Growing a Phal. with the pot on it's side?

[susiep]

Here is one that was almost dead at one point. It had NO roots, so I put it in a tree fern pot with a little moss. Finally, it grew roots and I pulled out the moss. As it grew, I turned the pot side ways. Now it is very happy.

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by susiep

Here is one that was almost dead at one point. It had NO roots, so I put it in a tree fern pot with a little moss. Finally, it grew roots and I pulled out the moss. As it grew, I turned the pot side ways. Now it is very happy.

Hi Susan! What kind of little "pot" is this in now? I've never seen one like this! Tell me more if you can : )

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I don't know if this helps as I'm not planting the phal in a pot on its side, however, as you can see from the photos, I purposefully plant the phal on its side. I have found my plants to be much more pleasing to the eye this way when out of flower and they seem to grow just as well, if not better. I rarely see roots growing on plants that grow like this because they go immediately for the hydroton instead of wandering around the air looking for something to hold on to.



Here is another view. The plant is spiking right now (one old one and two new ones growing) and planting it this way makes it really easy to find those spikes as they grow right out from the stem and they don't bump into any leaves.



So I don't know if that gives you any ideas... the pot is still upright but until the plant grows spikes, it isn't much above the pot. It will, however, take up a lot of space laterally.

I also have phals growing like the one below. I use sphag moss only-- no bark-- because of my very dry climate. The moss stays hydrated for 2-3 days before needing another soaking. I only recently did this, so no word yet on whether or not it'll be a success.

Ryan, I just have to say that your orchids are beautiful! I really need to try hydroton. Do you buy yours locally or online? What type do you use and what is your process of starting a phal in it? Thanks!

[susiep]

I think the stuff we refer to as "Tree Fern" is really the dried out roots of a plant called a Fern Tree. It has fallen out of favor over the years beause of the over harvesting of the plant. So it has become more expensive as it is only coming from sustainable forests now. I have been growing orchids since the 70's so I have grown to love it. It is great for south Florida as it doesn't rot like most wood nor hold a lot of water.

[Lady Tottington]

Thanks for the explanation Susan! Now I get it! )))

[Becca]

Originally Posted by susiep

Here is one that was almost dead at one point. It had NO roots, so I put it in a tree fern pot with a little moss. Finally, it grew roots and I pulled out the moss. As it grew, I turned the pot side ways. Now it is very happy.

Hi Susie! I know you live in Florida and have more humid growing conditions then some of us, but I'm just curious how often you water this phal that is in the tree fern pot?

[susiep]

Hey, Becca! I am not watering as much lately because of the cooler temps, but usually I water everything daily or every other day. That particular tree fern pot is very porus and doesn't have any media in it. So it could be watered daily. I have other thicker tree fern pots that have media in them (and different kinds of orchids) that are more like the watering schedule of a clay pot, 1-2 times per week.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by aalina387

LED grow light is the best idea for indoor gardening.Led lights produce less heat and also energy efficient.

Um, what does lighting (let alone LEDs) have to do with potting a phal on it's side?

[Call_Me_Bob]

It's spam. I got that on another thread I'm subscribed to as well.


You can call me Bob

[camille1585]

That's what I figured too when I saw the other threads by this person.