Off-balance Palaenopsis

[Rob Clack]

[IMG][/IMG]
I've had this Phalaenopsis for 7 or 8 years and it flowers 2 or 3 times a year, but as you can see, assuming I've got the picture stuff right, it's badly off balance.

I think it's due to be repotted, but don't really know what to do to get it back into the centre of the pot. Should I just put it in a much bigger pot, or what?

Thanks
Rob

[Candice]

Rob...I am not an expert, but it looks like most of all the roots are aerial and thats what they like best, so why don't you try to mount it and let them be aerial all the time? And its actually okay for the phal to start leaning over, it helps with Crown Rot and keeps the water from sitting in the crown when you water. But I am sure someone else will post to help you out. This is my opinion and what I would do.

[cb977]

I don't see any way of taming that bad boy!
I like the suggestion Candice made about mounting it
You can put it in a basket with sphag...tie it down...and hang the basket from the side so it hangs vertically.
This pic may give you an idea of what I mean as there are a few hung in this way:

[gmdiaz]

Why's it hanging over like that?

Either the top part is too heavy and the pot is too small AND lightweight. . .then I would repot.

I usually keep each of my phals in a net pot (bark mix), tucked inside a heavy ceramic pot. But you could also put a few rocks down at the bottom of the new pot for a little extra weight.

or maybe could it also be. . .

In addition to needing a new pot, it's also reaching for the sun and tumbling out? Where do you have this growing?

What do you experts think?

[shakkai]

I'd have to say I agree. A basket sounds like a good idea for this one so that the aerial roots can stay out of the pot. I've been really wanting to try out the way Sue has done her's.... They look so much more natural, and seem to display their flowers better,

[gmdiaz]

I've wondered about hanging phals in a baskets! Seems like Rob could plant his up in a good sized basket and just let it hang over. Probably would need to seatbelt it in though. LOL

I've seen older phal plants, like Rob's, that get too tall. . .really curious about how they look like in nature?

With Age, do they tump over with the weight of their foliage or over time do they grow stronger attachments to the trees?

And how long do phals live?

[shakkai]

Gwen, from the photos that I've seen many grow pendulous, hanging and growing downwards. The roots just keep attaching it to the tree along the way.

But, I've no idea what the average lifespan is....

[gmdiaz]

So maybe, we ought to be planning for this in our potting strategies? As they get older, they're gonna eventually need to let it hang.

This is NO joke, people. . .as anyone over 45 will tell ya.

Gonna do a quick google. . .on lifespans.

[Rob Clack]

This is really great! When Candice said to mount it, I wasn't really sure what she meant, but all the photos and discussion have clarified that. I'm quite fired up about the idea of turning it from a pot plant into an epiphyte!

[gmdiaz]

Call of the WILD! Boom Chaka Lucka!