Creeping Phalenopsis

[guyos]

Hi Orchidares

My Phal is growing leaning over to one side and and out of the pot, would it be OK for me to repot it and and make it vertical n the center so that I can stake it? Would this affect it?

guyos

[Carolla]

I don't know, about half of mine creep like that and I just let them do their thing. I doubt it would care if you put it upright and staked it, but it would fight to creep I'm sure. Some people mount them growing downward on wood, it keeps the water out of the crown and they grow and bloom fine that way. Some of them just seem to like to grow sideways!

[sddivey]

I have a few like this and tried to stake them straight....they just like to lean....can't correct them so I stopped fighting them and letting them do their "thing"

[78Terp]

Do you like to paddle upstream?

That is what you would be doing attempting to alter the phals nature.

IMO, 'creeping' gives the plant character!

[raybark]

"Bingo", Terp!

A phalaenopsis in nature grows with its leaves more-or-less pendant. It's a great way to avoid crown rot!

You'll find many larger specimen plants growing in pots or baskets hung sideways.

[Carolla]

How do you keep the medium in if you hang the pot sideways? I have a large Phal that entirely creeps, it would be fun to try something new with it! It is currently my oldest and largest Phal.

[guyos]

Thank you folks, since the consensus is to let it creep, I will leave it as it is but it does make the pot go off balance and I cant hang it.

[chingjervis]

Im no expert, for hanging, I think its just a matter of wiring. Position the wire in such a way that it will "aid" the creeping phal not to fall down.

For me. I leave it as it be, and just work along with the phal. It gives a uniqueness or "personality" to the phal.

For display puposes, maybe you could put some spaghnum moss to cover it up and put some mini statue/figurine, to give it a story.

[Carolla]

My biggest creeper is in a pretty heavy clay pot with good drainage, that seems to be enough to keep it upright. It's large enough to entirely fill my kitchen sink!



Good luck!

[guyos]

Thanks for the idea of a heavy clay pot, that would keep it firmly grounded.
guyos