Phal Watering - Orchid Board

dennis4246 · #1 12-07-2008, 10:13 PM

I bought this orchid named
Phal cornu-cervi var. albas FANGtastic. it was partly in bloom when it arrived and it bloomed great. The info on the growers web site says keep moist all the time. Well i picked up the plant and smelled it one day and the smedded very bad. I took it out of the pot and the only medium was Sphangum moss which was soaked and smelled rotten. I repotted it into another pot and used a medium mix of potting medium. My question is, do I let it dry between waterings or keep the medium moist at all times.

thanks

Dennis in Pensacola

jkofferdahl · #2 12-07-2008, 10:26 PM

Cornu-cervi is one of my favorite orchids. Great choice!

When the roots are wet they will turn green, becoming white as they dry. Too much moisture will cause root rot, killing off the roots and possibly the plant. The medium should be allowed to just dry out between waterings. If you stick a pencil into the medium and can feel moisture on it when you pull it out again, the medium still has moisture and shouldn't be watered.

dennis4246 · #3 12-07-2008, 10:55 PM

Thanks much for the info. Is this true with all Phals, or should I pay strict attention to ewhat the grower says.

Dennis in Pensacola

Joansorchid · #4 12-08-2008, 08:44 AM

Hi Dennis
I am relatively new to OB. But my Phals are all doing well. I water mine roughly once every week but spray them daily in between. Now its winter here I water fortnightly and just spray when the soil feels dry. I hope that helps. They are far more likely to die from over watering than under and if the leaves look limp is another indicator for more water.
Hugs Joan

jkofferdahl · #5 12-08-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis4246

Thanks much for the info. Is this true with all Phals, or should I pay strict attention to ewhat the grower says.

Dennis in Pensacola

Phals don't like to dry out but they need some time between waterings so that they don't stay wet. It would be better to err on the side of dryness, and mist regularly between waterings, than risk overwatering.

BikerDoc5968 · #6 12-08-2008, 09:06 AM

Bad odor usually means root rot or decaying growing media...either of which is bad news! I personally don't grow in sphag because I have a watering obsession and have killed more plants than I care to recall!!!! I use bark/CHC(Coconut Husk Chips) and have done well with this mix. But, that is just me.... lots of people on the board use and are VERY successful with sphag. If you remove all of the sphag from your plant and remove any roots that are soft or dark or mushy and repot, keeping the plant warm and barely moist, NOT wet, it should do well. Phalaenopsis don't take water up from their leaves so misting the leaves may contribute to crown rot. Misting the medium may help increase humidity for roots. In addition to water and food, you have to have good air circulation....don't need a hurricane but some air movement is helpful. Oh, and welcome to our wonderful community.

Lagoon · #7 12-08-2008, 10:23 AM

I agree, this is a wonderful choice. The spikes can bloom for years on and off, so don't cut these off til the go yellow in color.

I have my phals in different types of media, mostly sphag mix. My cornu-cervi is grown in my paph mix. Peatmoss, small bark with some perlite & a touch of coal. I do keep it moist most of the time allowing it to reach a damp sorta dryness before watering again.

I do find in late dec and jan it does take a bit of a rest for a few weeks. I don't change the lighting but I do ease up on the waterings, it just doesn't want to drink much during the resting time.

Happy growing