[mayres]

I purchased a new phal at the Oregon Orchid Society Show a month ago and noted it was in sphag. The cross was a special multifloral phal that won honors at the Tokyo Orchid show last year with what looked like a couple hundred flowers! It appeared to be in fairly loose sphag. Note that every plant I have purchased in sphag previously (big box sales) seemed to be packed very tightly and also had LOTS of rotten roots. Since this purchase was from what I considered to be a reputable local grower I decided to leave it as is (in its current sphag) and compare the progress with my other phals that are planted in a coir mixture. In the month that I have owned the plant I have watered it but twice. It seemed to be slowly going downhill so I decided I couldn't wait any longer and de-potted today. Aarrrrrrgh! Huge long roots over six inches long - ALL ROTTEN. After I removed all the bad roots I would estimate that 5-10% of the original root mass was left. If I ever purchase another phal in sphag I'm removing it as soon as I get home next time! I know some people swear by this stuff - but NOT me! mike