Mature Phal. community pot experiment. Any thoughts on the subject??

[shushu45]

Today while bowling I had an idea for a community pot for adult Phal.s and wanted to see what the experts thought about the idea.

I tried to search for info on goodle and here and that didn't help much for what I'm looking for. I want to know is any of u had any tips oh the subject.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would advise against it. If one plant has a virus or other disease, it will be very easy for disease transmission from one plant to another. Also, the roots of different plants may become entangled and attached to one another, you may need to cut them apart if you decide to separate them later.

There is one exception that might be possible for you, if you want to try this. Buy a compot of juvenile plants, raise them to adulthood together in the same pot. Plants raised in the same pot should have the same diseases (or lack of diseases), so keeping them in a compot together should present little added risk. Another thing you may see with this approach is that a compot of many identical plants will be more likely to bloom at more or less the same time.

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I would advise against it. If one plant has a virus or other disease, it will be very easy for disease transmission from one plant to another. Also, the roots of different plants may become entangled and attached to one another, you may need to cut them apart if you decide to separate them later.

There is one exception that might be possible for you, if you want to try this. Buy a compot of juvenile plants, raise them to adulthood together in the same pot. Plants raised in the same pot should have the same diseases (or lack of diseases), so keeping them in a compot together should present little added risk. Another thing you may see with this approach is that a compot of many identical plants will be more likely to bloom at more or less the same time.

Yeah u r right. I started thinking about it on my way to work. So this morning I just put them into a big basket to simulate they r in a community pot. They r still in their plastic pots and all but now they look like they r in one pot.

Glad I didn't go gun-ho into it first.

Thank you.

[Bill U.]

In addition to diseases, I would suggest that you partake in the skewer method of water-management (if you don't already) because there can be an issue with root rot in a compot or even any non-solo potting arrangement of plants. This is why many times those poor phals that are often arranged for HD with 2 or 3 plants to a pot will often die of root rot- so much space in there and a very slow drying time with all of the roots. Just something to be aware of...

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Bill U.

In addition to diseases, I would suggest that you partake in the skewer method of water-management (if you don't already) because there can be an issue with root rot in a compot or even any non-solo potting arrangement of plants. This is why many times those poor phals that are often arranged for HD with 2 or 3 plants to a pot will often die of root rot- so much space in there and a very slow drying time with all of the roots. Just something to be aware of...

Yeah I use the skewer method for the ones who r not in s/h. I started thinking about the space issue as well when I was doing my routine CBC.

Thank u for replying.


I guess I just a beautiful display like I see in photos of some compots in my home.

[james mickelso]

I wouldn't be concerned about root rot or one getting a disease and transmitting it to the others. Highly unlikely if you practice good orchid culture. And these aren';t irreplaceable anyway. I like the idea. In fact I do it. Only once did I get something that killed both plants. But that is another story here a couple years ago. Use a shallow tray or make one like a vanda basket. Plant a bunch in it using a medium well draining media. Imagine the looks on the faces of your orchid friends when you have 10 or more phals all blooming at once. Bravo for thinking outside the orchid pot.

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I wouldn't be concerned about root rot or one getting a disease and transmitting it to the others. Highly unlikely if you practice good orchid culture. And these aren';t irreplaceable anyway. I like the idea. In fact I do it. Only once did I get something that killed both plants. But that is another story here a couple years ago. Use a shallow tray or make one like a vanda basket. Plant a bunch in it using a medium well draining media. Imagine the looks on the faces of your orchid friends when you have 10 or more phals all blooming at once. Bravo for thinking outside the orchid pot.

Have u tried it another time??

[Optimist]

I have 7 in a pot together right now. Everyone said don't use a big pot, but I did not want the plant to dry out too quickly. They are mini phals, all different colors. So far they are doing fine. I planned on separating them though.

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Optimist

I have 7 in a pot together right now. Everyone said don't use a big pot, but I did not want the plant to dry out too quickly. They are mini phals, all different colors. So far they are doing fine. I planned on separating them though.

Cool.


I'm going to do some more research.

[shushu45]

Well after over a week of looking up and researching orchid diseases. I decided to go ahead and plant them in a compot. I have four Phal.s in a 14" x14" basket that one uses for ponds. It has a net like weave all over except for the rim. They r potted in cedar chunks. I kinda went with a theme. Purple dots.

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