could i be on the right path?

[Harvy Howard]

I'm new here too, and need to practice attaching a photo. My Phal amabilis Timothy Christopher is in bloom just now, so here goes.



Wheee!

[diego_p]

very beautiful orchid, where did you get it?
Is that an african violet in the background?

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------

i just had a crazy idea, could i be able to pull the phals out and grow them 'bare root' style?
i'm just nervouse and want to make sure i give them a good life.
i've read a couple of threads on here about people having their orchids out and over a cup or in a fish bowl with a little water to maintain humidity.
thoughts?

[Harvy Howard]

That Orchid was a lucky buy, on sale at a big box store last spring. I picked it out because it had smaller flowers, and looked daintier than the others on the shelf. As with most of these bargain plants there was no name with it, but when I recently re-potted it I found part of a label "...istopher" which suggested its identity. It has bloomed several times since, and the flowers are larger, each now about 4.6cm dia., and with 18 flowers to the spike.

You have a good eye for plants, diego p, they are indeed African violets in the background. They too enjoy room temperatures and good humidity. I also have cactus grown from seed, and various other odds and ends under the lights.

As for growing Phals bare-root, I think that the OB experts here would advise against it. Closest you could get would be to wire the plant to a board (or preferably a firm slab of bark), with good stringy sphagnum at the roots. Such a set-up would avoid the problems of over-watering, but you would need to water more frequently, and I sug misting the air-roots daily.

Personally, I find the clear pots work well. I moved the pictured one from a "small four inch" to a full "five inch" and changed from the dreaded packed-sphagnum of the supplier, to a bark-mix formulated especially for phals. I have learned to judge this plant's need for water by the weight of the pot, and give it a 10-15 minute soak as needed -- about once every 7 to 10 days.

Incidentally, some of the board members here rant against the big box retailers and their cheapie Noids, but afaic it's a good way for new orchid growers to learn the ropes without risking the big money. And, what the heck, if you can nurse a neglected orchid back to robust health, then I say that's a win-win situation.

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[RandomGemini]

If you're growing indoors, mounted plants can make for a lot more work than you want. I'm a lazy orchid grower. I have two mounted plants and am considering potting them both because the daily maintenance isn't something I'm good at remembering to do.

[Harvy Howard]

Thanks for the insightful comment RG. I did suspect that to be the case.

I also conjecture that "lazy" might be a little wide of the mark. More likely you are simply discriminating as to how best to allocate your orchid-growing time. A truly lazy person would hardly assume the detailed and demanding duties associated with the care of an orchid collection. How much easier it would be to settle for a few life-like artificial flowers.

[Polarizeme]

Your Phals will do fine in a bark mix. They look in good shape, maybe they just need a little time to adjust. Don't worry, they will throw off new leaves and roots in no time.
Mounting plants, as mentioned by Random Gemini, tends to be very messy for indoor growing and very intensive on the attention side. Some folks have created a set up for mounts to contain all the water, etc.

[diego_p]

Thanks guys, that's very reassuring and informative. I didn't know mounted orchids were more of a hassle than potted, I thought you just had to spray them down a few times a day and provide the necessary lighting.
Got to admit, They still look neat though.

[POLKA]

Howdy
continue to do what you have done.

Two additional things to help......
don't over do the sea weed. Once a month is good, because the effects take that long to wear off.

Find a mild heat source -- grow mat like thing -- and you will see progress much sooner. Phals like heat to grow. Mild temps to bloom.

Great save
Rex

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by Harvy Howard

Thanks for the insightful comment RG. I did suspect that to be the case.



I also conjecture that "lazy" might be a little wide of the mark. More likely you are simply discriminating as to how best to allocate your orchid-growing time. A truly lazy person would hardly assume the detailed and demanding duties associated with the care of an orchid collection. How much easier it would be to settle for a few life-like artificial flowers.

That's a great way to put it! I do prefer to water once or twice a week. Daily watering has proved to be a bit much for me, even though it's only the two plants. I need to get a timer for my lights too... The more I can automate, the better! If I could figure out a way to automate daily watering, it would be a lot easier!

[diego_p]

Originally Posted by POLKA

Howdy
continue to do what you have done.

Two additional things to help......
don't over do the sea weed. Once a month is good, because the effects take that long to wear off.

Find a mild heat source -- grow mat like thing -- and you will see progress much sooner. Phals like heat to grow. Mild temps to bloom.

Great save
Rex

what brand seaweed would you use? I've seen one called neptunes. . . something on ebay and a couple other websites. do any of you have experience with this?

as for a heat mat, I have a heating pad that i used for when i had a couple snakes, hooked up to a thermostat i think it would be useful. do you think if i put it under a humidity tray it would raise the humidity that much more?