Multiple Phals in one pot?

[jasonadair]

I've got three Phals that I am tempted to put together in one hanging pot.. Are there any benefits or downfalls to this idea? I figure that as long as the pot is big enough to comfortably hold all three, without any problems. But what do I know?!
Also, what are some preferred media for Phals, they will be grown in S. Florida outside...
Thanks!
-Jason

[Wynter010Beauty]

One thing you have to worry about with putting multiple plants in the same pot/water supply/etc. is that they are more prone to acquiring disease if one of the plants is diseased/virused. I wanted put 2 of my phals in the same pot at one point and then I read on here how it could be detrimental and chose not to. I currently grow in S/H and I live in Pennsylvania. It's quite dry up here so I'm looking into either a humidity tray or seedling mat. But I'm sure you don't have that problem down there. Before S/H, mine were grown in a bark mix (had bark, perlite and sphagnum moss) that was pre-wet in the bag. I got it at Lowe's and within a week of re-potting, I acquired fungus gnats. I then immediately switched to S/H and doing well ever since.

[jasonadair]

sorry for being a newbie! what do you mean when you say S/H ?

[Ray]

Semi-Hydroponics

[Eyebabe]

My phals in s/h are doing awesome!
Now maybe phal won't equal fail for me anymore

[stefpix]

if they are cheap NOIDs what's wrong trying? Regarding viruses, couln't air movement contaminate plants even if they are in different pots? After all in nature plants grow together. Maybe one will grow larger andfaster but you will provide water and nutrients on a regular basis... Probably i would not try with expensive/ "special" plants but if you have some cheap ones could be a nice thing to go for

[Izzie]

My first orchid that I got three or so years ago, is actually a compot (community pot) with three plants in it. They are all thriving, and are among the healthiest in my collection.

I agree with stefpix- they grow together in the wild, but if I had a really special plant, I would not put it together with other ones. Cheap NO-IDs, I'm fine with planting together for the most part.

[jasonadair]

thanks for the info!
the Phals that i have are'nt as special to me as the other varieties. Maybe i'll give it a go and see what happens...
one problem I think i'm having with my Phals is watering. they always seem under watered and some of the leafs look "dry" i guess. two of the three Phals have roots shooting everywhere and i know it's time to re-pot them. has anyone ever tried an orchid bark mix in one of the wooden open orchid type pots? i was thinking of topping the orchid bark with Sphag moss or something to keep some of the moisture available to the chids.. and with the open air wood baskets air supply doesn't seem like much of a problem and would tend to keep it from getting stagnant and rotting? correct me if my thought processes are off.
p.s. this forum is already helping
-Jason