What should I do about my pot drainage?

[JBlacksmith]

Hi all, I am new to the forum as well as orchid care. I have an unhealthy/damaged phalaenopsis that I repotted yesterday. I put it in a clear glass pot without drainage holes, but added a couple layers of smooth marbles to the bottom for compensation. Is this going to be sufficient drainage? Or am I hindering the recuperation of my orchid? Any thoughts, comments, or advice will be greatly appreciated!

[orion141]

Orchids need to be in pots with at least one drainage hole on the bottom otherwise standing water (and lack of air flow) can lead to fungal or bacterial growth and then root rot. I would go get a clay or plastic pot from home depot/lowes that has some holes on the bottom (and even on the sides as well) and gently repot the plant. If you post a picture of the phal we might be able to tell you whether it needs additional care as well.

[birdybrain]

Seems the easiest thing would be to add some drainage holes. It's not that hard to drill holes in glass, though you do need drill bits that are capable of drilling glass. There are posts on OB about drilling glass, websites with instructions & even some you tube videos.

If you don't want to drill the glass & can keep the media in the vase you can always tip it sideways to drain out any excess water, but without a way to flush the media well I would be afraid of the eventual build up of salts, etc, from water & fertilizer. For the immediate future just be sure the remaining water in the vase is well below the top of the layer of gravel & keep a close eye on the condition of the roots.

[Bud]

It seems that you are doing a vase method of letting your Phal recupe=just don't let the water at the bottom stagnate=refresh it every other day....but as soon as you see healthy roots and new leaf growth....you need to repot it in either moss or orchid mix in a transparent plastic pot with holes.

[JBlacksmith]

Originally Posted by Bud

but as soon as you see healthy roots and new leaf growth....you need to repot it in either moss or orchid mix in a transparent plastic pot with holes.

It has almost no roots left; I believe I left two because one of them has a bud that seemed like it had been trying to grow at one point. How will I know if it has new root growth? Should I gently pull it out and check from time to time?

---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by orion141

If you post a picture of the phal we might be able to tell you whether it needs additional care as well.

While I'm trying to figure out how to post a picture, what part of it should I show? Just the leaves? There are almost no roots, so should I just pick it up really quick to show how that looks?

[dounoharm]

I think you need to look at how orchids, and phals, grow in nature....by placing your plant in a glass bowl with no ventilation or proper media and stabilization, you are asking it to be plastic...like dead....phals grow on trees, out in the open, with loads of breezes and air moving in the roots...getting soaked in rain and drying right out....anchored to the tree trunk....to grow them indoors, we have to imitate nature to the best of our ability by placing the plant firmly into a bark medium, applying water on a regular basis, like once a week or so, and in sufficient quantity to completely soak the media then dry, and give them enough light to stimulate growth....that is what we strive for....your plant is stressed, and could use root initiation....I advise the sphag and bag treatment (you can find that method elsewhere in the forum) and then potting in bark....good luck!

[JBlacksmith]

Here are the pictures without touching the orchid or removing it from the medium.

[JBlacksmith]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

I think you need to look at how orchids, and phals, grow in nature....I advise the sphag and bag treatment (you can find that method elsewhere in the forum) and then potting in bark....good luck!

I will definitely look into that! Currently I have it in a coarse potting mixture for orchids that I found at the grocery store, and sphagnum moss. Is there a certain ratio I should be trying to achieve if it was moss and bark? Or is it better to have it in bark alone?