Phalaenopsis Bellina

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hello:
I recently aquired this orchid and I am very happy that it is producing new growth. However, I am trying to figure out the best way to pot. Since it has a hanging habit, it won't sit in the pot well. The roots constantly creep to the top of the pot so the plant can hang downward. Is this okay or shoit I attempt to mount it?
I've never mounted an orchid and honestly, I am not sure I have the time to care for a mounted plant.
Also, it grows in shade but it does get a half hour of moring sun which burned the leaf. My hybrides were fine with this so to anyone growing a Bellia- any direct sun will burn the leaves.
I've included some pictures. So, should it be mounted and if so, how?
Thanks!!!

[Mr.Fakename]

Growing mounted is a tricky thing without the proper conditions. I tried mounting a bellina last year and failed due to low humidity.
It's possible but risky, and your plant looks healthy so killing it would suck.

I grow Phal bellina and violacea in pots, and compensate their weight with lava rocks in the bottom.
Not only does it prevent the pot from falling, it also gives lots of space and a nice airflow; so the plant can be constantly moist without being saturated. (included pics)

A concern with hanging orchids is the point of contact between the underside of the leaves and the plastic, it's a good idea to put something to avoid damage.

[Roberta]

Consider a basket (wood or plastic) instead of mounting. Don't pack the sphagnum too tightly, then it will tend to dry out and let air get to the roots. Let it get to just damp before watering again, not bone dry. You'll get a similar "airy" effect but will be a lot easier to maintain than if it were mounted.

[Leafmite]

I always have liked the look of bellina mounted and hanging downward so this spring, when it was in need of new moss, I potted my bellina in one of my basket pots and hung it on its side. I water it by setting it in a saucer of water for a few hours.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thank you all.Lots of good advice. To you who sent pic's, your plants look so healthy. Mr. Fakename, how do you grow yours?The leafe color is so green. Do you put them outside in summer? I put mine out in shady conditions with about 30 mins of am sun but the leaf burned and the others turned a very light green. My hybrids were fine so maybe the species are more sensitive? This is my first species and I don't want to harm my Bellina.

[Mr.Fakename]

Nothing special here really, they're just on a bathroom counter-top!

They get plenty of indirect light through the day and I open the window for heat and airflow.
Nights are chilly here so I don't leave them outside, ideally you should avoid nightly temperatures inferior to 20°C (~70°F); or they'll sulk pretty badly.

What you have is not a sunburn, just an old leaf dropping. Are you fertilising enough?
Bellina are often found growing in the canopy where they get a lot of light, yours looks perfectly fine.

[DirtyCoconuts]

You can also do a bunch of different things to make mounts a bit wetter depending on the conditions

You can add sphag or coir, wrap the outside of the riot area with hygrolon, you can attach a few strips of a punkier wood( I use the old slats from really old baskets) and use those as like moist sticks in the mount. Adding a bunch of shredded mulch in a nylon pouch works for some of my mounted phals


I grow in major humidity but I also like to experiment. If your climate is just too dry then don’t Ma nature, but envelopes can be pushed

---------- Post added at 09:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------

Oh, I forgot to mention, I do not grow this plant but I grow P gigantea and it is the ultimate expression of this growth habit. Lol