Mounting to save P. aphrodite? - Orchid Board

Izzie · #1 09-11-2010, 01:02 PM

So I lost most of the beautiful roots on my Phal. aphrodite from a very aggressive mold infection. I've gotten rid of the mold, but the plant just isn't thriving or recovering well.
I had put it in nothing but hydroton (but not s/h) in order to make it easier to keep it fungus/bacteria/ickiness free. Obviously, not holding enough water, but allowed me to clear the infection.

I was thinking of either trying s/h, or mounting.
My environment is particularly dry. The plant will be kept in my bedroom where I have a humidifier on at night.

What do you guys think? I've found it hard to find specific culture information about P. aphrodite, rather than P. amabilis.

This is the plant from this thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-chc-mold.html

In it's hey-day:

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 09-11-2010, 02:01 PM

Mounting a rootless Phal and placing in a humid environment may be worth trying out.

Royal · #3 09-11-2010, 09:48 PM

Good luck, that's a sweet looking aphrodite.

Izzie · #4 09-14-2010, 02:53 PM

If it needs to be in a humid environment- as in, 60-70%- I may not be able to provide that. Perhaps I'll do s/h after all, since it will have some new roots soon (there are nubbies appearing.)

And thank you Royal.

RosieC · #5 09-15-2010, 08:00 AM

I've never done this so just guessing, but I would guess that if it already has root nubbins then it may still be worth mounting if you wanted to.

I think you can grown Phals mounted provided you water enough. I don't have a mounted Phal but my other mounted orchid just dry quicker in a drier enviroment but seem to do fine. I think the main reason Philip suggested a humid enviroment is because that can help stop it drying while it has no roots.

I could be completly wrong though and I would say, go with what you feel happiest with.

Izzie · #6 09-15-2010, 05:43 PM

Thanks Rosie, I value your input.
It will be a while before the roots are long enough that I'll be comfortable making a switch, so I still have time to decide. Denver's Orchid Show is in the beginning of October, so I should be able to buy some mounting material there. I hope!

Izzie · #7 09-15-2010, 05:44 PM

I was so relieved to see those root nubbies though, I was sick of myself, thinking that I'd killed my first healthy plant. All the other ones that have died were rescues on their way out.

Call_Me_Bob · #8 09-15-2010, 05:57 PM

you may be able to find some mounting material if you go to a creek or river, if you find a suitable peice of driftwood, you can soak it for a few day and then rinse with bleach. and it should be fine. i also got some mounting material from petco. but if your going to pay for it from petco, why not just wait until the show

good luck, it really is a beautiful plant

thakshila smith · #9 09-21-2010, 04:07 AM

I have seen phals grow in wooden baskets without any support of medium . Bec of very heavy rains, they grow out doors and we
Never add any thing to baskets.
I read in other thread that phals need little water . And some dry out.

WhiteRabbit · #10 09-21-2010, 04:13 AM

last year I mounted a couple of rootless Phals (deliciosa and violacea) both responded very well, putting out new roots. (I'm in a rather dry climate too) Unfortunately this year they weren't doing anything, so have un-mounted them and potted.

Mounting is worth a shot - but if there are new root nubbies, I would probably leave as is - just what I would do ...