Phal with only long airial roots. Mount option???

[moniluhum]

No no picture for now. I have a phal that has many very long aerial roots (about 6 inches). For some reason I decided to repot and found that most of the potted roots in fir bar were rotted. I read that the aerial roots should be left out of the pot. If that's the case instead of putting in pot would it not be better to just mount it? If so, I have a large cork bark that might work. Can some one tell me quickly since I have to do it very soon.

[JDT]

I would mount it!

[Chris in Hamilton]

Cork is okay but mount it on the smooth inner side if it has one. Phal. don't like very rough surfaces. Unless your humidity is very high (Right, you live in Loisiana ) you will have to water 2-3 times a day. Personally, I don't use sphagnum. Be sure you lead end is pointed down or water will sit in the crown. Mist the roots a few times a day until new ones grow and adhere to the mount.

[PaphMadMan]

I think the prohibition against putting aerial roots into the pot is overstated. They may not persist a long time inside the pot but at that point you will have new healthy inside roots taking over. Try not to break them and maybe use a more open media than usual but you certainly can transition back to a healthy potted plant. The question is whether you can and want to accommodate the mounted plant.

[Chris in Hamilton]

I think the prohibition against putting aerial roots into the pot is overstated. They may not persist a long time inside the pot but at that point you will have new healthy inside roots taking over. Try not to break them and maybe use a more open media than usual but you certainly can transition back to a healthy potted plant. The question is whether you can and want to accommodate the mounted plant.

Mounted is a lot more work than potted.

[raybark]

1). I disagree with using the interior of the cork bark; plants will put their roots into the nooks and crannies of the outside, where it stays wetter, longer.

2). Considering her location, I think Monica would do fine with a mounted phal, even if it will need to be watered more often.

3). With long aerial roots, they're going to at least crack when trying to pot them up. First I'd soak the plant for a couple of hours to saturate them, as that makes them more supple. Then I'd rotate the plant as I put it into the pot, so the roots are in a spiral.

Monica - if you still have some KelpMax, add that to the soak water, then use it to water the plant in. It'll recover shortly.

[Chris in Hamilton]

I disagree with using the interior of the cork bark; plants will put their roots into the nooks and crannies of the outside, where it stays wetter, longer.

I find that on the rough exterior, the heavy roots of Phal. can jam up and stop growing. When they grow on the smoother surface they travel across it then wrap around the back to the rougher side. Makes for longer more secure mount in my experience.

[moniluhum]

When attaching the phal to the mount, should I use sphagnum, nothing, cork fiber, or something else???

---------- Post Merged at 09:49 AM ----------

I found a flat piece of wood from my firewood supply. Should I treat it first and if so what is best way to do so?

---------- Post Merged at 10:01 AM ----------

I also found a clay pot with many large holes. Thsi would mean the roots would be seperated rather than being close to each other. Better option?

[Chris in Hamilton]

When attaching the phal to the mount, should I use sphagnum, nothing, cork fiber, or something else???

---------- Post Merged at 09:49 AM ----------

I found a flat piece of wood from my firewood supply. Should I treat it first and if so what is best way to do so?

---------- Post Merged at 10:01 AM ----------

I also found a clay pot with many large holes. Thsi would mean the roots would be seperated rather than being close to each other. Better option?

I don't use anyhting but you will find it easier to keep a bit of moisture around the roots.

Might be better off with cork for the same reason.

I've seen people use a pot like that then fill it with something moisture retaining. They turn it upside down and mount the plant on the bottom.

[Azizan]

When attaching the phal to the mount, should I use sphagnum, nothing, cork fiber, or something else???....
....Should I treat it first and if so what is best way to do so?

Elio made an article about mounting >> http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...hids-cork.html

Nothing or sphagnum will do. Living moss would make the presentation better. You have to adjust your watering habit accordingly if you mount it either with sphagnum or nothing.

I would like to know about treating the wood as well because I have this question in my mind too.