Phal Potting Medium - Orchid Board

lexusnexus · #1 03-09-2014, 09:36 PM

I think my head is about to burst from all the orchid information I've tried to absorb over the past few days. It's truly been like trying to drink from a fire hose. Now to the question. I purchased 2 phals at the Philly Flower Show this past Thursday. One I have had good luck getting to rebloom in the past, and the other is a new one to me (like most all orchids). I will need to replant them because it looks like they are currently potted in moss. What medium would be the best? I know, I know, post pictures. I will when I have enough posts. Thanks...

BTW. The one I had the success with died. Not from mismanagement, rather I had to live at my partner's house for 3 months because of complications from surgery. So, I wasn't home to water and feed it.

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-10-2014, 04:51 PM

What did you have your previous Phal potted in? If that worked well for you, I would use the same again.

I've done best with Phals potted in medium (the chunkier, the better for me) fir bark mix. Pre-soak bark before using. Even after a good soak, fresh bark will dry quickly for several weeks, so will need to be watered more frequently.

lexusnexus · #3 03-10-2014, 10:49 PM

Hi Sonya. Unfortunately, when I purchased the Phal the nursery repotted it for me before I left. And, at that time, I wasn't smart enough to ask questions.

james mickelso · #4 03-12-2014, 10:09 PM

I'm not a fan of sphagnum moss but I repot phals into from time to time. As long as it is not potted into it too tightly it is a good medium. I also pot phals into a bark mix like Sonya. I like the air flow through it and have good luck with it. Your choice. Look at my post on potting phals from this past weekend. Good pics for you.

gardengirl13 · #5 03-14-2014, 02:17 PM

For me personally I mix moss and bark. The bark has that white stuff (can't remember the name off the top of my head) and charcoal in it, but I just bought some separate to add how much I want, not what the seller wants. I find this mix dries out fairly quickly so it doesn't rot, and the moss keeps it moist enough to help maintain humidity, and the bark keeps the moss from glopping together into a ball so air gets in nicely.

Basically what works best for you is what you should use. If you don't water enough then use more moss, if you water more then use more bark.