In case anyone is interested (mini phal potting experiment)

[butterfly_muse]

Afternoon, all!

While I was out today, I picked up a mini phal that was on clearance for $3. Its roots are good, healthy and nice and green...but it came in one of those tall ornamental pots and it was potted directly into that. No bueno!

So while sitting in Panera Bread for lunch this afternoon, I decided to steal one of their free (is it still stealing if it's free?) small 9 oz water cups to use as a pot for the new guy. I figured hey, it can't hurt, right? And it's basically the smallest clear thing I can get my hands on (without ruining tupperware).

I brought it home, got a screw and screwdriver, put 9 holes in it, and potted my new guy in a mix of sphag and bark (I just repotted everyone in a mix like this, as watering them 2x a week still isn't keeping them moist enough. I have lost a lot of roots since it got hot).

I posted some pics, and figured I can let you know if it works. Granted, he's still a little overpotted, but I'm hoping it works. And if anyone has a mini orchid that they need to repot, you may have luck with a free cup from Panera Bread. :P

[Pati/orchid newbie]

Great idea! I was wondering where I could pick up some clear pots! I too picked up a mini phal on clearance, but there are 2 plants together in the decorative pot- one is flowering and the other is growing a shoot off the old spike that I trimmed back. I want to separate them when the flowering is done, and will keep your idea in mind. Good luck and keep us posted.....the leaves look really healthy!

[butterfly_muse]

It is overall pretty healthy. The mechanical damage is sort of ugly, the the leaves and roots are in great shape. I stood there in the store and pulled all the moss it was in apart to have a look. People thought I was crazy but it's a clearance plant, so what? Lol. It was just dried out and had an old bloom spike that was no longer good, all it needs is some TLC. I hope it enjoys the Panera cup, haha. I'll def let you know.

[tucker85]

Good idea. Let us know how it works.

[Leafmite]

That is a cute idea!

[butterfly_muse]

Thank you! I hope he's not too severely overpotted in that. The ornamental pot was about the same size but it was more narrow at the bottom. *crossfingers*

[james mickelso]

The pot size is just right says the papa bear. Your mix is fairly coarse so that is a plus. The more coarse the better I say. You can water more and fertilize more without inviting root rot. As for clear.....I think that is blown way out of proportion but each to their own. Pot/plant weight is a better way to judge whether to water or not and very easy to learn. This ios a nice plant. Looks pretty healthy and I love experiments. You go girl.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

The pot size is just right says the papa bear. Your mix is fairly coarse so that is a plus. The more coarse the better I say. You can water more and fertilize more without inviting root rot. As for clear.....I think that is blown way out of proportion but each to their own. Pot/plant weight is a better way to judge whether to water or not and very easy to learn. This ios a nice plant. Looks pretty healthy and I love experiments. You go girl.

Thanks! I more chose clear for photosynthesis of the roots than anything else. My windows get a lot of nice, bright light, so anything to make these guys happy is a plus for me.

[Skayc1]

cool Idea! I like to see the roots!

[james mickelso]

I may get an argument going here but roots get green not because of photosynthesizing but because of algae and moss. The spongy velamin is not a photosynthesizing material.