potting media for frequently watered phals?

[greengarden]

I think I have worked out why I always kill phals and it is because they don't fit well with my watering regime and are either over or under watered as a result. So what can i pot them in that will allow me to water them more often(every 2-3 days)? I'd like to use lava rock but we can't get it here so i'm wondering about either terracotta chips or small river pebbles?

Any suggestions?

[vjo]

Have you looked at a garden center or a landscaping supply place for lava rock.That is where I found mine.....Jean

[greengarden]

We can't get it in this state. Next time I head down to Victoria I can buy some but it is quarried down there whereas it isn't up here so it makes it expensive fr the garden centres to ship up so they don't get it.

[Stray59]

Can you get Perlite - that also helps. If not, the terracotta chips should work well, or just add clean (boiled) gravel - anything that will not absorb water and will allow air flow should work well!
Otherwise you will have to reduce your watering and instead of watering the plant, just mist it, or wet the pot and the surrounding area to increase humidity, without adding water to the pot.
Let us know what works for you!
Steve

[greengarden]

The problem is I am trying to water them less but then forgetting about them and letting them dry out too much LOL. Hopeless! That's whay i need to get them on to a more similiar regime to some of my others so they don't get forgotten!

Is there any reason I shouldn't use the grey gravel they use to build roads? There is a council tip out behind our house and there are huge piles of it there, they wouldn't miss a small scoop

[Leafmite]

I haven't tried other rock but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[greengarden]

Hmmm, maybe I'll go out this evening and grab a bucket of it and give it a try on a couple of my noID rescue ones, they are in good condition but I'd rather test it on them before trying it on my named ones that I specifically chose. If it works I might give it a go on a few of my Oncids too and see how they like it!

[Stray59]

The drainage would be great with this, the only problem is it will be very alkaline - usually this is crushed limestone or similar - You can offset this with adding acidic medium to it, but watch the experimental plants and see how they fare - let us know!
Steve

[greengarden]

It's crushed bluestone I think in it's finer form used for seating fence posts, etc we call it 'metal dust'. I'll look into the pH of it but I might just give it a go anyway.

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by greengarden

It's crushed bluestone I think in it's finer form used for seating fence posts, etc we call it 'metal dust'. I'll look into the pH of it but I might just give it a go anyway.

I heard those who grow Catts are really fond of lava rock but I tried it with Phals and recently I discontinued using it. The reason - it's hard to check the level of moisture with the skewer against the rock. Some of the roots actually got attached to lava rock placed in a centre as it holds some moisture, and eventually rotted.

I wouldn't use other rocks with nothing else added as my concern would be hurting the roots. Phals grow on trees, not on rocks.
I've recently switched to coconut fibers found in a pet store and now I water every 2-3 days. I'm not sure if I like the frequency as opposed to using the bark mix but Phals tender growing roots seem to enjoy it.
The only drawback with coconut fibers - the mix requires extensive soaking and rinsing (5-6 days in a row) to get rid of salt deposits. Still I think it's worth it.

My 2

Lilia