Quote:
Originally Posted by dreamynights
About the pots, I have been looking at those orchid pots with holes on the side. Im wondering if certain mediums go better with certain pots? Like would moss be better for orchid pots because it allows for more air in the moss? Also would you put the clear plastic pots into the orchid pots or is that weird because then there is no point to having holes on the sides of the orchid pots.
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Certain pots do work differently with different media as some breath or have more air holes than others. I put clear well drained pots in my ornamental pots when the plant is in bloom and I want to display it. That's when I use the 'orchid pots'. The holes in them still allow good aeration to the holes in the clear plastic pots. There was a recent thread here on someone using them alone for all their orchids and they are quite happy with them.
---------- Post added at 11:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingersmommy
Hi everyone,
I have 14 phals and a few other assorted orchids, however, phals are my favorite. I have been fighting mealy bugs with the orchids I have in one room. Finally got some Bayer's Rose spray and I think I have them licked. Because of the mealys, I recently repotted all of my orchids in new medium, sprayed the plants, microwaved the pots to make sterile and cleaned the area where I have them. I sprayed them again after a couple of weeks. I purchased Miracle Grow Orchid mix and was surprised to find that it is very similar to regular potting soil. (?) Is this okay? Prior to this, I had them in bark and would water them once a week, but I think they were too dry. When I repotted them, I was surprised to find that they didn't have very many good roots. Many of the roots were dry and flat. They are in a very bright window. I water them with quarter strenght fertilizer each watering, and first flush them with lots of plain water. I have them on a humidity tray and have a small fan on them during the day. Lastly, I have never gotten them to perform like when I purchased them, and I am pretty much confounded as to why. I have never had multiple spikes on one plant, etc. They really are my passion, but I don't know what I am doing wrong. FYI, we do keep our house pretty cold - 62 at night and 66 during the day, plus they are about a foot from a window. Can anyone help!?
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Many find that the fine Miracle Grow media is not suitable for orchids other than maybe a few that do grow in soil like conditions. This thread is a long one but there are many tips and info to be found if you skim thru it. If your bark chunks were too dry, you could try adding a bit of sphagnum moss in which would retain moisture better. also when you water, flush lots of water thru the pot or soak them in water for 20 mins and then drain well before placing back in their spot. If you use clear pots you can see when the roots turn silvery white which means they are dry and it is time to water. when they are green, they are still wet. It could be a little cool by the window at those temps for Phals. they are tropical plants that prefer fairly warm temps except for a few weeks in the fall when cool induces many of them to bloom. They are also not lovers of high light but more medium light levels. You may find they never perform as good as when it came from the store as in our homes it is nearly impossible to imitate the perfect growing conditions of a humid airy greenhouse where everything is formulated for maximum bloom. A spike once a year is acceptable and normal and some produce more blooms than others.
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