How long does it take for phals to settle in?

[Priya_H]

So I have a few phals mounted on cork barks (giants and minis) for several weeks now. I have them tied down with cotton kitchen twine and they have some moss to help with humidity (which is not helping much, to tell you the truth. They're as good as gone). So how long will the plants need to be tied down/what are some of the signs (if any) I should look for to see if the plant has settled down enough to be without the twine?

[Silje]

Depends, I think, on how active the plants were when you mounted them. Phals, in my experience, keep a fairly steady pace through most of the year, constantly growing new roots and leaves. But mine often take a break or a short resting period after flowering.

I mounted a couple of phals some months ago and they're doing fine, with lots of roots and all, but they still have a long way to go before they've properly attached themselves to the mount so I'm guessing that might take the best part of a year. Ok, mine are spiking at the moment so perhaps they will speed it up a bit once they're done flowering, but still...it takes a while for plants to adjust to mounting.

[tucker85]

I agree with Silje. My Phals don't attach to mounts as vigorously as my cattleyas do. One reason is that Phals don't produce as many roots as some other orchids. Even if I get some good roots growing, it's often just a couple and it takes several to hold on to the mount. I think, like Silje said, you need six months to a year.

[Priya_H]

They are vigorously growing since mid-late July. Lots of new roots and a new leaf on each. Today, I also noticed another new leaf in one of the minis. I see no sign of spikes on anyone though.

None were flowering when I mounted them. Minis were totally inactive for close to 6 months, the giant just dropped its last flower. I thought it would take a break from growing, but when I moved it to the South windowsill along with the minis, all of them suddenly started exploding with new roots and leaves!! I left them there for rest of the summer and cared for them. Then mounted them a few weeks ago, late August.

[catherinecarney]

I mounted my first phal this spring (May-ish?) and it had tons of healthy roots when I mounted it on cork bark. However, it's taken until now (September) for it attach even one root to the mount.

It's starting to grow more new roots, so I hope that it will continue to attach them to the bark and that by next spring I will be able to remove the florist greenery pins I used to secure it.

I have another phal, an Aerangis citrata, a Catt. schilleriana, and a Den. aggregatum that I mounted at the same time and they have not attached yet, although the phal and Catt. at least are showing the start of new roots.

Catherine

[kindrag23]

I Mounted mine randomly this summer the earliest was around August. My phal's are just now starting to shoot roots out and older roots that were apart of the mulch moss potted culture. But they are still just nubs basically growth wise. So I am thinking it will take some time before I can cut off the fishing line.