moss or bark for phal? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

jrodpad · #1 09-08-2010, 06:02 PM

LT,

I'm sure that a few air spots wont do any harm - although I always do my best to try to fill em in (advantage, clear pots!).

Some people have suggested that when you change the potting medium the sphag-adapted roots will die off and the phal will have to grow all new roots suited for the bark mix. I'm not so sure that's always the case (though willing to be convinced). I've moved phals from sphag to bark and they seem to suffer little to no root loss. Perhaps we could get a phal expert to chime in on this point.... it's something that I've always been curious about. I have had phals that stall when repotted, but never any that have suffered a complete or severe root death.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

- J

sii · #2 09-08-2010, 07:09 PM

I've learned the hard way when it comes to potting in moss. I almost lost a couple. After I repotted in bark, some of my little ones stopped growing roots. I don't know if it was a shock/adjustment for them. I've put them into tiny pots and check them almost every day. Since the weather has cooled off a bit, they are close to an open window almost all day. I'm a terrible overwaterer and so now I spray water just above the roots. But I'm no expert by any stretch...

johnblagg · #3 09-08-2010, 09:30 PM

If you do best with bark ...and it sounds like that is the medium you are comfortable with since that is what you have your others in ...then repot into bark.

I never have a problem repotting even when they are in bloom.Take yor time be gental and water sparingly the fist week or so dont let it dry out so much as just a touch dryer untill roots heal from the transfer.

Lagoon · #4 09-08-2010, 10:17 PM

I've not had any orchid die off from going from sphag to bark, the growth may slow alil but this is just adjustment time in my opinion.
Why go with one or the other anyways? 50% bark with 50% sphag works very well. 50% sphag - 50% perlite (works wonderfully!)

Phals do love coir, if this is an option for you 60% coir, 15% rice hulls, 15% perlite the rest charcoal or add more coir -- isn't this fun

Don't stress out about the LT, this is a hobby and its supposed to be fun

johnblagg · #5 09-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Phals do love coir, if this is an option for you 60% coir, 15% rice hulls, 15% perlite the rest charcoal or add more coir -- isn't this fun

ahh my favorite medium is rice hulls ...pure rice hulls grows wonderfull phals for me and is soo easy to move into and repot later ...wonderfull stuff and LOL for me being in rice country free

Lady Tottington · #6 09-09-2010, 02:40 PM

Thanks all, very very much! Hopefully I can figure this out and not kill them.

Jennyfleur · #7 09-09-2010, 03:02 PM

Hmm, I can't really add anything to the discussion (as I think all I could've said has been said by everyone else!). However, I've been so absolutely glued to reading this thread since I logged on, I can't wait to see how you get on!

Good luck!

thakshila smith · #8 09-11-2010, 12:56 AM

The leaves of my phals died for me some time ago. But roots were there growing nicely around the edge. It did a miracle. Later on Leaves pop up again .
John , Can I believe your rice hulls story ? Never heard of it.

johnblagg · #9 09-11-2010, 08:09 AM

Im hurt ....LOL...yes you can repotme even sells them.BUt I will go get pictures of how well they do .I have a friend thet is a phal addict and is actually fairly challenged when it comes to potted plants, and I go every so often on a maitanince visit to make sure they are not bone dry or sitting in a bucket of water drowning...and for all his extraems from one to the other the phals grow great .....I was just there yesterday to check and this summers growth is astounding....I will go get pics

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Lady Tottington · #10 09-12-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnblagg

Im hurt ....LOL...yes you can repotme even sells them.BUt I will go get pictures of how well they do .I have a friend thet is a phal addict and is actually fairly challenged when it comes to potted plants, and I go every so often on a maitanince visit to make sure they are not bone dry or sitting in a bucket of water drowning...and for all his extraems from one to the other the phals grow great .....I was just there yesterday to check and this summers growth is astounding....I will go get pics

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K... please tell me more about rice hulls! That photo you linked to of the monster phal is just that!!! HUGE! OMG. I can't get over that. That has to be a like 10-12" pot, no? Are your phals planted in a combo of bark with rice hulls? or?? How do they help? Where to get? My lord, I have dreams of having a phal grow that big. Seriously. Tell me more!