Phalaenopsis Gigantea - specialized care?!

[Roberta]

I would not grow any Phal outside except in summer. And this summer, not even most of that. I don't grow Phal gigantea, but Phals in general aren't happy with consistent night temperatures below about 65 deg F. They'll tolerate a little bit lower occasionally. (Where I live, that didn't happen until around mid-July) Winter? For sure no. So plan on growing this one indoors. Don't stress about humidity... just don't neglect to water. If the medium is open and free-draining, you can't over-water.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

So plan on growing this one indoors. Don't stress about humidity... just don't neglect to water. If the medium is open and free-draining, you can't over-water.

Thanks to everyone for the info! I will follow your leads.

As far as this particular statement, that you can't overwater with the right medium... Is this true specifically about the P. Gigantea, or with Orchids in general?

I ask because I have started using Orchiata small pine bark, and I notice that it is as you stated, open and free-draining.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

As far as this particular statement, that you can't overwater with the right medium... Is this true specifically about the P. Gigantea, or with Orchids in general?

I ask because I have started using Orchiata small pine bark, and I notice that it is as you stated, open and free-draining.

Orchids in general. Epiphytic orchids want "humid air" around their roots. When you water freely, and the water runs through the pot, it pulls fresh air into the root zone. The bark chunks have surface area to hold moisture, and spaces between them that contain air.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Orchids in general. Epiphytic orchids want "humid air" around their roots. When you water freely, and the water runs through the pot, it pulls fresh air into the root zone. The bark chunks have surface area to hold moisture, and spaces between them that contain air.

Oh, do you mean that one cannot overwater in a single watering? Sorry, I think I misinterpreted!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Oh, do you mean that one cannot overwater in a single watering? Sorry, I think I misinterpreted!

You can't overwater by watering frequently if you have a well-draining medium. Especially in warm weather, if you have an open mix, the plants dry out quickly. So if you water every day or every other day, you are not over-watering because the water does not accumulate. With broken down medium, it stays wet and the water crowds out the air. But with fresh, open medium that doesn't happen. This is why people, in fear of overwatering, instead often underwater after repotting. Ray, who posts on the Board often, says it best... orchids don't suffer from too much water, but rather from not enough air. If the medium has only small air space (like soil, sand, or rotten mx), then water crowds out the air. But if it is open and free-draining, you maintain plenty of air in the root zone no matter how much, or how often, you water.