Bare Root Method for Phals
 

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if you had any thoughts, opinions or experience in the bare root method, where you soak a phal for 2 days and leave it to dry for 3 days.

I currently have a phal that is not producing any roots and its been that way for about 6 months now.

Its winter here now, and I was wondering of bare root method is okay for my area if the humidity is relatively low about 40-50% and the sun doesn't stay out for long.

Thanks :)

I do this with Phals and other orchids that are having root problems. Mostly as a way to bring plants with few roots and which have shriveled back into good health and root growth again. I soak the roots daily, soak time is variable, but the more dehydrated it is, the longer I like to soak it until the roots and leaves return to a less dehydrated state.

The only plants that I grow full-time this way are Vandas (works well, a.k.a. 'vase culture'). I have heard of growing Phals this way, but have not tried it (I have a NOID Phal that I might try this on).

If you try it, let us know how it works out.

I once saw a great display of phals all hanging from the ceiling with their roots out like Medusa's hair on a bad day.

This is why I get sarky about moss with phals. Phals don't NEED media, and they get on perfectly well without it. Media is something we use for our convenience so that we can water them a couple of times a week, and not several times a day.

There is a limit to the amount of water a phal can hold, and after that point, every minute in the water is waste of time.
There is also a limit to the amount of time that a phal can hang there losing water before damage is done. Bear in mind that on a hot day with the wind blowing steadily, that time period is massively shortened compared to a still, cool humid day.

I'd also be very careful where you hang them as your post sugggests you will have them out in the open. Full sun will cremate a phal in a very short period of time.

If I try the vase method with a NOID Phal, the plant will be in shade outdoors and watered daily, or indoors, also watered daily.

bil, you will be thrilled (I'm sure) to hear that the NOID I may experiment on with vase culture was given to me in moss. Since it is not going into bark, 'barkista' does not really apply. I'll just say the plant is 'spacing out' for now.

I have several phals in FWC (full water culture), that is, with the tips of the roots submerged in water all the time. They are all happy, growing like crazy - roots, leaves and blooms. One of them even has a little keiki.
I started with 2 days in water, 3 without, but soon changed to having them in water all the time, just because it's more confortable for me. The only drawback is the growth of algae, but it's just aesthetic, it does not harm the phal - and they are easily cleaned under the tap.

I have ten phals all growing in vases without media. Some are grown with a large piece of maple tree bark that the roots can attach to. the oldest has been grown this way for three years the rest for two. All 10 have rebloomed for me and have roots growing down into the vase and outside the vase. I water once a week with a weak fert. I water by filling the vase with water and letting them sit for an hour then dumping the water out. It is so easy to grow this way I'm not sure why anyone would grow in media. Jack

Well, my reasons why I grow in media are simple. The plants are easier to move and store in the winter, and I am getting old. Lifting and emptying vases is heavy work.

Happy Saturday!
I am curious about this as I am an experimenter. Can you post a picture of what it looks like? No big deal, only if it is convenient.

Thanks!
Jen


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Bare roots
 

Sorry for the delay
Roots growing outside of vasehttp://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...145318_hdr.jpg
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Roots growing inside vase
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...145351_hdr.jpg
New leaf coming in.
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[IMG]http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...145431_hdr.jpg[/IMG]
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Old stem attached to a rod for support.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/...145411_hdr.jpg[/IMG]

I'd like to try the vase method with a small phal that's ready for repotting. Is it necessary to stabilize the plant in the vase, or will it be ok until the roots fill in? How do you stabilize it if that's necessary? Thanks to you-all for sharing your expertise and photos!