Growing Phals (or other orchids) in a Saucer

Here is how I grow Orchids on Saucers.
First of all, clay saucers are better than plastic ones. They dry quickly, they are more stable and it's easier for watering (I put them in a bath for 2 to 15 minutes if the moss is very dry).

Usually, I drill 4 or 5 holes (4 for the bonds - 1 also used for fixation- or 1 more for the fixation) depending on my mood. You just have to put a little water in the saucer, to use a tile drill and to be careful and gentle. Good luck if you try !

For mounting, I put a layer of sphagnum (like a dome) in the bottom of the saucer, then the plant which is attached with bonds. Finally, I press wet sphagnum over the roots and... miracle... the sphagnum doesn't fall out ! Then, the roots develop and fix the mounting. Sometimes, when the sphagnum is too dry, some pieces may fall out.

This photo showed is my first saucer (cracked !). Now, I'm a pro !



Here are some photo of orchids in saucers. It's possible to grow large Phals, such as hieroglyphica or lueddemanniana, but also Brassavola, Cattleya, Dendrobium... I really like saucers, the look of the orchid is very natural.

Brassavola perrinii (in a saucer since 3 years)



The same flowering this summer :











Leptotes bicolor



Laelia gouldiana









Phal. stuartiana



Step by step with a saucer "ready to use" :

All you need, very simple, almost nothing ! NZ AAA sphagnum is the best, you know that.









And here it is