Companion plants for phalaenopsis?

[lauraeli]

Are there any plants which can be grown with/alongside phals to up the visual appeal while not in flower?

[disalover]

You can try some mottled leaf paphiopedilums. The most appealing are paph delenatii and his hybrids. Also try ludisia discolor.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by disalover

You can try some mottled leaf paphiopedilums. The most appealing are paph delenatii and his hybrids. Also try ludisia discolor.

Jewel orchids are beautiful <3 I saw some at the greenhouse but wasnt sure about their care.

I should be more specific though, I am thinking along the lines of a houseplant combination planting. Not just shoving plants together that look nice, but something that works well indefinitely and keeps the needs of the individual plants in mind.

[wintergirl]

So many orchid people have African violets, you might try them.

[Vanda lover]

Anything with colourful foliage would work. Maybe Rex begonias. My neighbour has realistic silk orchids that she sticks in her pots when they are out of bloom.

[The Mutant]

I feel my English is failing me a bit here, so I'm not really certain what you're after. That won't stop me from suggesting something though.

How about the Marantaceae family? Especially species from the Calathea, Ctenanthe, and Maranta genera are gorgeous, and want the same conditions as Phals. These plants have very decorative leaves, but I think only one is grown for its flowers, Calathea crocata. A warning though, some of them, Calathea zebrina and warscewiczii I think, are prone to get spider mites if the humidity is too low.

[Optimist]

Hoyas, rhipsalis and other epiphitic cactii require similar care. They need fast drainage, and dry periods between watering. They mostly droop down many people who grow orchids have interest in both. I think you would have to time them right. I have pink and white schomburkia, ever appealing and flowerfull african violets, and dendrobium phalenopsis blooming. All in pretty pinks. African violets are amazing plants. There are tons of types & colors. They are terrestrial though.

[PaphMadMan]

One easy reliable foliage plant group that should do well with Phals is genus Aglaonema. Give the Phals the best light and surround them with these very shade tolerant "Chinese Evergreens". Classic green with white or silver markings, but modern selections also include quite a bit of pink and red tones.

[lauraeli]

I have a lot of beautiful houseplants here. I steer clear of maranta and calathea because (even though they are beautiful) I dont want to be responsible for their humidity needs. I have a bat flower already that is suffering.

What I AM looking for, is suggestions of plants that can be grown directly in a pot with phalaenopsis. Something that can be grown in bark, and likes the same conditions. Or, possibly, a way to combine plants that still allows them their own separate medium/watering schedule.

I do have an easter cactus. Is that something that can be grown in bark?