How to water a hanging Phal - Orchid Board

jonathonseymour · #1 12-09-2011, 04:31 PM

I am new to orchids and saw a few people leaving the roots of their orchids exposed. I thought I would try but I'm not sure how often I should be watering. I have been watering at least once a day.

zxyqu · #2 12-09-2011, 04:35 PM

If those roots are from an originally potted media, they'll likely prefer to stay moist for longer periods. Is there a reason you didn't put any media in the basket? You'll obviously have to close off the bottom, but a little coco fiber and then some sphag/bark should do. They should do ok, but I think in general that this is a Vanda trend, but Phals are in the same group, so maybe they'll take to it like a mount. But I'd recommend some sort of base media for the roots be in sphag or bark within the basket.

jonathonseymour · #3 12-09-2011, 04:44 PM

The main reason I didn't use a media was because I live in a dorm room and the moss made a big mess. I have just been filling up a bucket and letting the roots soak in the water while I get chores done. I make sure not to let any water reach the leaves. Is this ok?

zxyqu · #4 12-09-2011, 04:58 PM

Like I said above, I've really only seen this method with Vanda orchids, but I dont see why it wouldn't work for Phals. My concern is the change in evironment for the roots if they were initially potted in a media, and are not exposed. If this is the case the roots modify themselves for the environment as they grow, and don't survive when this environment is changed dramatically (potentially like here, going from wet often and not a lot of air, ie the pot, to a very open situation with water only once a day, ie the basket.
I think you can make this setup not messy by closing off the bottom of the basket with coco husk fiber, or something similar, and putting some media to hold moisture in the basket.

jonathonseymour · #5 12-09-2011, 05:04 PM

Going Christmas shopping today. Looks like I'm picking up some coconut husk and moss while I'm out. Thank you for the advice.

zxyqu · #6 12-09-2011, 05:09 PM

Make sure it's fiber, not husk chips. the fiber helps relatively seal the bottom of the basket, keeping the media inside. Husk chips if big enough could serve this purpose, but fiber is better. See here for what I'm talking about:
Orchid Mix, Potting Soil, Growing Mediums, Organic Orchid Mix
and see the coco fiber towards the bottom.