Spag N Bag with packing peanuts - Orchid Board

juneeb · #1 10-14-2009, 03:05 PM

I'm a new orchid grower and have been killing many phals while learning. Root rot was always my problem. Everything I tried didn't work so I decided to experiment. I had 2 phals with a couple of leaves each and no roots. Nothing, just a stub. I sprayed it with SuperThrive and applied cinnamon. I took a netted pot and put very little moss in the bottom then packing peanuts on top. I took this netted pot and placed it into a clear slotted pot. Put my rootless phal in the middle. Tried to nestle it into the peanuts for support. Placed it on a tray and then put a zip lock back over it. Every day I misted the peanuts with water (sometimes with Superthrive and sometimes with Fertilizer). 2 months later I now have some roots. I was super suprised and excited.

Don't give up!

johnblagg · #2 10-14-2009, 03:39 PM

cool,and not only that but you also have learned the basics OF SEMI-HYDRO I would put that one in s/h for good now You will love it.All you would have to do is switch from the peanuts to a porous rock and continue pretty much as you have been....or even just a bigger pot of packing peanuts no reason they wouldnt work if you misted every day.

It would be better with a porous medium like lava rock or leca but with the same care as it has now on watering the packing peanuts would work too.

juneeb · #3 10-14-2009, 04:04 PM

thanks for your reply. I was actually trying to figure out what to do with it now. I worked so hard for those roots, I don't want to screw it up. So you think I should continue with the peanuts? I'm intimidated with starting something totally new (s/h). I'm still trying to figure out watering and humidity level with my other plants. I also made a make shift greenhouse in my bathroom. The plants are in the bathtub, clear plastic is draped around the tub and a humidifier is in the tub.

johnblagg · #4 10-14-2009, 04:31 PM

actually the way you have been doing it is basicly s/h but yes you can just use more peanuts and keep up like you have been.and with s/h it is my experiance that you really cant overwater.

LOL I wet my catts down with a sprayer full of fert mix every time they look dry at all ....sometimes just cause I walked by and I wanted too.

I am getting awesome growth on them and now have two paphs and a den in s/h too.The paphs have been in about a month and I have new leaves coming out no roots yet but the first nubs have appeared so there will be soon.