Hi Matt and thank you. It was an effort finding the right location and watering regime for the phals. I have lost many but like you I am determined to grow the darn things through trial and effort. I think they have found their happy spot. I liken the phals to a vanda in terms of watering, they love to be moist but cannot stand to have their roots sitting in water. Hence, your method of suspension works and I have even thought of doing it myself, thats why I got baskets and clay pots. I barely packed moss and bark in each container, in fact there are a lot of open spaces or gaps in my pots because I want the roots to breathe. I believe the roots will find their "zone". If they want more moisture they will stay in the container and if they want to out they will climb out
My big white was not trained it has Sogo in it and I was expecting a higher bloom count but it formed a naturally shingled effect. I love quality whites!
In terms of lighting on the Dtps. I just bought these clones 2 weeks ago with 1 flower open so I cannot take credit or blame for the color of the leaves. However, it has Doritis in it and it exhibits strong Doritis patterns in its leave and plant structure. In my experience with Doritis, it needs brighter light and less water. Maybe the grower/nursery treated it with brighter light? I placed it on the north side of my bamboo, if it suffers I will move it back with the phals. Its funny you should mention magnesium. I am experimenting with epson salts too, but I am not too familiar with its use
Also bear in mind that I grow my plants outdoors exposed to the environment. I am fortunate to live close to the ocean, but I am enough inland that none of my plants get salty air, but I get lots of breeze. Its great for circulation and keeping down blackspot and mold
I have attached a photo of my bamboo, I grow my vandas on it and grow the phals behind it under a fan palm. The photo was taken at 10am so you will notice the phals get a lot of morning light but as it travels towards the west it gets nice and shady. Thank you for taking such an interest in culture, everyone will have a different perspective but this works for me
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