No Phals On Ice

[Hiester]

Just thought I'd share a few images of the mini Phalaenopsis (Fail-Oh-Not-Us) I've been nursing. I've had the plant now since January when it was about to be orphaned, so I agreed to "save" it. So far I haven't done much other than provide general cultural requirements, and importantly I have continued to "lift" the little darling out of the cache pot as well as the plastic liner every few days. Each time I spritz the root ball with very, very dilute fertilizer solution. Eventually I'll tackle that wad of sphagnum moss, but as it is the baby just gently rests inside the pots and it is growing and doing well. I imagine if I hadn't lifted it up and out of that "girdle" it was in it would have been dead by now, or at least all the roots would have turned dark and mushy.

[WhiteRabbit]

Good job

[RosieC]

Looking good!

[james mickelso]

Kewl. Good save. The moss isn't an issue as long as the roots can breathe and aren't kept soaked.

[Cntry]

The roots look very healthy. Great save, you should have a very pretty orchid flower next year by the way it looks now.

[Hiester]

A group photo before I install a new rack system over the window in the background. I'm also going to replace the fluorescent fixture from the ceiling in the refurbish. The natural light comes from the west (to the left) and the northwest (behind). This area in my kitchen will allow for cool nighttime temperatures this winter since I don't keep a heating unit going in this room. Daytime is generally about 68-70ºF and nighttime is about 55-60º but occasionally slightly cooler. I've tried to keep the orchids in the cool to intermediate temperature ranges.

(Please ignore the p**p stained brown woodwork. There is natural oak under the paint, which I hope to expose next spring. I'm also going to "whitewash" the fake wood paneling during the redo. One room at a time, right?)