating mess.
- By placing an ice cube on the surface, it will slowly melt, moistening the moss, rather than flooding it, providing moisture to the plant, while not cutting off air flow to the roots.
It works. Face facts. It doesn't appreciably damage the plants, despite all of our (yes, me too) objections.
How many of you have heard of watering standard cymbidiums with ice water to induce blooming? Granted, "in nature" a cymbidium will be exposed to colder temperatures than a phalaenopsis, but so what?
Then, the person who is successful with their icy phal might learn more and start to expand their collection, rather than give up and believe Jon Oliver was correct, and end up being a valuable contributor here.
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