Too much moisture??

[MayA83]

This question I'm sure has come up before, but I can't find it anywhere...

So here it goes...
I have my phalaenopsis in see-trough plastic pots, and decorative pots to cover them. In the bottom of the decorative pots I have a layer of LECA, about 2 cm, almost covered with water.
Is this too much? Will I have trouble with the roots and compost never dry up?

Thanks if you can help me...

[Royal]

People who grow in s/h have at least that much water in their reserviors at the bottom of the s/h pots. I doubt it would cause huge problems, and the new roots may even grow into the water! If there are older roots down there, I'd avoid keeping them too wet, as they might be used to a different environment and suffer.

A couple of questions:

The term compost has me wondering. Could you describe the media?

And, why not just keep the water level just below the LECA? No wet feet, and the same humidifying effect.

[MayA83]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

A couple of questions:

The term compost has me wondering. Could you describe the media?

And, why not just keep the water level just below the LECA? No wet feet, and the same humidifying effect.

You must excuse my english, it's not like I write very much english in the daily-life....
By compost I mean media, in Norway it's called "Kompost". The media I use, is a mix of bark and coconut husk.

The waterlevel is just below the LECA.
But I'm afraid that the media never will dry up enough. It's alway moisture on the inside of the plastic pot...

[Royal]

Originally Posted by MayA83

You must excuse my english, it's not like I write very much english in the daily-life....
By compost I mean media, in Norway it's called "Kompost". The media I use, is a mix of bark and coconut husk.

The waterlevel is just below the LECA.
But I'm afraid that the media never will dry up enough. It's alway moisture on the inside of the plastic pot...

OK, sometimes here in the US, orchids are sold growing in a medium that looks like regular potting soil! I don't know why they do this, because it is certain death for most.

If it's not drying out, I'd remove it from the decorative pot or find one that allows for air flow. Or, just remove the LECA and water. Or, switch to s/h if you like the LECA.

[Lene Th.]

Heisan, MayA83
Morro å se andre fra Norge her!

Over to youre question.
If youre media is to moist, i would remove the water from the outer pot, and just leave the leca. This will alowe air to pass to the roots.
If youre chid has been in the same medium for a long time, or if the medium is decomposing, i would consider to repot into some fresh medium.

If youre trying to encrease the humidity, you can use some sphagnum-moss to cover the top of the pot, keeping it moist, not wet. Be carefull not to pack the moss, just sprinkle it loosly around air-roots and the uncovered roots. You will aslo higher the humidity by placing the plants together.

Hope this helps!

[MayA83]

Hei Lene!
Ja d var moro å se andre frå Norge her, tror jeg såg du var på "Fettbladet" også.. har nylig begynt inne der også. Men der var det lite aktivitet gitt....

I think I'll go for a walk in the mountains today, to look for sphagnum-moss...
I re-potted two of my phals a few days ago, and another has finished blooming now, so now it's that one's turn. I like to re-pot when they have finished blooming, so that I can check it's roots...
I think I have to experiment a bit with this LECA, maybe I don't have to keep the LECA moist, if I find some sphagnum and put that on the top...

It's not that I have to use LECA, but I'm worried about the humidity.... I'll try to experiment a bit....

[priz_m]

Hello May! Welcome to the OB!

Personally I use LECA at the bottom of the plastic pot and some marbles/pebbles at the bottom of the decorative pot. The only water that sets there is any excess left from watering, so far they seem t be doing fine and the media seems to dry out between waterings. Just my :bigrin:

And just like Lene I do leave a layer of moss on top of the meida to keep it moist.

I would repot to check on 2 thigns, if the media is soggy from decomposing and if the root system has not been affected (assuming is been left wet for a long time).

Is there any chance we can get a before/after pic?

keep us posted

[MayA83]

Now I've been in the mountains, and finally found sphagnum-moss.
Sphagnum on top, still water in bottom of decorativ pots. But tomorrow the water goes away... Think that's the option that makes most sence to me.
And if I have enough time, I'll also repot my phal that just lost the last flower. Think maybe the media is decomposing, and will check all this then.
I hope will come tomorrow... but can't make any promisses.

But now I will find my bed, I have to me up and of to work in 6 hours... Good night everyone!!

[priz_m]

Nighty Night! :

[MayA83]

Here it goes, my first photos of my orchid


Roots seems fine, I cut of just a few...


After repotting


Back in the window it came