Unique Pot For My Special Phalaenopsis
 

I have owned this Phal for many years. It has suffered through my lack understanding of its cultural requirements. But it has persevered where other orchids gave up, this one stayed green. And it has bloomed every year for the past six years. Two years ago it produced a terminal spike. I did not know what this was so I searched for the answer. I learned that this Phal was so stressed that if I did not pay attention, it was giving me one last hoorah and then terminate itself.

Fortunately I did pay attention, last year in January 2012, it produced a flower spike and the terminal spike branched out and also flowered. It did not produce any more leaves but lots of roots last summer.

This year, it bloomed on the same spikes. I suppose I should have cut the spikes so that it could focus this year on growing leaves. Again, I neglected to do that little favor. I thought this was it.

At the end of April, I noticed a little red growth on its side. Keiki! By the end of May, another keiki grew on the other side and strong fat roots.

A lot of what I have learned about raising orchids, I've picked up from talking to other orchid hobbyists, but I can also attribute my knowledge to what I have learned from people posting on this forum.

Particularly informative was the discussions of using plastic, clear pots for Phalaenopsis. Up until March 2013, all of my plants were in clay or ceramic pots. This discussion helped me to migrate from clay to clear plastic plants. I am able to see if my plants need water.

You can see this plant in its clear plastic pot. I drilled holes in its side to allow more air to reach the roots.

Although the plant seems to thrive in this configuration, I felt that the pot was still not "holey" enough to allow for good air flow to the roots.

That is when I came across a picture that member LornaHeath posted where her plants showed them planted in this really unique pot. I think she stated she sold them but since she is in the UK, buying that pot from her would be prohibitively expensive. I found a USA purveyor of this pot. I don't know if I can provide their name on this forum, so PM me if you want to know.

I repotted this special Phal in this special pot. I don't know if the plant likes being uprooted and repotted, but I feel good!:biggrin:

Phalaenopsis that produce a terminal spike, almost always develop several keikis. Clear plastic pots are my pot of choice for phals also. It really helps to be able to see the roots and the potting media. Good luck.

Thank you LornaHeath!

This is the first Phal that I have experienced the terminal spike, so I did not know what it was. I agree with you, repotting all my Phals into clear plastic pots have really helped me grow better these plants.

How is that pot working out for you, and where did you get it? It looks like it would be a great choice for the average phal. Oh so airy!

They are called Orchitop pots. They are made in Germany and repotme.com sells them.

I have one, too. They are not cheap, but my Phal has been doing really well in it:

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd95996e8.jpg

I've got a couple of these as well. Our member Lorna sells them in the UK and repotme.com has them in the USA.