Interesting that most all phals are grown in moss yet when brought to our growing areas, it becomes a deathtrap. Roots die and leaves wrinkle. Why? Easy. Where phals are grown in commercial greenhouses the temps are high, the humidity is high, and there is a constant breeze. Wind almost. They aren't watered very often because of the high humidity. We buy them, bring them home, and they start to die. What can you do to keep your new orchid happy and growing well? Simple. It doesn't matter what it is potted in or how high the humidity is. The main reason they start to deteriorate is the roots stay too wet. Period. The moss isn't the problem. Our growing area is the problem. That is, for how it is potted in relation to the conditions in our growing area. This is why most folks subscribe to the assumption that phals need to be repotted as soon as we get them home. And that is a valid assumption. They don't really need to be but for most of us, it is better to do so. When you repot the plant, you'll notice two things. First off you'll find the moss is densely packed into the pot. There is the original dense plug of moss in the center of the mass. Secondly, all the roots that aren't shriveled or black, watery messes are growing around the outside of the media just along the inside of the pot. 90% of all the hundreds of phals I have found/bought/been given/ or simply stolen have been just like this. If you don't want to, don't have the time to, fear losing the flowers, or simply don't know how to repot, just don't water much until such time that you can do it. Once you decide to repot, pick a media and pot it up the way it needs to be potted with the media you have picked. If potting into bark, make it a small bark. Spong rock/perlite is not necessary. It does have some limited benefits but isn't absolutely necessary. In an old article from the 80's in the AOS Orchids magazine the author wrote not to use charco; in the mix. Phals don't like charcoal. That's what he said. I use it. No problem. Moss? You can use the very same moss you took the phal out of and just repot into it. Just don't pack it in tight. Place small wads of it in between the roots. Hold the plant at the height you want the plant to be when finished and place small wads of moss into and around the roots. Don't smoosh it in but just place it in and pack it in with a small stick or your little finger. If you need to support the plant until it re-establishes itself, use a plant clip. Hydroton works well also. Semi-hydro is not something I use. I grew pot that way decades ago but it is problematic so I don't espouse it's use for the amateurs among us. If you use moss, you don't need to water it much. Let it get to the point of just damp before you water it again. Humidity. As long as the roots are damp (not wet) the plant will do fine. The brighter it is and the warmer it is the more water you need to give the plant but never kept wet all the time. They aren't aquatic. They are epiphytes. They grow soiless on trees and tree limbs. Taylor your watering to what you have the plant potted in and let it become just damp before you water again. A small fan will do wonders for it. Clear or opaque pots don't matter. If you know how to water with the media you have chosen, you don't need to see them. I use clay pots for most of my phals and most everything else. Not necessary but it's what I have on hand. What do your phals need? Bright warm atmosphere. Moisture short of staying wet. A nice breeze. Some food. That's it.
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