Can I mount a phal?

[Winterwhite]

I have an old phal that when I repotted it, I planted it in spaghnum moss and consequently may have overwatered it. This was one of those phals I've been struggling with since the fall and about a week or so ago, three of it's last four leaves rotted out. They just pulled out from the crown. I still have one good leaf, a very good air root and having felt around, I believe some firm roots still in tacked. I would like to take it out of the pot and mount it on a mount so that I can observe it moreso than I can while it is in a pot. Any suggestions here?

1. I can either repot it in a medium bark mix in a pot, mount it or leave it as is.

2. I want to repot my stanhopea into a vanda basket or a wire pot. It is currently in a two inch plastic pot. I am thinking an almost 4 inch vanda basket with some spagnum moss. The stanhopea needs an open bottom so the roots can protrude. The flowers come from the roots and grow downward. Any thoughts here?

Thank you again. Winterwhite

[jerrymeola]

When mounting Phals remember they naturally grow down, so mount it either directly down or to the side.





They also look good on Osmondo squares mounted facing you rather than down. Try to keep the crown slightly down and over watering will not be a problem. No more crown rot.

When mounted most orchids are lost from lack of water.

I have had Phals with only one leaf come back mounted to flower again as early as the next season.

[Winterwhite]

Jerry,

Those pictures were worth a million bucks! Thanks. I received the first two of four. Winterwhite

[kmarch]

Dear Winterwhite,

In nature most Phals grow "mounted" hanging from tree branches or trunks but of course the conditions are perfect in the wild for them. I've seen a handful of pics of Phals in situ and as mentioned above they are all growing with the crown pointing downward. Can't beat that for keeping water out of the crown. The temptation, though, is to let mounted orchids get excessively dry for too long. The basics of Phal culture still apply to omounted plants: gently and evenly moist at all times. Depending on your conditions, humidity, amount of heat, etc., etc. you may end up waterign it in one way or another (spraying, misting, soaking, etc., etc.) nearly eveyr day.

[Winterwhite]

kmarch,
Thank you for your response. I did replant the one in question on a cork bark mount. I took it of the pot and was surprised at the roots that were still in tacked. It was potted in spaghnum moss and I think perhaps I may have over-watered it the past 6 months. I wrapped the roots in some new moss and tied it to cork bark. Even if I have to water it daily, I will feel better about monitoring the roots. Hopefully I'll get a few new leaves. Thanks for reading. Winterwhite