How are You growing your Phals?

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Hi to all

Anyone here growing their Phals in sphagnum? Mixed with? Did you switch to sphag. after less than ideal results with another medium and if so, what improvements did you find after switching?

I'm thinking of switching from bark to equal parts of sphag./tree fern pieces and about 1/4 perlite but before I do, I'd really like hearing what others have to say and what differences/improvements you've noticed after switching from __?__ to sphag?

I think everyone has different growing conditions and watering habits, and thus will post different results. For my part, I can't really mount them due to space limitations. I switched last year from straight fir bark to a mix of 3/4 sphag and 1/4 Monterrey pine bark. Over this past year, all my Phals have simply taken off, new leaves and thick roots sprouting like crazy, and now every plant has two spikes emerging.

What I've found with watering the sphag is similar to what others have written on this site: I wait until the moss is dry almost to the point of being "crispy" before re-watering. I also use slotted clear plastic pots; I'm finding the slots help the roots to breath, and also allow the moss to dry more evenly. I try to make sure condensation is evaporated on the inside of the pot before watering again. When it comes time for repotting next year, I may move a few to those mesh plastic baskets with the same mix, and see if even more aeration improves things further. The Phals are obviously much happier than they were in the bark this time last year!