Hello!
I just received my Phalaenopsis gigantea today in excellent shape and would like to make sure i treat it right and it remains that way!
Its biggest leaf is around 12-15cm so its not a big plant yet,and its potted in bark in a 12cm pot. I am keeping it indoors,as it is, till i decide what to do with it. I would like to ask you a few question about its culture:
When is it best to water this species? When all the bark dries out,including the bottom of the pot? Or when half the bark dries and some moisture remains at the bottom of the pot? Its clear plastic so i can see it easily.
How is it best to water it?
I am planning to eventually try growing this species mounted on a tree outside,in my Pyrgos Garden. The area is generally humid even in the summer and at night there is almost always dew. The microclimate under that tree is even more humid thanks to protection from two walls and the many underplantings. Pyrgos received arround 1000mm of rain annually with most during winter but they are generally well distributed from September through May. There is usually no rain in summer. Pyrgos is relatively warm yearround with almost all days above 10C even during the worst period of winter. Annual lows are -1C to -2C and every 20 years or so we get a bad freeze with a record of -3,6C. Pyrgos has 1-2 nights with such temperatures and they only occur just before sunrise and then it warms up fast to 10C or more. The area i want to mount this orchid has an even better microclimate and it may actually never freeze there or it might be more like -1C or -2C during the worst winter and this would be under canopy so frost shouldnt be an issue.
Do you think Phalaenopsis gigantea can handle that with proper mounting? The trunk of the tree is leaning for a good part so its even possible to mount under it if that would help. Watering would be daily(night) in winter(unless it rains)and bi daily in summer(morning and night)via spaying of the trunk. Any info you can give me on the proper way to mount it(position of the trunk,media used to wrap on the trunk and hold some extra moisture maybe,etc)and of its watering when tree mounted outside,would be really appreciated. This trunk will eventually be filled with epiphytes of its upper side including Monstera deliciosa,Asplenium nidus,Vanilla planiflora,Zamia pseudoparasitica and others so extra protection from those other plants will come before a record cold hits.
I also plan to keep a P. gigantea indoors(i will get more of them soon). What is the best way to grow it indoors?
Sorry for the so many questions
Thank you very much in advance!
Culture questions for Phalaenopsis gigantea!
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