Growing phalaenopsis in perlite (picture heavy)

[Helene]

Well, I have grown plants in perlite before- not orchids though.
I know some people says this perlite is no good, because its small. I dont agree, but guess time will tell😜 It keeps the whole pot moist, but still got plenty of air- I dont water the perlite from above, I let the water find its way up.

But then again- I dont want to test it with my pretty orchids, so I am testing this with two damaged minis and a keiki. Not the best way to test, cause they might die and then I cant tell if it was the perlite or if they would have died anyway.

Earlier I have used pots with inner pots, and the roots have grown into the depot. The plants have really liked being kept that way. Now I do the easy and cheap way- a tray under normal plastic pots. Might change that later if this works out fine.

The plants:


Not in very good shape


One has some rot, not sure if s/h is the best thing, but well, lets see how it works


The sun burnt this one really bad last year, but its got a new leaf coming, and still got some roots.



This looks pretty okay- but the roots got some rot. The one with the black spot…


The keiki- a bit unhappy- gonna be fun to see if it gets better or worse


Well, this is gonna be fun


The reason I want to try this is because many of my orchids really like being wet, but its a hassle bathing them every day and emptying water. (Okay- not every day, and sometimes I forget to empty water so they sit in water for maybe a day or two, and then I empty)
Like this one




Will update when something happens, good or bad😎👍🏻