Phals in Sphag -- how tight?

[boytjie]

I switched a couple of my Phals this past spring to a mix which is 75/25 sphagnum and bark. So far, so good -- new growths, and even a keiki. Question, though, for those of you with more experience: how tightly do Phals like to be potted? Should I be packing the sphag mix in there pretty solidly, or just using enough of it to provide moisture and a "structure" for the roots to grab hold of? Seems to me that if it's packed in tightly, it might not dry out quickly enough. Thanks for the input!

[Lagoon]

I've never used sphag and bark together, just sphag and coarse rok. I pack tight enough so the roots are solid and theres no wobble.

With new growths and another plant starting --Sounds like your doing just fine to me

[whygreenberg]

Yeah, it sounds like you're doing well. For my Phals, I use a 75/25 mix of sphagnum & gravel. The way I think about it, you should really be able to lift it by the base of the plant and not have the pot fall off. This will let you know that the roots have established themselves well. I wouldn't try doing this if you've just recently repotted since it takes a bit for the roots to settle in. But again, it sounds like you're doing well.

[masda]

Straight spaghnum moss, firm but not packed tight this allows some air to the roots, if you have any pots with side holes use them with the moss, do not use open weave pots as they will dry out to quick. If you can get medium sized limestone chip place it in the bottom of the pot this will attract the roots down and will supply calcium to the plant.

[shakkai]

Because we have quite high humidity here, I err on the loose side when using sphag (and it is my favourite potting medium). If its packed too tightly, it will just never dry out for me. Let your conditions (and your plants) guide you - and by the sounds of it, it seems your plants are happy already!

[Bird Song Farm]

I use spag for all my phals and pack it loosely, enough to hold the plant in place but leaving plenty of air space.
Al

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

I use 100% New Zealand sphagnum for all my phalaenopsis. I add a few foam peanuts at the bottom of the plastic pots to increase air circulation and pack my plants tight with sphagnum. The plants do very well for my environment. My suggestion is don't change what you are doing if your plants are doing well. I look forward to seeing your flowers when they bloom.

[unhappykat]

I lay spag around the root mass of some of my pahls that dont hang so that the natural cone made by the roots stays empty giving air circulation while the moss above gives plenty of moisture for growth, because the center of the pot is open light shine through the holes attracting the roots to the bottom of the pot allowing it to attach to the pot much quicker than with other methods, at least for me. But dont change anything if it works only experiment to see if anything else is better, i have lots of experiments but so far this and hanging are the only things that work.

[priz_m]

Hi Stephen, new growth definitely means you got it right, so congratulations on that!

For my phals I use 75/25 mix of bark and LECA and layer sphag moss on top and a bit around the roots, but never too tight.

[Ross]

Guess I'm the lone one out here. I never use sphagnum for Phals as it tends to hold way too much moisture for my conditions. I use bark and allow lots of voids in the bark. I don't try for total coverage. I use clear pots and I allow lots of big air spaces in the bark. The roots of mine turn green because of the sun and photosynthesis and I water when everything looks real dry. So far I get really big leaves and spikes.