My First Phal!

[chucknora]

So I went to Publix today for dinner supplies, and couldn't help myself! I grabbed up a purple speckled Phal, and named her Ashland.

The wrapping around the pot had standing water, so I took it off, but the pot is clear, so I probably need to put her in terra cotta? However, the roots are all over the place, so a bigger pot?

Pictures are attached, comments and suggestions are welcome!

[cbuchman]

Beautiful selection! It looks healthy. Remeber that orchids are epiphytic (roots in the air); so all the roots running all over the place are a good thing!

I'd live it in the plastic pot so that you can keep an eye on the roots. For aesthetics, you can put the plastic pot in a clay pot (or other decorative pot), just make sure it has a hole and there is never any standing water!

Phals doesn't like to fully dry out, so you should keep the medium moist and not let it get bone dry (and if it does, just water it copiously). And remember to fertilize at 1/2 to 1/4 strength at each watering. Then about every 4th watering, run plain water through it to wash out any accumulated salts.

Now sit back and ENJOY!

[Silje]

Looks great! I agree with Carrie. Just keep in that pot and rather put it into something more decorative, if you want to.

[chucknora]

I can wait to put it into something later, I kinda like seeing the whole thing. I just wasn't sure if it was good for the roots. But then Carrie reminded me they're epiphytic, so the sun wont bother them at all!

Thanks guys!

[JaneEyre]

Lovely blooms! Congrats!
I suggest to check out a sticky "The phal abuse ends here." It is in a beginner discussion section. Read it from the beginning. It's a good compilation of everything you ever wanted to know about phals.

[acendana114]

Looks like you got a healthy plant, congrats and enjoy!