Mounted Phals

[DeanneD]

It seems like phals aren't often mounted. I was just curious about why that might be. Is it just because pots make it easier to keep them watered correctly? Are there advantages or disadvantages to mounting them?

[Bird Song Farm]

Probably easier for the general public to take care of. Also easier to pack/transport.
This really requires a much longer answer but basically money is at the bottom of it.

AL

[Erce]

i got some phals mounted and they all doing good, better then my potted ones!
but ok, i have a orcidarium

[WhiteRabbit]

I'm sure there are plenty of members here who have mounted phals. I mounted a couple of small ones after the roots rotted in pots, and they have been much happier for it. Unfortunately, I don't have room for larger ones to be mounted. But, mounted plants do require frequent watering - especially in dry climates like mine.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by DeanneD

It seems like phals aren't often mounted. I was just curious about why that might be. Is it just because pots make it easier to keep them watered correctly? Are there advantages or disadvantages to mounting them?

Four of my Phals have been switched from pot grown to mounts and they are now much easier to care for. Plants that have a lot of aerial roots to begin with tend to adjust better. They should be mounted upside down. When they're watered in this position the moisture runs down the leaves and prevents puddling in the crown, thus preventing crown rot. Freshly mounted plants should be watered at least 2 or 3 times a day. This gives them time to adjust, grow new roots, and latch on to the mount. My established plants thrive with just one watering session a day. Mounted plants grown in dry climates might require additional watering sessions. I've discovered the only down side to mounts is where to hang them when brought indoors during cold spells.

[DeanneD]

I might have to try this someday. Not yet though. I only have two phals and their survival right now is dubious. They're ebay purchases that are very small, and I don't have the right set-up yet to maintain a mounted plant. I'm working on it, so maybe by next winter...

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by DeanneD

I might have to try this someday. Not yet though. I only have two phals and their survival right now is dubious. They're ebay purchases that are very small, and I don't have the right set-up yet to maintain a mounted plant. I'm working on it, so maybe by next winter...

well if your phals aren't doing well in pots, mounting may be something to try. Like I said I only have a couple of small phals mounted due to the issue of no where to put larger ones. But the small ones I just hang from curtain rods with "S" hooks, or prop them up in the windowsill

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I mount all my Phals. Where I live, it was impossible for me to obtain long term success using pot culture.