My phal experiment a year later

[merkity]

the semi-hydroponic? there is a section on here about it - lots more info there, i just borrwoed a bit form there in my attempt to keep the roots from drying out too much in my tank - it gets really warm.

[Bud]

Happy healthy plants! love the spanish moss...while blooming you can put the plant on a windowsill...its warm in the day and the cool nights will not affect it...you dont have frost in SF indoors...my bathroom window doesnt have heat so its freezing at night...I just had to buy those electric ones to help my plants survive in that area

[CharlindaBob]

Originally Posted by merkity

Well, I think its official - I actually can grow phalaenopsis orchids.
thanks to lots of help from members here.

though i seem to have my set up a little backwards....they are all semi hydro in bark....once the roots get long enough i let those ones grow into the water...the biggest one is a rescue from work, i found that when trimming these guys it seems to work better if i leave the middle part of the dead roots attached. i just strip off the outer parts that rot..

I have 3 of these in spike atm - now i have to wait to see which ones they are. one i know is large white phal - the rescue, one should be the color of daffodils and the other might be one the mini phals... and a pic of a mini catt that happened to come home with me recently...

i am going to have a problem with the large white one, i know the spike will be longer than i have room for in the tank...now i have to decide when to pull it from the tank and hope it doesn't go into shock. I would be putting it right on the outside of the tank, the only place I can ensure the correct light exposure... maybe i can build it a little box for warmth...have to think of something.

I love thinking outside of the box. I love to experiment.

[merkity]

the buds flowered! the pink one is sending out a branched spike already and the white is showing signs of branching as well...

[Vanda lover]

Are you saying that you leave them sitting in water and that they are potted in bark?

[CharlindaBob]

Originally Posted by merkity

the buds flowered! the pink one is sending out a branched spike already and the white is showing signs of branching as well...

That is GREAT news! Glad that is working out for you.

I also am very unconventional as I have several Phalaenopsis growing in whiffle balls on a 2' stand. The roots are inside the ball and the extra space is filled with 1" squares of sponge. Only been 2 months, but looking good. Plant is mounted on the side of the ball and leaves are starting to slowly hang in a more natural way....

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by CharlindaBob

That is GREAT news! Glad that is working out for you.

I also am very unconventional as I have several Phalaenopsis growing in whiffle balls on a 2' stand. The roots are inside the ball and the extra space is filled with 1" squares of sponge. Only been 2 months, but looking good. Plant is mounted on the side of the ball and leaves are starting to slowly hang in a more natural way....

What is a whiffle ball?

[CharlindaBob]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

What is a whiffle ball?

The "whiffle balls" that I am using are plastic softball size balls with many 1/2" holes in them. They are hollow and I am experimenting. To water, I dip the whole plant, leaves, crown and all into a tub of rainwater about twice a week. My plants are outside on a shaded side of the house that never gets direct sunshine. Been doing this for two months now and no ill effects yet...

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by CharlindaBob

The "whiffle balls" that I am using are plastic softball size balls with many 1/2" holes in them. They are hollow and I am experimenting. To water, I dip the whole plant, leaves, crown and all into a tub of rainwater about twice a week. My plants are outside on a shaded side of the house that never gets direct sunshine. Been doing this for two months now and no ill effects yet...

I know what you mean now. I used to give those to my parrot to play with. That sounds like an experiment that should work.

[merkity]

whiffle balls - neat thats a good idea. mine are inside though - so the bark works well. i try to keep the bottom 1/4 to 1/2 of the pot in water. so far they are pretty happy.