wait before mounting after root rot

[electric.chowder]

I have a phal that had a bad case of root rot, and I'm setting up a terrirum (see other post) but I was wondering how long one should wait, after new roots start to appear to mount it? right now it has just one small root just emerging (but the phal is pretty young itself) so is this a good time to go ahead and mount it, or is mounting in a terrirum just a bad idea in general?

thanks!

[Michael_Exler]

Good question.
you can mount that phal anytime without it bothering too much unless in bloom, then it will effect bloom longevity only.
MY concern would be air movement in the terrarium.
Without air movement you have stagnant air that fosters all kinds of mold and fungi growth, non of which are a phals freind.
the raised humidity is the point of a terrarium and is what phals thrive on, that humidity with spur new root growth on your phal.
Do you have PC fans mounted aboves to circulate the air and allow for some drying of the mount after watering?

[electric.chowder]

I don't have any fans in there, but it's right by an opening at the top (less than an inch away) and it's right by my window, which I usually keep open, as well as a ceiling fan that's always on in the room. Is it necessary to have more?

also, what are some good plants to grow in there as well, other than bromilades

[kmarch]

I might be slightly over generalizing here but I don't think so, others may weigh in if they have opposing opinions, but: the point of providing good air circulation is to simulate the cultural conditions an orchid might find in its natural environment, e.g. mountain breezes, winds across the plains, etc. Air movement does more than just give a plant fresh air, it dries the leaves off or the crown and prevents various types of rot and mold, etc., etc. Many growers that I know have fans blowing on their orchids, I've got 2 bun fans and an oscilating fan for a small area. I personally don't think a relatively small terrarium (such as someone might find in a home) unless it has a fan in it, could provie idealari circulation.

Just one opinion.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The fan also gives the plants the opportunity to cool them selves if the terraruium should get over heated a little from incoming light, provided you keep the plants sufficiently watered, so they have moisture reserves to expire thru their leaves. You may want to go to a Radio Shack and see how small their fans are. I am sure you can also get the appropriate tranformer to drive the fan too. Personally, I prefer ordering from http://www.surplusshed.com/ , were they have cheap small fans and transformers, with a flat $5 shipping charge. You might want to get a few of their $1.25 loupes, http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l1859d.html , while you are at it. These are great for seeing mites on your plants. Saves you from having to treat all your plants for spider mites, as they are very particular as to which plants they like.

[electric.chowder]

Is there any special way to hook up the small pc fans? I'm assuming they don't come with a wall hook up. I'll get down to radio shack as soon as I can and check out what they have there.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I use some old 10 gauge solid copper wire I have knocking around from past electrical projects. I cut off about a foot, maybe a little more, then bend it into a stand with the ends going into the holes on one side of the fan. With the right bends using a needle nose pliers, the fan is held on the wire ends pretty well.