Full Water Culture vs Semi-Hydro

[pforrester1]

I consider myself a newbie, b/c i have only recently really investigated how to grow phalaenopsis orchids.

I have had one white Phal for two years. Got it to rebloom a year later on old spike. Then I brought 4 more home from church after blooms dropped. A year later when the crown just fell off of one while watering I wondered why and began to research. I was surprised to find out they should all have been repotted. So I went out and bought potting mix to repot them all. Then I stumbled upon the water culture sites, youtube, etc. Roots were all a mess and i have one in sphagnbag b/c it has no roots. All the others are doing well in FWC and water stays beautifully clear all week now. It has been nearly 2 months.

I have also bought 5 more and put them in FWC. But I don't like the way the flower spikes and their supports lean out of the pot instead of going straight up like they do when potted in sphag. Would putting them in SemiHydro with the Leca or similar solve that or do I just need to figure out how to support them better...or just get over it?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Potting them in Sphagnum moss or in LECA will not help the spikes grow upwards. That is how the orchids grow naturally.

In the big orchid nurseries, they train those spikes to grow upwards. They use floral wires and bamboo stakes.

[estación seca]

Phal spikes naturally grow horizontally. You must stake them early in growth if you want them upright, and continue tying them to the stake as they elongate. Look at the plants in mass-market retailers.

[pforrester1]

I do have the spikes staked but once they are out of the sphagnum moss the stakes lean over a bit to the edge of the pot I have the bare roots in b/c the loose roots cannot hold the stakes perpendicular so they lean over. It is not terrible I was just wondering if using Leca or something like it would have enough weight to hold the stakes upright. If not it is fine...thanks for your replies.

[Subrosa]

I use net pots and net baskets which fit snugly into the top of the vases I use. The roots hang down into the water and the plant isn't rattling around in the vase.

[pforrester1]

Thanks for the idea.