Display & re-pot a phalaenopsis

[topiarybud]

[Cym Ladye]

I do not know if you had a question or were just showing the forum your planting technique. In any case, I would never use spagnum moss for a phal or any other genera in a pot. Bark is just fine, not so tedious to handle and far cheaper as you mentioned.

[RandomGemini]

This phal is not thriving.

It should have 10 or more pencil thick roots to support leaves of that size. It looks like you suffer from a lot of root loss between repotting, which tells me that the plant is being kept too moist, probably just from using the moss as a medium.

It's a neat potting method, but the plant isn't happy with it, so you should switch to something that allows for more air flow around the roots, like the bark that was suggested.

[lotis146]

I'm not anti or pro moss. Even from my limited experience I've discovered the truth behind "to each his own" with regard to medium. When I visited Hausermann's Greenhouse I believe ALL of their Phals were potted in moss, and after buying several then repotting a few, they weren't all that loose. Having been in this moss I know is what saved them from my not watering for over 3 weeks. One of my Dtps. from them in moss is thriving.

At the same time I've repotted a couple of Phals from moss to bark/coconut coir and suffered a few dead flowers, minimal growth. I know plants have to adapt when their medium is changed but for me straight bark does not automatically equal a happy plant. But then again this may be due to my not adapting to their increased water needs as well.

That said I do agree that losing that many roots is not a good thing as I think topiary bud knows. But it does seem that for it to grow as many roots as it <i> has </i> since being repotted suggests some degree of "happiness"...IMHO...

I do wonder about the use of the "tight" pack of moss in the middle of the plant. While sure moss that is more tight will hold less water that doesn't keep it from holding water period while this does restrict the air flow that is penetrating the center of this plant. And it may well expand over time. So looking at the picture prior to repot one has to wonder about the newer healthy roots on top, living roots at the bottom and the lack of healthy roots in the middle...

Pretty plant btw!!

[tarev]

Nice set-up though personally for me I am not a fan of sphagnum moss.

I see your location is Taiwan, so maybe the weather there helps the plant grow very well too.

Thanks for sharing!

[merkity]

since you repotted the phal after it bloomed, was it one you already had or one that you just acquired in bloom? pretty flowers.

[topiarybud]

a

[MattWoelfsen]

Your thread provides a good example of why it really doesn't matter what potting media is used, but how you provide moisture to the plant. I have killed many Phalaenopsis potted in bark, bark and sphagnum, sphagnum, coir, etc. Over time, I have overcome my ignorance regarding potting media--I have many Phalaenopsis in different potting media and they are healthy. I have learned how and when to water my plants in the most efficacious way.

People who express bias against growing a plant based on a specific potting media is limiting their options for optimal growth and success. Or to say it in another way, if you can grow any Phalaenopsis in all kinds of potting media, in pots or mounted, you can consider yourself a successful Phalaenopsis grower.

[tarev]

Topiarybud, that is the aspect of sphagnum moss that does not sit well with me..monitoring how wet it is. But it does work with some much more moisture needy orchids. At least you found what works for your plants. And that is all that matters

I have learned to adjust my watering regimen depending on the season, and the importance of air circulation all over the plant.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I am not normally a fan of sphagnum moss for Phalaenopsis. But, the last 2 pictures in topiarybud's initial post shows that he is getting leaf growth and root growth. So, in this case, the results so far suggest that he is achieving some success.

When I see beginners that are growing in sphagnum, and their plants are showing signs of plant stress or root loss, I usually recommend switching to bark. I do know some growers that grow plants almost exclusively in moss. For me, it would not work (my conditions include several months outdoors each year, with plants sometimes exposed to drenching rain, so the roots stay too wet).

Topiarybud, I do not know if you are experienced, or a beginner, but this culture seems to be working for you, in your conditions. It seems you are managing your water very well, which is very important. Best of luck to you, I wish you continued success. Keep us posted, let us know how this plant is doing in a few months!