Phal Potting Mix Help For An X-tra Large Phal

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hello all.

I need some help and suggestions to choose the right mix for my huge phal. Here's the story:

I have been growing this phal in a 16" vanda basket outside in my backyard. This year it grew A LOT, and it has a lot of blooms. I had thought of showing it, but as each bloomed opened, and to my disappointment, the blooms are all marked by thrips tracks. Sigh. Clearly, I can't submit it like that, and I'm determined to do so with this particular plant. So, I have decided to take it from the backyard and where it's currently potted and move it inside to see whether it can produce show quality blooms next year.

I can't leave it in the vanda basket, it is too dry inside for the plant to be bare root. So, I need to pot it up. I am planning on having a custom-made container for it, but I need to put it in some type of mix. I can tell you that I grow my indoor phals in a mix of 1/2 coir and 1/2 monterrey bark, but I'm not sure whether this mix will be appropriate for such a large plant. The indoor phals are VERY happy in that mix and their roots are thick like my fingers.

The root system in this plant is about 16 inches long, if not longer (I haven't examined the root system underneath the Coconut Husk fiber it's currently in.

So, what are your suggestions as far as mix is concerned for such a huge plant? I don't do well in moss, or in pure bark based mediums.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

[kiki-do]

I always use medium or large coconut husk chips as the main ingredient, and some large alifor (pellets), some charcoal to help sweeten things up a bit, and perhaps some perlite (which I don't actually like using). Perlite does have great qualities, though.
I was once told that the medium you use isn't that important. It's just to hold up the plant. Not sure if I believe that or not, but thought it might help to drive home a point, which is.....use whatever might work for you. Lava rock is also perferred by some.
I would have loved to see a picture of your giant phal.

[RosieC]

I'm currently getting on well with a mix of Bark, Cocunut Husk Chips, & Perlite.

I use two grades of bark, and vary the proportions based on the orchid. My larger Phals are doing well with mostly large grade bark in the mix.

I find the Cocunut Husk Chips help hold moisture and the mix does not dry out as quickly as pure bark.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hi there and thank you for your responses.

Kiki, here are some recent pictures of my "teeny" phal:


Phalaenopsis Barbara Baldan's Mandarin Fancy #4 picture by peeweelovesbooks - Photobucket

Phalaenosis Barbara Baldan's Mandarin Fancy #3 picture by peeweelovesbooks - Photobucket

Phalaenopsis Barbara Baldan's Mandarin Fancy #1 picture by peeweelovesbooks - Photobucket

[kiki-do]

Wow! You could get a hernia lifting that into the pot. Be careful!!!

[Lagoon]

Hay folks

I'm not sure what the issue is with size and media?
The media choice(s) will depend on you're conditions and you're watering habits.

I don't grow any of my seedling phals differently then the older phals.
If you find you're mix that you are using indoor, then why not use it for phal in question?

If you are already have success with the coir/bark mix, then I think this is the way to go for you.
Of course unless you wanted to adventure out and try something new - nothing wrong with that

I also don't do well with bark, unless its mixed with something else - much to dry, I really dislike all the watering it takes.

I use a good quality peatmoss(about 65%) based mix I add some perlite small bark and for my catts & dens I add a little tree fern for faster dry out time.

Don't be scared to change things up but also look at the history and where you're already success is.
Good luck in what ever you decide

[peeweelovesbooks]

Kiki,

thank you. It's huge!!

Gloria,

I guess my concern is that since the pot is going to be big, I hesitate to use the same potting medium because I will use a lot of it and I don't want it to suffocate the roots. I've not used that particular potting medium in anything larger than a 6'5 inch pot. So, that's my line of thinking.

[kiki-do]

Other questions....do you have a picture of it in bloom? Also, what about mounting it? I'm only saying that cause you live in Florida and it just looks so "I want to be free to be me!" Can't you mount it and still keep it inside and show it?

[peeweelovesbooks]

Kiki,

I will take a picture of the blooms. They are plenty, but thrips got to them before they opened.

I thought about mounting, but can't keep it inside--it's way to dry.

Thanks for your kind comments.

I will try to take a picture of the blooms tomorrow--they are the reason I want to move the plant inside.

[quiltergal]

What sort of custom made container are you having made for it? What material will it be made from? That could also play into what kind of medium you use.