Phal potting medium change

[missfitxo993]

Hi everyone, I have been into orchids sonce 2007. The only one that I find hard to care for is Phal. Have wild orchids from rainforest to hybrid and haven't killed any. I like Phal though it do not like me.
I bought 12 phals and their potting medium is coco coir/peat potted in soft clear plastic container. I have checked the first five and the roots are very bad most are black and mushy. I repotted it in clay pot with holes around and i used coco husk chips, charcoal and some sphagnum moss mixture though there is only 2 small roots aroubd 1.5 inch left, sone have more but 3 have only 2. The other 7 have very good roots and firm leaves.
Now I would like to ask will this chamge of potting medium affect the Phal? I am in the Phil and I grow the phals in my Balcony facing East. The 7 with hood roots are in bloom the other 5 with bad toots I cut the spike to help the plant get more roots and leaves. Their leaves are a bit soft but green. Thanks

[lexusnexus]

I use a commercial bark mixture for my phals. I don't like sphagnum moss because I found that it compacts over time (and turns an ugly brown, but that is visual only). Cleaning the old moss from all the roots is a pain as well. But this is just my personal choice and opinion. Please get other thoughts before making the decision for yourself.

[Ray]

The key is making sure they get LOTS of air flow to the root system, while maintaining a good moisture supply.

The roots that died suffocated. Use a more open mix and they'll thrive in your conditions.

[RandomGemini]

Did I read right that you are in the Philippines? Many Phal species are native to your country. I bet you could grow these mounted on a piece of cork or tree fern outdoors and they would thrive.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Ray

The key is making sure they get LOTS of air flow to the root system, while maintaining a good moisture supply.

The roots that died suffocated. Use a more open mix and they'll thrive in your conditions.

I ditto this! As I think I posted, tho can not find it, when I pot my Phals, I use 2/3 bark mix at the bottom and 1/3 good NZ Sphagnum at the top. Cept for very small ones I pot in just the moss.

And, I made 3-4- additional openings around the bottom perimeter of plastic pots for increased air circulation so the medium can dry more evenly. I do this using two knives I keep just for this purpose. I heat the blades on the gas flame and open triangles using one, then the other when the first one cools.

Remember, the good clay orchid pots I use for my big Catts have open slots for a reason!

And never follow doctrinaire, rigid rules re watering. You should, over time, get a handle on your growing conditions, what works for you and that becomes even individual plant specific, and even that changes, depending on the time of the year temps,humidity, light conditions, etc. unless you are growing in a controlled environment. And, you will!!!!!

I will put up a pic of one of my opaque Phal pots (I still grow many in clear plastic) showing my "openings." You can burn openings in plastic pots as high as you want! This pic came out too lite, sorry, I was in a rush.