Chunky old Den Phal thriving in ... gravel?!?

[mexicowpants]

Me again... My massive old Den Phal (possibly Sonia) has been positively thriving since I acquired it around a year ago, and has recently started to make a bid for freedom - it now has roots trailing down the outside of its pot. Repotting now imminent.
Here's the thing... It's potted in what would seem to be common building site gravel. Yep, gravel. But it seems to like it. A lot. Go figure.
Question is... What the hell should o repot it in? If it's happy in gravel, should I just repot in pure gravel? Or would it do better in something else? Or would changing the medium freak it out?

Another, possibly related, question - I've noticed that a few of the leaves on newer growths are slightly split from the tip along the centre line... What would be the cause of this (my not-so-educated guess would be over- or under-watering)?

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[Leafmite]

Instead of disturbing the roots, I would drop the entire thing into a larger pot and then fill with more gravel. Or you could even gently break the pot (the roots are likely stuck to the sides of the pot) and carefully drop it in (with the broken pot shards still attached). Then add more stone. With stone, you can use a larger pot and not worry about the roots rotting. Good luck!

[fishmom]

One of the best growers in my orchid society grows in gravel exclusively, and very successfully, too! As long as you can keep up with the watering, it works beautifully. I would follow Leafmite's second plan, thus giving the existing roots a bit more room to spread out if they so desire.

The heavy rock improves the balance of a tall den like that also.

I can't speak to the split leaves, but I can see only one dry tip, which indicates to me that your watering has been pretty much on target. It's a beautiful plant!

[estación seca]

I wonder whether there is sphagnum moss interspersed with the rocks. Most "lithophytic" plants don't actually grow on bare rock; they grow in moss and detritus cushions less than an inch / 2.5cm deep. This shades roots from extreme heat during dry times and retains a lot of water, yet permits excellent aeration.

[mexicowpants]

Can't see any traces of moss between the stones... Maybe there was originally, but there definitely hasn't been for at least a year. I think I'm gonna follow leafmite's advice and try to break the pot apart a bit before sinking it into a bigger pot with more gravel. We seem to have its watering regime down to a tee right now, so why disturb the balance?

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[Optimist]

One thing I love about gravel is that when you repot, you do not need to disturb the roots and dislodge the old gravel. All you need to do is place it in a larger pot and put more gravel around it. I have several of my plants growing in rocks, often black or red lava. When I think they need more moisture, I just put the center part of gravel inside a ring of bark, and problem solved.

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

yet permits excellent aeration.

"yet permits excellent aeration." To me that is the crucial thing. You prevent good aeration at your peril.

---------- Post added at 06:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Optimist

One thing I love about gravel is that when you repot, you do not need to disturb the roots and dislodge the old gravel. All you need to do is place it in a larger pot and put more gravel around it. I have several of my plants growing in rocks, often black or red lava. When I think they need more moisture, I just put the center part of gravel inside a ring of bark, and problem solved.

This is fine, if you are growing in pure rock. You simply cann't overwater because there is nothing to retain water. However, as time passes, if you have moss between the rocks as in the image, then that moss will compact, the rocks will settle, and all the air spaces will be crushed out of existance.
If there is no moss, it still has to be remembered that old roots die and decompose, filling the air spaces with compost.
Every now and then, it seems to me that even pure rock systems have to be maintained and repotted.

[Fairorchids]

Orchids can be grown in (almost) anything, as long as you adjust your watering & fertizing schedule accordingly.

I recently received some Laelia anceps from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, which were in plastic pots with all rocks (1"-1.1/2" size). They were doing fine, but to fit in with the rest of my collection, they are now in clay pots with a bark/charcoal mix. And, they are growing fine this spring.

[derv88]

Your media is likely what is called Stalite. I use it all the time with success. More info here:

Stalite

[mexicowpants]

Nope, definitely gravel. However, stalite sounds like pretty interesting stuff... god only knows where I'd find it round my neck of the woods, though.

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