Growing Phals (or other orchids) in a Saucer

[eorchids]

As requested.
First of all, clay saucers are better than plastic ones. They dry quickly, they are more stable and it's easier for watering (I put them in a bath for 2 to 15 minutes if the moss is very dry).

Usually, I drill 4 or 5 holes (4 for the bonds - 1 also used for fixation- or 1 more for the fixation) depending on my mood. You just have to put a little water in the saucer, to use a tile drill and to be careful and gentle. Good luck if you try !

For mounting, I put a layer of sphagnum (like a dome) in the bottom of the saucer, then the plant which is attached with bonds. Finally, I press wet sphagnum over the roots and... miracle... the sphagnum doesn't fall out ! Then, the roots develop and fix the mounting. Sometimes, when the sphagnum is too dry, some pieces may fall out.

This photo showed is my first saucer (cracked !). Now, I'm a pro !



Here are some photo of orchids in saucers. It's possible to grow large Phals, such as hieroglyphica or lueddemanniana, but also Brassavola, Cattleya, Dendrobium... I really like saucers, the look of the orchid is very natural.

Brassavola perrinii (in a saucer since 3 years)



The same flowering this summer :

[eorchids]

Leptotes bicolor



Laelia gouldiana

[eorchids]

Phal. stuartiana

[cdayinflorida]

Gosh I am LOVING the saucers!! I can see me growing some of my platyceriums in some that are a tad larger. I love this idea.
Your photos are outstanding...beautiful, well grown plants.

[Daethen]

Really awesome idea. I will be using this one. GREAT growing.

[cakedaddy]

Those are beautiful! I think I will try this as well. Thanks for the info!
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[catttan]

Novel idea. Must try this out.

[paphioboy]

Interesting idea and the plants seem to respond well. I have been using shallow clay pots for phals, suspended with a single wire (tilted at an angle), so it is similar to this, but the pots are a bit deeper than the saucers you use.

[wetfeet101b]

Thanks for sharing this Eric.
They really look great. I will try them out when I make some new orchid divisions.

[angela]

Thanks for sharing. Makes good sense, I will also be giving it a try with some Phals.
Good growing and Photography.
Thanks again.