Phal in S/H

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Ray

Increasing the hole size will only make "filling the pot rapidly to the top" more difficult, and probably would not cause an appreciable change in air flow.

Thanks Ray.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

How about temperatures and evaporation rate? Any changes there?

This was my first thought on seeing the roots, but MT-Phal said it was on a heat mat.

Mine have shown similar things and one of my phals in S/H deteriorated quite quicky and I didn't notice the problem quickly enough to save it. I am 99% certain the problem was the cold winter and cold temps in my house. The evaporation will be higher with the dry air caused by the central heating, thus increasing evaporative cooling at the same time as the house was probably below optimum anyway for Phals and the evaporation would have lead to an even cooler root zone.

The other two phals in S/H showed similar signs but I think I caught them early enough, by putting them on a heat mat (and the weather is warning anyway).

They had all three done really well over the summer. The change was definately the colder weather and drier house conditions.

But the mention of a heat mat for MT-Phal made me think again. Ray's the expert though!

[MT-Phal]

Yeah, there hasn't been any meaningful change in temperatures between my last apartment and my new one. If anything my new apartment is a tiny bit warmer, and I believe that the heat mat would negate any big changes anyway.

The only thing I can think of is that the water quality of new apartment should be a bit better, as my last apartment had rusty pipes. Evidenced by the water being a tad brown at first when you turn on a spout.

I'm really puzzled.

[Ray]

Any idea of the mineral content of Sherman Oaks water?

It is unlikely, but if it is low, the use of the MSU WW formula could cause the pH to be too low. Residents of NYC use the RO formula for that reason.

[MT-Phal]

Hmm.. that's a good question, Ray. I do not know the mineral content of the water, but I did notice that after a month of not using fertilizer that there was mineral buildup on the top layer of PA that I hadn't seen previously. Should I get RO mix instead, to use with tap water?

My roots are rapidly browning now, it's worrying me.

[Ray]

No, the RO formula actually has more of the solids that would be likely to build up (Ca & Mg). The fact that you saw buildup after stopping fertilizing suggests it's something in the water.

Are these old roots, or have they grown since the plant was put in S/H culture?

[MT-Phal]

Well, to clarify there is usually build up. I just remember being struck this time around by how quickly it seemed to have appeared this time. I could just be making this up, as my old and new apartments are less than a mile away from each other.

These are roots that grew INTO the S/H culture, and right down toward the reservoir.