Growing Phals (or other orchids) in a Saucer

[Daethen]

I put quite a big mound of it under the roots, but I will add more around the edges if it dries out too fast. Thanks for the critique.

[Kmac]

What a cool idea! I will have to try this...thanks for sharing!

[eorchids]

I posted pics of this on a couple of other forums and it is catching on quick.

Could you give me the link to this forums ? I am interested to read the reactions.

[cakedaddy]

I am trying this out as well as I had some plants that needed to be moved into new housing and the saucer trick is such a spacesaver. I am giving it a go with the scaphosepalum, a restrepia, and two sad bulbos.
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[ang709]

I would like to try this, but I am wondering, what happens when the moss breaks down and needs replaced? I would be afraid of disturbing all those beautiful roots. Your orchids look very happy.

[Daethen]

Well, since orchids don't need medium in the wild, I would assume that it wouldn't matter if it broke down. And you could always add some to the top. Clay holds moisture pretty well on it's own. My two cents.

[eorchids]

I am giving it a go with the scaphosepalum, a restrepia, and two sad bulbos.

It's a good idea. I rescued several Phals that were "sad" in their pot by growing them in a saucer.

I would assume that it wouldn't matter if it broke down. And you could always add some to the top. Clay holds moisture pretty well on it's own. My two cents.

This answer is perfect.

[EMos]

Thanks Eric for sharing your fantastic ideas and techniques with us. I'll definitely try the saucer method with some of my phals and nobile dendrobiums; I was looking to mount them and could not find a proper mount, so I think the saucer is a clever alternative

[Daethen]

Glad that my answer was correct. After leaving it I thought "Now that's the way to talk out of turn!"

[eorchids]

Thanks Eric...

Thanks Eric.