My first repot in sphagnum moss. Phal. Sogo Yellowtris

[Tolis]

My yellowtris had outgrown the nursery pot it came in so I bit the bullet and moved it to a 4" slotted pot. I was hesitant to do it because it came in bloom but after searching in here, I found out that phals can handle the repot while in bloom just fine. I simply waited for all the buds to open before I commited to it. I found only one bad root. Sadly(maybe not for some ), it came in sphagnum moss so I didn't change the media mostly because I didn't want to cause any stress to my plant but also because it's my only phal in sphagnum moss and I wanted to see if it suits my conditions. it will do just fine. The oldest leaf might be falling off soon. It moves a lot but I am certain that's not because of my handling.

Do you see any mistakes in the pictures provided? Something I need to change?

I'll post close ups from it's blooms soon. Oh, it has a very pleasant but mild smell, usually during the morning. I think the smell got stronger after the repot was done, like the plant was thanking me. Probably my imagination

[Ray]

Looks pretty good to me.

I would only water that by filling the tray, rather than from the top, as that will let it wick up without compressing the moss.

[Tolis]

Originally Posted by Ray

Looks pretty good to me.

I would only water that by filling the tray, rather than from the top, as that will let it wick up without compressing the moss.

Thanks for getting back to me Ray! And for all the help about kelpak in private via emails before I joined this board.

So far I used to measure 30-50 ml of water (with fertilizer and/or kelpak in it) depending on how warm the weather is and as you say, fill the tray (which is not the correct size but it's all I had, soon to change) and let it wick up.

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The important thing to remember with moss is not to get it completely soaking wet. That obliterates the air spaces. Use enough water so the moss is just barely damp when the water has been absorbed. Water again when the top of the moss is crisp dry.

[tmoney]

howdy! we r also learning how to water with moss. when we first started growing orchids we lost many plants that were in moss and we did not repot into bark. however, we were watering the same way as our plants in bark...that was not a successful method! so, my only advice on this (as we also have only been experimenting for a year or so) would be to wait until the moss on top is just crispy and then drizzle water over the top. with clear pots you can visibly see the rehydration of the moss happening in real time, so it is nice to watch the water filling the spaces. and also, the method of weighing the plant and pot to see how much water it has lost has proven much more valuable with moss substrate than with bark. because the bark is so heavy, without a scale it is impossible to tell by hand how dry the medium is, however with moss is it very obvious when the moss is moist and when it is dryish and needs water.

good luck with your moss experiments! it has proven a HUUUGE water savings for us to transition to full moss culture, and once we started to get the hang of the method it is very easy and reliable.

[Tolis]

Originally Posted by tmoney

howdy! ...

good luck with your moss experiments! it has proven a HUUUGE water savings for us to transition to full moss culture, and once we started to get the hang of the method it is very easy and reliable.

Hello. Thanks for your input.

I live in Greece but I am just above 1000m elevation, so although I am way south compared to Germany, we are essentially in the same zone; The fact that moss works for you makes me hopefull it will do fine for me as well . This summer my house rocked 30C indoors (highest indoors temperature I witnessed so far) so i'd love to transition everything to moss if it works, hence the reason behind my experiment with it.

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Most Phals are perfectly happy to at least 40C / 104 F if the humidity is adequate.

[Tolis]

The closeup as promised.



Edit:50mm, F/1.8 @ 1/100 sec and ISO 200. Natural light from a west facing window. The black background is my pc monitor turned off.

[tmoney]

greece is more north than germany? maybe i misunderstood! either way, best of luck with the moss! 30 seems good, while it may be warm to us the phals would probly love it...

[Tolis]

Originally Posted by tmoney

greece is more north than germany? maybe i misunderstood! either way, best of luck with the moss! 30 seems good, while it may be warm to us the phals would probly love it...

Don't mind me, I meant south