Thanks Alplily,
I need to get the air in my apartment moving more as well, because I know it is very important to Phals. Does anyone have any suggestions on affordable, ultra-small, ultra-quite oscillating fans that can fit on a desktop or bookshelf and be unobtrusive. I'm thinking maybe one fan per plant and I just keep adding more to my collection.
It's a one-badroom apartment, and I keep it humidified with two humidifiers (4.5 gallons each) and my Phals love that and my own body appreciates it as well. But the air is stagnant in the winter, and I have to be so careful of crown rot. The root rot I never have to worry about because I developed this potting technique where my Phals are rooted in transparent glass floral stones in wire baskets. That's it, no organic material whatsoever. Because of the transparancy of the glass and the wire basket, the roots have light exposure (roots photosynthesize on orchids). Plus they have completely open airflow, and 100% drainage in a matter of seconds. Obviously I have to water/fertilize every other day like this, and it's higher maintanance. But also it's more akin to the natural habitat of Phals who are accostumed to freequent rainfall, but also enjoy the ability to dry out shortly after the rain from the breeze. The only thing I need to get nailed down now is the air circulation around the room.
Douglas
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Pelletized fertilization
