Low light Phalaenopsis

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

It also looks like it's potted a bit too high; you'll want to pot it so that the junction between leaves and roots is about 1/4" or so below the surface of the mix. Otherwise the new roots will dry out before they hit the medium, and stop growing.

That's good to know, I think some of mine are too high then. They were high when I bought them but I didn't like to put them too low and risk rot at the base. One of them has the top of the roots visible so is definately too high.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by RosieC

That's good to know, I think some of mine are too high then. They were high when I bought them but I didn't like to put them too low and risk rot at the base. One of them has the top of the roots visible so is definately too high.

For some reason, you often see Paphs for sale that are potted too high. Perhaps in greenhouses the humidity is high enough that the roots still develop okay, but in the average home they will just dry out if they're exposed to open, dry air. You do have to be careful not to pot them too deep as well, about 1/4" as I said should do it.

[weez1959]

the paph is in a 4 1/4" pot already.
I have a few pot coming..
which do you suggest?

Size: 2.75 x 2.75 x 4.2 H Inches



3 1/4"



3"

[slipperfreak]

THAT is a 4" pot? Wow, the plant must not be as big as it looks. You will probably need to unpot it first and see how big the root system is before you decide what size pot to use. The roots should fit snuggly in the pot; i.e. they touch the walls. I wouldn't recommend using ceramic or clay pots; plastic is best. I like the clear plastic ones so you can see how the roots are doing. If you want to have decorative pots, it's better to slip the plastic pots inside them, and make sure water doesn't pool in the bottom.

[weez1959]

ya, it's not very big. I guess I'll use a cache pot on that one!

I flipped it and slipped off the pot, no visible roots, potted in just peat moss and a few large foam peanuts in the bottom. And I found a centipede which I flushed down the drain!!

[josterha]

Louise,

Your flowers may fade pretty soon especially if the humidity in your home is not enhanced. I imagine Québec in January is not terribly humid. The colder it gets, the harder it is to keep ambient humidity. Your table looks like it has more-or-less southern exposure. Jerry is right that it is impossible to guess the light intensity coming through glass. Keep an eye on your leaves. If they start to blanche or become yellow-ish green, they are getting too much light. Plants in flower are pretty forgiving about low light (it may even prolong the blooming time). It is only when the plant is trying to grow new tissue that light is really crucial. I hope this helps.

Good luck!

John

[slipperfreak]

Yuck, peat moss is no good for a Paph. Hopefully it hasn't lost a ton of roots. You'll want to pot it in a fine bark mix. I like to put a little peat in there too, but pure peat is no good!

[weez1959]

Originally Posted by josterha

Louise,

Your flowers may fade pretty soon especially if the humidity in your home is not enhanced. I imagine Québec in January is not terribly humid. The colder it gets, the harder it is to keep ambient humidity. Your table looks like it has more-or-less southern exposure. Jerry is right that it is impossible to guess the light intensity coming through glass. Keep an eye on your leaves. If they start to blanche or become yellow-ish green, they are getting too much light. Plants in flower are pretty forgiving about low light (it may even prolong the blooming time). It is only when the plant is trying to grow new tissue that light is really crucial. I hope this helps.

Good luck!

John

Hi John,
My humidity is staying around 55-60 right about now so it's not too bad, I think My first orchid has been fine in this humidity so hopefully this will keep up....

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

Yuck, peat moss is no good for a Paph. Hopefully it hasn't lost a ton of roots. You'll want to pot it in a fine bark mix. I like to put a little peat in there too, but pure peat is no good!

As soon as my stuff arrives I will transplant, not happy finding a centipede in there

[slipperfreak]

Well centipedes aren't harmful to the plants or anything, just nasty.

[Hedge]

Nice plants, Louise!

I too have phals that look like your three, again all NoIDs. I like the mini one especially. Mine has just come back into flower after about a year's care, it was on its last legs in a tiny pot of very wet sphagnum moss when I got it. I agree with Rosie and Slipperfreak about repotting - it is often a good idea.

Good growing and good luck!