Quote:
Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)
Regarding the frequency of watering...
Yes, it's true, there is no set "rule" as to how often you should water.
But I do encourage you to look at the link of the Phals growing in the wild again.
I guess I can walk you through why I put it up to begin with.
Look at where the plants are growing. It's on a tree trunk. Doesn't it look evenly moist?
Take a look at it again, pay attention to what's growing on the tree trunk with it. Do you see mosses and lichens? How much moss and lichen is on the tree trunk growing around the Phal? Ask yourself what this implies.
Notice also how the roots have a lot of exposure to air as well as moisture. To me this implies that if you grow it potted, the potting media should be loose and not compact to allow air to the roots so the plant can breathe.
Observe also how dark/bright it is, the plants are obviously growing in shade.
Pay attention to how the plants are positioned, doesn't this tell you that the plant has naturally evolved a way to allow rainwater to go away from the crown just by how it is positioned on the tree?
A photograph is worth a thousand words, but I think it's up to the observer to pay closer attention and really take in what's there.
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I know you've made this point a few times and I think it's important to see how Phals are growing naturally but at the same time i don't think people should get stuck in thinking that's the only, or even the best way of growing them.
You don't need to replicate a Sumatran jungle environment to grow Phals, and you can even grow them better if you don't. Jungles are just one way they grow where a particular mix of environmental conditions meets to suit their particular requirements.
If you can meet their basic requirements in other environments (and you can), then they will grow just as well if not better. If you think of orchids in terms of their biological needs, you don't need to be restricted to just one environment that is expensive to recreate. That's why the Netherlands of all places is one of the world's largest Phalaenopsis producers.. It's not humid, or shady, warm or particularly jungley, but they understand the basic requirements of plants, and they meet them. That's all it's about. Low humidity? not a problem... just supply more water to the root zone. High light? no worries... just keep the plant cool, well watered and supply more nutrients.
Personally i grow them in a city basement, upright, in moderate light, low humidity, no air movement, with roots grown sopping wet and some completely submerged in water. It's about as far removed from a jungle as you can get, but it works just fine.
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