Phal has limp leaves + this fir bark SUCKS!

[Ray]

There is another potential aspect - that of root incompatability with the straight-bark medium.

If the roots were in a set of significantly-different medium conditions, then they had grown optimized for those conditions; moving them into an entirely different set of conditions may render them "suboptimal" for supporting the plant.

If that's the case, you'll have to go to extra lengths to pamaper it until it grows new roots that are optimized for the new medium.

[RandomGemini]

I'm having this exact issue. Would applying a layer of moss to the top of the pot, without having any mixed in with the bark, help hold in moisture a bit better?

I just repotted a couple of my phals, not knowing that the bark wouldn't hold the moisture as well as I would like it to and I'd rather not repot them again if I don't have to. Next time, I repot, I'll do it in a mix of moss and bark. I've seen rot in the store bought orchids we've purchased packed in moss, so I think a mix of moss and bark might be a good fit for where I am too (opposite side of the state from the original poster actually!).

[Cym Ladye]

If the plant were mine I would do the following:

1) remove the spike
2) be sure all the roots are in the pot
3) add more bark of a little smaller size to reach the bottom of the first leaf.

Your roots are trying to grow but with a lack of humidity are having a tough go of it and not enough moisture is reaching the leaves. Covering them with bark should help them get established in the media.

Cym Ladye

[Leafmite]

I agree with Cym Ladye. Also, when you water, let the pot soak in water for a few minutes to give the roots a chance to absorb enough water to keep the plant hydrated. Good luck!

[floranewb206]

I usually take it to the sink and use 2 of the tall skinny gatorade bottles to pour in, and when it's just at like one drip per second through the clear container I put it back in it's spot.

I'll try Ray's suggestion : ) and I live in Seattle, it's hot this summer, but rarely like this so shouldnt be dry from my location. It came in a different bark/moss mix from the store.

[WhiteRabbit]

I recently repotted a Phal into bark I hadn't soaked much ahead of time - I have been soaking the pot most days for 1-2 hours - still has been bone dry most every day, tho it seems to finally be holding some moisture. The cooler weather today has also probably helped some ...

[james mickelso]

Phals grow on the sides of trees and limbs in their natural habitats without any media. It's not necessary to water the bark until it is soaked. You are watering the roots, not the bark. If the roots are dry then water more often. This bark is rather large for this size plant anyway. A smaller size bark would be better. If you want the roots to stay wetter then add some sphagnum moss to the media. If you've seen orchids mounted then it is apparent that they don't need to have wet media. I never soak my media before using it. My orchids grow just fine. You water the roots. Not the media. Water until the roots turn a darker green or silver green. That will take some time for those roots which have grown above the media but as they age they will absorb more and more water.

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 PM ----------

Take Cym's advice.

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

I grow in bark, lava rock, moss, a mixture of all and mounted. All of my phals grow the same. When watered well but allowed to dry out between waterings, they grow and flower nicely. The media doesn't matter. Watering to wet the roots does.