Update on phals repotted a few months ago.

[james mickelso]

These were repotted 4 months ago and I bring the new pics every few weeks to show their progress. Some went from moss to bark. Some from moss to moss. some from moss to lava cinder. All are doing well. Most had few good roots when I got them. Here are a couple of them showing the root development. I use a secret rooting hormone on some of them and First Ray's Kelp Max on the others. Not really scientific but there is a very big difference. When I finish trials with the secret stuff I'll let Ray know where he can get it to do more research on it and maybe get some to provide to the rest of us. So here are some new pics of the roots. Hope it encourages some of you to get more rescues going. My grow space has temps around 75-85 and RH between 30 and 60 percent. Night temps are around 65-70. Plastic visqueen around the outside with plastic sheets on top. Very primitive. These are watered about every 3 days to a week. Dipped in a bucket of water.

[Optimist]

I am not sure why the pictures are labeled "Brassia" roots. But Oh well, carry on. I have roots that look like the last 2 pictures using a Kelp root hormone. Massive roots really, coming from every possible growth node. Cool. This interests me, so I would like to see your results, of course. I just saved another one, with really nice roots, but green so I wonder if they have been exhausted. I have them in bark (bottom of pot) and coconut basket liner cut up in strips. Quite a lot of the roots are sticking out of the pot and I am keeping them that way. I am so near to understanding Phals. Plants I have always killed, so any sage advice is welcomed.

[james mickelso]

Remember that orchids for the most part don't need media. They grow bare root. We just put them in media, in pots, on the dinner table or coffee table so we can invite the girls over for Bunko and hear Marge exclaim, "Oh my what a wonderful orchid you have. You are so talented!!!" And they'll be all jealous.

[Optimist]

Yep James. The only added benefit is giving them a clinging surface as well as providing a bit more humidity. If I lived in Louisiana or Florida, they would be in baskets.