Phals in sphag

[Cavs n' Orchids]

I usually go for the plain dollarama ones (way cheaper than Canadian Tire, but Ive found if it has a glaze on the outside it doesnt get any gross build up of algae or anything. As far as potting mix goes they all seem happy with anything as long as its really loose, except for some of my species phals. My violaceas like sphag better. I actually bought a bag of shredded cedar bark from a landscaping greenhouse and even though its supposed to be an outdoor mulch, I use it for all my cattleyas now, and its great! Doesnt hold as much moisture as sphag, but better than coarse bark, and lots of airflow. My hybrid phals have done well in it too.

[tucker85]

A couple of things I've discovered with phals in sphagnum. It's very important to use the smallest pot that will accommodate the roots. If you need to use a pot over 4 inches, place a small net pot upside down in the bottom of the pot to get air into the center of the sphagnum. I let my sphagnum dry out completely but when the surface is dry (a couple days after watering) I start misting the plant each morning.

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Originally Posted by tucker85

A couple of things I've discovered with phals in sphagnum. It's very important to use the smallest pot that will accommodate the roots. If you need to use a pot over 4 inches, place a small net pot upside down in the bottom of the pot to get air into the center of the sphagnum. I let my sphagnum dry out completely but when the surface is dry (a couple days after watering) I start misting the plant each morning.

That's a neat idea with net pot. Thank you Tucker85. I have been using packing peanuts, but net pots should be much better and I have some that are just the right size. Are your phals in plastic pots or clay?

[Bud]

I always repot new phals to see how the roots are and I find that sphag is tightly crammed on the roots annd its hard to really get them off especially if its an established plant...but I patiently clean the roots in order for it to breathe freely and then repot it on charcoal, coco chips, hydroton and sponge rock.
I have never mastered the art of phals on sphag routine...I notice that the surface is dry yet the inned part is wet and root rot is lurking...I am more comfy with my mixed media; and I know that if the surface is dry then its time to water

[Orchidreamer]

I've about killed every phal potted in sphag. Recently, I bought a phal that doesn't have many roots, but it does have enough roots to sustain itself and keep its leaves nice and firm. It was originally potted in sphag so I thought I'd repot it in sphag again. This time, instead of repotting into a pot, I placed it in a basket. This way, the sphag dries really evenly and I can easily assess the dryness of the moss. The phal seems happy, since it's putting out new leaves and roots.

My other phals are potted in bark or LECA.

[Cavs n' Orchids]

Originally Posted by Bud

..but I patiently clean the roots in order for it to breathe freely and then repot it on charcoal, coco chips, hydroton and sponge rock.

Thats a fantastic mix! If I could get hydroton here or any other aggregates I would absolutely use them for phals and catts, but I dont feel like paying for shipping, and none of our garden centres sell them.

[Bud]

get a hammer and pieces from your broken clay pots...put them inside a plastic bag and hammer away till you get your desired size. hydroton has a certain porous properties as the clay pots...Canadian growers sell LECA for S/H method. I am sure you can get hydroton(LECA) from them

[tucker85]

Orchideya, I have some in clear plastic pots with slots on the sides and some in net pots. I don't use sphagnum in pots over 4" anymore but used to. If a pot is over 4" I use an upside down net pot in the bottom no matter what the pot is made of or what mixture I'm using. I've started using a mixture of coconut husk chips, sponge rock and charcoal in my larger pots (with the net pot in the middle). I do have a unique situation though because I grow outdoors in hot, humid south Florida.

[tucker85]

These are 5" pots. Usually the biggest I go to with phals. Notice the clear pot has lots of slots in it and a raised bottom. The little upsidedown net pot is like the one inside each of these pots. I mist them almost every morning unless I've just watered them. I feel the clear plastic would be better for most people because they can fit inside a decrotive ceramic pot for display. Remember though, I live in a sub-tropical area and these are grown outdoors on a covered porch.

[tucker85]

One thing I forgot. I repot all phals once a year. They are very sensitive to fertilizer salt buildup in the medium.