Phal Leaf Drop

[herfy]

I think just the opposite..Phals are a pain and very wimpy compared to Catts..But that is just me, and my conditions.Then again I can't grow anything in bark so,the problem maybe just me.

[Erce]

i have phal i both bark and spag - the spag-chids get water like once every 2 weeks and my chids in bark get water 2-3 times a week, so im in for the spag! I use plastic pots where i made large holes in the sides for more airflow - this works ´well for me! On the other side i keep killing my dens

[stefpix]

rice hulls soud interesting esp for small plants -
i guess you can get them in a rural area where rice is grown but not in a city.

i started with closeout phals for a dollar each.
i find that those from teh big stores can be temperamental - even if they have good roots they may go downhill.
wonder if they are forced to bloom at odd times.
so some thrive some die.
i have a couple that are spiking that i got in july after they bloomed.
one that was almost dead i thought hopelessly...
well i threw it flat in one of those jiffy seedling boxes with some random soil and put it on a shelf in deep shade - today i opened as i was cleaning up
i had forgotten about it
and is growing 2 new leaves and a new root. the old leaves are yellow and dry but the new leaves seem ok.
i feel just bark for phals is a bit too dry for my conditions - I started using coco fiber that comes in a brick. seems cleaner than bark - gets wet but dries fast.
misx it with a bit of perlite and hydroton.

I have a phal bastianii and a phal equestris - they seem to grow faster and better than anything i got at lowes

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by stefpix

rice hulls soud interesting esp for small plants -
i guess you can get them in a rural area where rice is grown but not in a city.

i started with closeout phals for a dollar each.
i find that those from teh big stores can be temperamental - even if they have good roots they may go downhill.
wonder if they are forced to bloom at odd times.
so some thrive some die.
i have a couple that are spiking that i got in july after they bloomed.
one that was almost dead i thought hopelessly...
well i threw it flat in one of those jiffy seedling boxes with some random soil and put it on a shelf in deep shade - today i opened as i was cleaning up
i had forgotten about it
and is growing 2 new leaves and a new root. the old leaves are yellow and dry but the new leaves seem ok.
i feel just bark for phals is a bit too dry for my conditions - I started using coco fiber that comes in a brick. seems cleaner than bark - gets wet but dries fast.
misx it with a bit of perlite and hydroton.

I have a phal bastianii and a phal equestris - they seem to grow faster and better than anything i got at lowes

Funny you observed how the "big box stores" carry Phals that may be forced to bloom at odd times.

And the resounding answer is...yes they are!

I know for a fact they are because I used to work for a nursery.

So if you're ever wondering, no you're not imagining things Stefano. You're very right.

[stefpix]

well i was sure about that
what i was implicitly wondering is if forcing a Phal to bloom at odd times may weaken the plant and sometimes affect its survival chances in a home.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by stefpix

well i was sure about that
what i was implicitly wondering is if forcing a Phal to bloom at odd times may weaken the plant and sometimes affect its survival chances in a home.

It's never been tested. But just based on an assumption, I'd say it's highly probable.

[Erce]

airflow is the key, i have 2 pc-fans going 24/7 in my sill, and it helps A LOT

[bodaciousbonsai]

Yes my brother you are excatly right! air flow is deffiantly a huge way to ward off the nasty things that attack orchids. I my self have never had a problem with fungal or any other thing for that matter. I also use 12 volt cpu fans thay are great for us orchid growers. Cheap to run to

[stefpix]

how do you power those fans?