Phalaenopsis amabilis hybrids - care and root zone moisture.

[Roberta]

I don't grow that many Phals... some hybrids "followed me home" and seem to do fine in medium bark (rather generic, really don't care much about the fine points of conditions) I think Phal schillerians is the only section Phalaenopsis species that I grow, have several, in baskets with either bark (larger ones) or sphag (smaller ones) The rest are section Polychilos (cornu-cervi, hieroglyphica, mannii, pulchra, speciosa, tetraspis), are either in baskets or mounted, all the roots tend to go wherever. The ones with the wildest roots do the best. All in flimsy not-well-regulated greenhouse (so humid, watered every 2 days for about 2 minutes by sprinklers, lowest temperature around 60 F but aim for a little higher, fans running 24/7) So I don't know if this has any useful information for your very different conditions, but I do find that these Phal species seem to do better under conditions where their roots do dry out (escape from whatever medium they start in). Qualitative and undisciplined.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The rest are section Polychilos (cornu-cervi, hieroglyphica, mannii, pulchra, speciosa, tetraspis), are either in baskets or mounted, all the roots tend to go wherever. The ones with the wildest roots do the best. All in flimsy not-well-regulated greenhouse (so humid, watered every 2 days for about 2 minutes by sprinklers, lowest temperature around 60 F but aim for a little higher, fans running 24/7)

This is very helpful, Roberta. I'm always jealous of growers who can keep their Phals mounted or in baskets!

I'm doing a little bit more research, and I might experiment with letting some of these experience more of a wet/dry cycle.

Something to note that I also found interesting: today as I was cleaning the growing area I noticed 4/6 have initiated a spike, I happened to turn off the heat mats on these amabilis hybrids in early June. Plus, one that has been in spike for about two-three months, buds are slowly approaching maturity. The last one is just hanging out, but maybe seeing its sisters in bloom will inspire her.