Haraella retrocalla question
 

I have recently acquired an Haraella retrocalla, having happily spotted it at a show last month. It was in sphagnum moss at purchase and the only change I have made is to move it from a plastic pot to a plastic net pot and put that inside a slatted wood basket. A second flower has opened so I assume it is happy. Having read that Haraella prefer intermediate temps, I am growing it indoors and water when the moss becomes just slightly moist. I have considered mounting it on treefern to better accommodate the rather pendent inflorescences but hesitate to disturb it. Thoughts appreciated.

If you are not comfortable growing in moss then you may repot it....
You have good instinct to grow Haraella on slatted wooden baskets to accommodate its small stature and show off the somewhat pendent inflorescences. The plants prefer Phalaenopsis-like conditions: intermediate temperatures (55 to 65 F), medium light intensity, maintain evenly moist around the roots with constant air movement.
In climates with long hot or excessively warm humid periods, Haraella should be kept on the cool side, near a bowl of water or swamp cooler, to prevent heat stress and resultant bacterial rots. Provided the plants have robust root systems and receive sufficient ventilation, Haraellas may be watered frequently. They should not be allowed to dry out for extended periods.

As far as "disturbing" it, since acquiring mine last summer it has been removed from the mount it came on and moved at least 3 times to different spots in my paludarium. In that time it's thrown 3 spikes of two flowers each not including the one it had when I got it! I keep it constantly moist and in low to moderate lighting.

Thanks very much, Bud. I appreciate the response. I really don't want to repot it. Was just wondering if anyone is growing them in sphagnum. I am somewhat concerned about root rot, hence my thought about mounting it.

I have a couple growing in sphag in tiny clay pots - another in chc in a tiny clay pot. All are doing fine. I do have a small bit of styro in the centers, to facilitate even drying.

I also use a small bit of styro to prop the spikes ;)

I have 2, both growing indoors in Miami, one is mounted directly on the hygrolon and inside the tall vase, one is mounted on the little slab, both are doing absolutely great, both spiking for past 5 months, one has 4 spikes opening constantly, one has 3 spikes opening constantly. I do keep them moist at all times, do not let dry completely, the one on hygrolon is really moist, the one mounted gets misted pretty much every day. I do fertilize them weakly every 2 weeks or so. I do prefer them mounted for sure, and the roots appreciated it a lot, the new roots grow really fast and gets attach to mount also very fast. Good luck with yours!

Subrosa, thanks so much. That's great info. These must be fairly hardy for such delicate little plants.

---------- Post added at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

Many thanks, WR. That's what I was hoping to hear! Gotta love this forum!

---------- Post added at 07:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

Tommy, your success with mini's that I never dreamed I could grow here is what made my decision to give Haraella a try. Thank you for the culture tips!

"Tommy, your success with mini's that I never dreamed I could grow here is what made my decision to give Haraella a try. Thank you for the culture tips!"
You are very welcome:-) Any time you need some tips, I will be more than happy to answer, my mini's are growing really well, and we are at the same zone, so yours should be happy too:-)

moving this to Vanda alliance.

I completely ignore mine and it loves it lol