phals and medium

[cherublace]

I bought a phal in moss and it was very wet so i took it and replaced the moss. Now i have found you guys and read a bunch but fear the moss is keeping the phal too wet because one of the leaves is starting to yellow. (I wrote about this plant earlier, i stupidly removed two yellowing leaves when i repotted). The other two phals are in some medium that looks like soil? but it is holding too much water because it feels wet not damp. I watered them yesterday because they felt so dry. they are all in bloom with more spikes(?) growing. should i repot in phal medium (store bought)? should i leave them alone? i am watering twice a week, too much? please advise, they are so beautiful and i don't want to lose them.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I recommend potting in a bark mix. It sounds like you 'like' to water. If this is the case, then a bark mix is the better option. Check out the phal article in our library for other advice on growing and caring for your phalaenopsis orchd. Growing the Phalaenopsis Orchid (Moth Orchid)

Cheers,
BD

[jdulltasha]

I recommend potting in a bark mix. It sounds like you 'like' to water. If this is the case, then a bark mix is the better option. Check out the phal article in our library for other advice on growing and caring for your phalaenopsis orchd. Growing the Phalaenopsis Orchid (Moth Orchid)

Cheers,
BD

Hi,

I read the culture post (thank you). I don't "like" to water - what are my options if I would rather just not water as often? Also, I have some phals I already overwatered. I unpotted them, they are in bloom but all the roots have rotted. I cut away the rotted roots and wrapped the rest in soaked spagh and will let it dry out before soaking it again. Now what?

Try to save the rootless wonder by placing some sphagnum moss around the bottom of the plant, after applying some rooting hormone. Keep moist and humid.

Thanks for thi - do I put the rootless wonder in a plastic bag to encourage humidity? How long does it stay in the bag? How much hormone? Thanks!
Julie

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi,

I read the culture post (thank you). I don't "like" to water - what are my options if I would rather just not water as often? Also, I have some phals I already overwatered. I unpotted them, they are in bloom but all the roots have rotted. I cut away the rotted roots and wrapped the rest in soaked spagh and will let it dry out before soaking it again. Now what?
Thanks!
Julie

Hi Julie,

Perhaps you should try semi-hydroponics. There are articles in the library here that cover that topic too. Check out this Link: Semi-Hydroponic Orchid Growing

Cheers,
BD

[cherublace]

I am overwatering these guys, i love to tinker and think i should have let them go another day to two. After i posted this, I found sandtiger's thread about his phal and read just what i needed to know. Will read the articles again. Thanks!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I am overwatering these guys, i love to tinker and think i should have let them go another day to two. After i posted this, I found sandtiger's thread about his phal and read just what i needed to know. Will read the articles again. Thanks!

Yes, that thread is a very good one. Let us know how you work it out.

Cheers,
BD

[cherublace]

Below is what i found when repotting my phal. it looks like they butted up two plants to look as is they were one. One has healthy roots so i potted it up (see pic), it has one yellowing leaf (lowest on left) but i think it will be okay? anyone agree? the one with the spikes has one large leaf that is wilting. there are no live roots and it looks like it has crown rot but it does have two flowering spikes. is it compost pile bound? please advise. thanks.

[Diane]

Try to save the rootless wonder by placing some sphagnum moss around the bottom of the plant, after applying some rooting hormone. Keep moist and humid.

[cherublace]

ugh!!! i resized the pics (i thought) but the manager says they are too large!! will try again when i get back.

[GrumpyBear]

if they were already used to spagh it's not really the worst thing, as long as you water accordingly. i find if you're unsure then wait a day. in my experience orchids are more tolerant of being a little too dry than a little too wet.
on another note, who thinks the two spikes is too much stress on the rootless wonder?