Why on earth do people water their phals with ice cubes?

[jkofferdahl]

As Ray said, there is evidence (I would call it anecdotal at best) that the ice cube method can work. Typically, when Ray says something I give it respect. In this case, though, I believe that more orchids have been killed by using the ice cube method than have survived. It's hard to see the logic of putting a frozen object onto a plant from the tropics, even while Ray's explanation makes sense. Somehow it feels like the same logic would say that if your orchid is too cold you should stick it in the microwave. (I wonder what a microwave would do to an orchid!)

Since the main selling point of the process, per Ray's interpretation, is to avoid overwatering a plant potted in sphagnum, I would say that it makes more sense to learn to water carefully - or to repot the plant into bark.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Since the main selling point of the process, per Ray's interpretation, is to avoid overwatering a plant potted in sphagnum, I would say that it makes more sense to learn to water carefully - or to repot the plant into bark.

I would think that people would be more inclined to overwater more often than not using straight moss. I know I did in the beginning.

[bil]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

I would think that people would be more inclined to overwater more often than not using straight moss. I know I did in the beginning.

Well, it's one of the reasons I always advise beginners to use coarse bark. IMO you need real experience to grow phals in moss, and that's something a beginner simply doesn't have.