Growing phal in sphagnum moss

[opulenceflowers]

I grow my phal orchids in spagnum moss (which I bought them in). I have read that it has a very long shelf live, but how do i determine if I need to replace my sphagnum moss with new? The Phals are also supplied in a 100mm diam pot. When do I need to repot it to a bigger pot. They have never lifted themselves out like a cymbidium but still produce new leaves? Lastly I noticed in one instance that a view roots on perimter of 1 plant went black and died - is this natural or is is wrot due to overwatering?

[nenella]

Hi & Welcome to the OB!
Where in SA do you live? as it's a huge country and your climate varies.
Also, how long have you had your plant? If the roots went black & died it is very probable that they rotted..
Can you post a photo of the plant & roots?

[Samheartsorchids]

Hello Welcome to the OB!
If you can, post some pictures of the plant and its roots to give us a better understanding of just what is going on.....

I personally like to grow my Phals in Fir bark, because the moss tends to stay too moist and makes it easy to overwater .....

Remember to post some pictures

[Blueszz]

It could be to overwatering, or a broken root that started to rot.
I've no experience with growing Phal's in moss, but what've read is that you need to change the medium about every year as it decomposes very fast.

Is your plant in a translucent pot? Showing a picture makes it easier for us to diagnose a problem (of their is a problem).

Nicole

[SheilaJ]

I would disagree that sphagnum has a long shelf life. I believe it should be changed about once a year.

If you bought your orchids in spagh and haven't taken them out of the pot yet, it's really hard to tell what's going on. The sphag could have been new or old when you bought it, plus some growers cram so much in there that the roots are bound to rot and other's don't.

I suggest you unpot and look at the roots to see if there is rotting going on, and if so, give them some fresh sphag.

Do you grow indoors or outside?

[Lagoon]

I would say even before the year ends it should be potted up in fresh media. Who knows how long the growers had it in that media to begin with.

I agree, its time for a good root check.

[justatypn]

If and when I get mine in sphag I repot as soon as I can, love to see what those legs/feet are doin' under the blanket of sphag, you just never know the previous environment and could have some tag-a-longs (unwanted critters) in tow. I have never had luck with growing in sphag so to those who do, makes me jealous, would make up for those "oh I forgot to water days".

[boytjie]

I started growing my species Phals and hybrids in sphag two years ago, and haven't looked back. I think the trick is to let it get dry to the point that it feels almost "crunchy" before you water it again. I've also been mixing in something to help keep the moss from compacting. For Phals, I've found pine bark works really well. For Bulbos, I've been using tree fern fiber, and the plants have been going nuts with new growth.

Hope that helps! By the way, where in SA are you? I lived in Cape Town for 12 years, and really miss it.

[opulenceflowers]

Thank you for the advice. I am based in Cape town in South Africa.

Regards
Roelof

[learning2letgo]

Yes, I would definitely have to agree with the others. Repot your orchids and I don't suggest reusing the sphagnum moss unless you feel comfortable with how to water them. Most nurseries wrap their plants in sphagnum during shipping to prevent the roots from drying out and it sometimes leads to root rot.... They stay saturated for too long after the plant has arrived at its intended destination...

I pot all of my orchids (phals, dendros, epidendrums and oncidium) in a mix of fir bark, medium coconut husks, charcoal and crumbled packing peanuts (used for mailing purposes).... I find that this provides a very adequate drainage for the plants and they all seem to tolerate the mix quite well Best of luck!