growing phals in jars without media - Orchid Board

lauraeli · #1 03-17-2019, 05:51 PM

im curious is anyone else has grown their phals this way. It started with one phal with only an inch of root left. I decided to grow it like this in order to eliminate the possibility of the remaining root rotting away. It has done phenomenal and over time I have added a few more to the experiment. I water them by soaking roughly 24 hours twice a week, more if needed. I add a few drops of fertilizer usually. I have yet to see one flower when grown this way but time may tell. My opinion is that it is an excellent alternative to 'spag and bag' for weak orchids (assuming they have at least one root). the first pic is the one that started out with one root.

Orchid Whisperer · #2 03-17-2019, 06:30 PM

I have tried that method. It is called "vase culture". As you have figured out, the soak, with a dry period in between, is the way to go. You should get very good root growth.

Mountaineer370 · #3 03-18-2019, 08:14 AM

I have no personal experience with this method, but if I should find myself with an orchid in distress, with poor root health, I do believe it's what I would try first. I can't say at this time whether I would continue after the orchid seems recovered, but who knows? It seems like a very easy way to see the roots at all times, know if they're healthy or not, and know if they need water or not.

WaterWitchin · #4 03-18-2019, 10:41 AM

I used vase culture with five or six phals I took off mounts last August. They were pretty beat up, and I lost most roots when unmounting. I put them into vases with water just below root level. Filled up and soaked awhile every five to seven days. No fertilizer. By February they all had new leaves (older ones were in bad shape and I cut off) and new roots. I find it easier to do this than the sphag and bag method.

A couple of them started to spike, and I transitioned all of them into a pot with a bit of loose sphag over them. Now I water them about every 5 or so days. I think vase culture has its purpose, and revitalizing is one of them. For me, in my culture, over the long haul they do better in a medium, whether it be bark or SH. Yes, they bloom and spike, but the overall size and health of the plant isn't to my satisfaction when they stay in vase culture.

The third picture is a sad little guy who had one tiny leaf and one root about a half inch long. I experimented with him by putting LECA in a bowl, sat a light fixture base from a fan on top, filled top with sphag and just set him down on top of it. It's worked remarkably well to get him up and growing again. I put water in the bowl just to top of LECA, and don't add water again until sphag is almost dry.

I've also used a large cloche and put wet sphag on a plate, then laid a phal on top. It works very well for smaller plants, but size is limited as it's only about 14" across and 16" high. I call it my "hospital ward." I'll add a picture next time I venture down to the bat cave (winter area for orchids in basement).

Orchid Whisperer · #5 03-18-2019, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

I have no personal experience with this method, but if I should find myself with an orchid in distress, with poor root health, I do believe it's what I would try first. I can't say at this time whether I would continue after the orchid seems recovered, but who knows? It seems like a very easy way to see the roots at all times, know if they're healthy or not, and know if they need water or not.

I usually re-pot after good roots grow back. I had a couple Phals that I kept in vase culture for 2 years, resulted in a cylinder of roots that would stand up on it's own. They are growing fine after moving to conventional potting materials.

---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

@ WaterWitchin: Light fixture shade for a container, very interesting idea!

yvresse · #6 03-19-2019, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraeli

im curious is anyone else has grown their phals this way. It started with one phal with only an inch of root left. I decided to grow it like this in order to eliminate the possibility of the remaining root rotting away. It has done phenomenal and over time I have added a few more to the experiment. I water them by soaking roughly 24 hours twice a week, more if needed. I add a few drops of fertilizer usually. I have yet to see one flower when grown this way but time may tell. My opinion is that it is an excellent alternative to 'spag and bag' for weak orchids (assuming they have at least one root). the first pic is the one that started out with one root.

Thanks for sharing! How deep do you go when you soak them? Is it just the tips of the roots that sit in the water? When you were doing this with your sickly phal with an inch of root left, did you also let the stem soak as well?

fooferdoggie · #7 03-19-2019, 09:35 AM

here is a guy who is in water 24/7 he had no roots that looked viable when we did this.

WaterWitchin · #8 03-20-2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvresse

Thanks for sharing! How deep do you go when you soak them? Is it just the tips of the roots that sit in the water? When you were doing this with your sickly phal with an inch of root left, did you also let the stem soak as well?

I'm not the one you asked the question of, but I'll answer since he/she hasn't yet. I soak up to base of stem, never up to point where leaves start. I don't leave any root tips touching water. I've tried that way, but for me it didn't work. I soak for an hour give or take, then pour off and leave so roots are just above water level.