What should pot it In? - Orchid Board

Cattleya17 · #1 10-16-2009, 08:29 PM

Hello

I am getting my Phal Bellina

(finally)

and the place i am ordering from ships bareroot only. so what should i pot it in???? moss, moss and lava, or bark? what have you found to work for you? what do you recommend? thank you all in advance!

~Sam

2ljd · #2 10-17-2009, 12:58 AM

Hi Sam,

It would really depend on your growing conditions, such as light levels, temperature, humidity, air flow, etc. I'll defer to someone in your neck of the woods for specific advice...

Undergrounder · #3 10-17-2009, 05:09 AM

Yes where do you plan on growing it and how much time time are you willing to spend watering it?

Also find out what media they grow theirs in. The plant's roots will be specially adapted to growing in their specific medium and environment. For instance if they grow theirs in bark and you put yours in sphagnum, say goodbye to the roots. If they grow theirs in sphagnum and you change it to bark, say goodbye to the roots.

Cattleya17 · #4 10-17-2009, 10:18 AM

Very true Undergrounder! i will have to ask. its an ebay seller. i personally could devote 2 waterings a week at most. my conditions are stable for now. its getting closer to winter so the heat hasnt really been a constant so the humidity is very good. getting an oscillating fan soon now i only have a very small box fan light levels are strong enough to create buds and allow the buds of a nobile dend and an ascocentrum bloom. so im pretty sure that the light levels are appropriate.

Undergrounder · #5 10-17-2009, 10:53 AM

Well it's ultimately up to you but as far as mediums go in general, my personal preference goes to semi-hydroponics. Especially for indoors growing. I have about a hundred violaceas/bellinas or close hybrids and most of them thrive in the S/H. A few of the smaller violaceas haven't thrived but are growing slowly, but that's the exception IMO.

But if you're getting a mature plant, i would just try and replicate the previous grower's mix (unless (s)he didn't do a very good job of course). Given that violacea and bellina species take a while to establish and really get going, i wouldn't want to shock it any more than i had to.

If it's been well grown and the roots are healthy, ask the ebay seller what they grew it in and get their advice..

Cattleya17 · #6 10-17-2009, 02:48 PM

Yah i just ordered it today and i asked her what she grew in and she said that she grew in moss. its an ebay store with good feedback so i am very hopeful!!!

I have heard great things about S/H. how do you do it???

fotofashion · #7 10-17-2009, 07:49 PM

There is a permanent thread on the subject. Lots of good reading there. It would be too complicated for someone to answer you directly, but the thread will be very helpful.

Beverly A.

Undergrounder · #8 10-18-2009, 04:31 AM

Cattleya for my larger plants i get a tall pot takeaway container, melt a hole in one side about 3/4 of an inch up.

Pot up the plant with LECA (clay aggregate pellets - eg: Hydroton). Pour some water in until it drips out of the hole you made, leaving about an inch of water permanently in the bottom.

Refill the water when it gets low and watch your plant grow!

It's not quite that simple but that's the idea, and it would work well for a plant kept in moss.

Keep in mind though that's just my preference, other people get good results growing them in moss, in bark and mounted. Since you said you don't like to water that often and your keeping them indoors, S/H would be a good choice.. but it's not the only one.

Cattleya17 · #9 10-18-2009, 03:59 PM

I would like to try it but i am afraid! i dont know what to do/ if the plant is used to moss and i put it in bark (which is what i like to grow phals in) wont the roots die? can you mix moss and bark? in a clear pot i would be able to monitor it. i just havent had success with moss indoors. it scares me

quiltergal · #10 10-18-2009, 06:15 PM

I've transplanted many species plants from sphag to a CHC mix which works well in my conditions. The roots didn't rot. In fact they started growing like crazy. If you're comfortable with bark I'd use that. If you put it in Semi Hydro the roots will rot for sure. That's just part of the process. I have several Phals in semi Hydro and while I like it there is a lot of nail biting that goes on while the plant is adjusting. For me the advantages aren't that significant.