Phallies & potting mix

[Ron]

Hi All.
I have been looking for a top quality growing medium for my Phallies.
I use to grow them in straight 15 mm bark, good growth but dried out quickly.
Last year I bought some Co Co nugget's, 12 to 18mm with a very low salt content.
February this year I potted all my seedling from 3 inch pots up into 41/2 inch pots.
See below photos for results.
About 2 months ago I potted all my new seedling into 3 inch pots using the same mix.
The results tell the story.
A plain simple but very effective mix.
Cheerio
Ron

[orchidlover55]

WOW Ron, the picture does have the proof. Those roots are huge!! I have a good friend that does the same thing and she has beautiful orchids and the roots in her pots are huge too. So I know the next mixture I get will be the large nuggets of Co Co. Thank you for posting the great information

[mehitabel]

Wow! !!! Absolutely gorgeous plants and root growth. thanks for the pictures. CHC is the best for my conditions, too.

[fred]

excellent results Ron
thank you for sharing with us

[davetheorchidaddict]

Yours look good but I still prefer to mount them because when they are in a pot they always seem to want to crawl out so I mount them to keep them out of the pot. I do not have to worry about over watering them nor having to repot. Mine seem to love it much better growing attached to a piece of wood or tree fern.

[Ron]

Yours look good but I still prefer to mount them because when they are in a pot they always seem to want to crawl out so I mount them to keep them out of the pot

Hi Dave.
Everyone has their favorite way of growing them.
I will give some of the species a go at mounts one day.
I show mine a lot so it is much easy for me to carry them in pots.
It all fun and enjoying to grow and flower them
Thanks
Ron

[mytwogirls]

Wow, I just read this post, thanks for the info. This is amazing. Great job.

[PhalPal]

I love coco husks too and include the in all of my homemade mixes. Cymbidiums and Oncidiums take to this media very well as well.

LOVE those roots Ron!!

[Ron]

I love coco husks too and include the in all of my homemade mixes. Cymbidiums and Oncidiums take to this media very well as well.

I find as the quality of the nuggets improve (less salt content) more people will be using it.
I currently trialing 30 native Sarcochilus orchids in the straight mix.
As for the Phallies, I still can not get over how much quicker and better root system they get in this mix.
I do not like to add anything else to the mix. It works fine as it is.
I will de-flask the next lot of Phallies straight into it.
Thanks
Cheerio
Ron

[Undergrounder]

Wow great results well done!

[davetheorchidaddict]

I just had a specie Phal blooming that was grown with my Catts, mounted on cedar. I agree everyone has their favorite medium and some that one has success with others do not.

[zaeem]

CoCo Nugetts for me either with charcoal and styrafoam or without.
You can add crocks from broken pots.
Zaeem

[Ron]

Hi all.
I was just looking at his page, seems about 2 years ago I first ventured into growing my Phallies in the CoCo nuggets.
Now after 2 years I find the results outstanding. I currently deflask all my plants into it. All my Catts and Phallies, all into straight 12-18mm nuggests.
I now grow all my young and mature Catts, Sarcochilus, Dend bigibbums, Phallies etc in and am trailing a few paphiopedilums in it also.
I will this spring move most of my Paphioedilums in to this mix, under my conditions it is working wonders. I find there is no reasonable reason to add any other items to the mix to try improve on it.
That is how great I find it.
Currently have a lot of Phallie plants under 18 month old from flasks in it and they are all in spikes
Cheerio
Ron

[Yvonne]

Thank you for sharing your choice on potting mix. Love the photos on your Phal in coco nuggets. I bet it is cold right now where you live. I have the gas heater on and my uggy on. YSL

[orchids4me]

Hey Ron those look fabulous ! What are your area conditions there? Hot, dry, humid.......wonder if it would work well here
Thanks for sharing Ron,
Emmaye

[Ron]

Hi Emmaye.
I live about 1/2 a mile from a salt water bay on the coast, up on the side of a hill and all above and partly around me is a forest of trees. I suppose we get warmish air flowing down the hill from inside of the trees that keeps it a bit warmer.
100 yards down the hill they regularly get good frosts.
It now gets down to about 5 deg C at night and days about 15 to 18 deg C
regularly getting into winter here.
Outside humidity in summer and winter is usually fairly low and I need to keep the floors wet even in winter, summer I run a misting system most days to keep up the humidity and also keep the temperature down. I often reaches 38-40C+ (over 100 F) in summer and very low humidity of around 10 to 15 percent.
I must say this mix was recommended to me by a good nursery owner, he regularly goes overseas to visit other nursery and says this is how most of the Asian nursery grow there Phalllies
Cheerio
Ron

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hi Emmaye.
I live about 1/2 a mile from a salt water bay on the coast, up on the side of a hill and all above and partly around me is a forest of trees. I suppose we get warmish air flowing down the hill from inside of the trees that keeps it a bit warmer.
100 yards down the hill they regularly get good frosts.
It now gets down to about 5 deg C at night and days about 15 to 18 deg C
regularly getting into winter here.
Outside humidity in summer and winter is usually fairly low and I need to keep the floors wet even in winter, summer I run a misting system most days to keep up the humidity and also keep the temperature down. I often reaches 38-40C+ (over 100 F) in summer and very low humidity of around 10 to 15 percent.
I must say this mix was recommended to me by a good nursery owner, he regularly goes overseas to visit other nursery and says this is how most of the Asian nursery grow there Phalllies
Cheerio
Ron

Thank you Ron ,
I'm horrible at metric system do you know 12 - 15 mm in inches aprox conversion ?
Thanks again
Emmaye

[Ron]

Thank you Ron ,
I'm horrible at metric system do you know 12 - 15 mm in inches aprox conversion ?
Thanks again
Emmaye

Should have read 12 - 18 mm, that is very close to 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch.
Very nice and chunky mix.
Best of luck
Ron

[orchids4me]

You're awesome Ron, thank you
Emmaye

[hera]

I've been using a coco chunk mix for my phals since last year. Similar results as yours. I'm convinced that its a keeper.

[Algyros]

Very interesting and great results.

Do you have a favorite source for the nuggets?

And when you say "mix," does that mean that you're adding other media to the cocunut nuggets, or are you potting your phals in straight nuggets?

[Ron]

Hi Algyros.

Do you have a favorite source for the nuggets?

And when you say "mix," does that mean that you're adding other media to the cocunut nuggets, or are you potting your phals in straight nuggets?

These coco Nuggets are bought in from Thailand by a local Australia orchid nursery to there own specifications. Ie regular in size and low salt levells.
My mix is just 12-18 mm CoCo nuggets only, nothing else is added.
I plant the orchids straight into the moist mix, give a weak dose of Seaweek fertilizer to kick start the growing process and then back to my regular fertilizer and watering program.
It is that simple and easy.
Cheerio
Ron

[lmartiny]

Hi Ron. Sounds like you have a lovely view around your house. The coco chips sound like an option I should try. Mine are in bark and it is so hot and dry I'm having trouble keeping up with everybody.

[Ron]

Hi Marty.

Mine are in bark and it is so hot and dry I'm having trouble keeping up with everybody

.
This was my original choice after the failure or live sphagnum moss, the plants grew good in it but in summer I had to water on very hot days twice a day.
Other problem because it dried out so quickly the roots tenderer to grow a lot out of the mix and out of the top of the pot, rambling everywhere, this does not happen as much with the CoCo nuggets.
Cheerio
Ron

[NewBloom]

Ron,

Your plants' growth looks comparable to s/h. I potted a small rescue phal into s/h two days ago and I'm anxious about my first attempt. CHC looks like it gets the job done without the worry of wondering if the reservoir is too high and when to water.

I've got a den. mix that includes medium CHC. I'm looking at your pictures and I'm tempted to switch...

What was the difference in care regimen when you switched the size of the nuggets?

[starwhiz]

So, coco chips retain water more than sphag? I have my dens in coco chips and phals in sphag. I think I'll try coco chips on my phals too. Yes I noticed roots on my phals tend to climb out of the pot...

[orchids4me]

Hi Ron
You mentioned the coco chips bought locally but are from Thailand and low salt what is the name brand to see if I can find them here in the states ? if you don't mind me asking.
Thanks
Emmaye

[Ron]

What was the difference in care regimen when you switched the size of the nuggets?

When I switched from the bark mix to the 12 to 18 mm CoCo nuggets the results were noticed in a mater of weeks.
The roots grew to the inside of the pot and then would it self around inside the pot.
None came straight up the side and into the air.
The bigger size CoCo nuggets allowed easy wandering of the root system inside the pot.
Plenty of air movement which allowed the pot to dry out a bit quicker in cold weather, but kept up the moisture level.

Hi Ron
You mentioned the coco chips bought locally but are from Thailand and low salt what is the name brand to see if I can find them here in the states

In Australia the brand I buy is called Orchidmate.
Best of luck
Ron

[Ron]

So, coco chips retain water more than sphag?

I would not say that, they hold water without being soaking wet all the time like spag moss.
Allow more air movement through out the mix, every time you water the mix overhead it drags fresh air through out the mix preventing it getting stale around the root system.
In hot weather it seems to have a good amount of humidity around the inside of the pot (condensation) I suppose this helps keep the roots system active also.
There is nothing worse than a tightly packed wet potting mix
Cheerio
Ron

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by Ron

When I switched from the bark mix to the 12 to 18 mm CoCo nuggets the results were noticed in a mater of weeks.
The roots grew to the inside of the pot and then would it self around inside the pot.
None came straight up the side and into the air.
The bigger size CoCo nuggets allowed easy wandering of the root system inside the pot.
Plenty of air movement which allowed the pot to dry out a bit quicker in cold weather, but kept up the moisture level.


In Australia the brand I buy is called Orchidmate.
Best of luck
Ron

Thank you Ron
Emmaye

[starwhiz]

Originally Posted by Ron

I would not say that, they hold water without being soaking wet all the time like spag moss.
Allow more air movement through out the mix, every time you water the mix overhead it drags fresh air through out the mix preventing it getting stale around the root system.
In hot weather it seems to have a good amount of humidity around the inside of the pot (condensation) I suppose this helps keep the roots system active also.
There is nothing worse than a tightly packed wet potting mix
Cheerio
Ron

Thanks Ron!

[sunshine]

OMG, I am speechless Those are very healthy,happy phals I have been using medium coco chip bark with perlite (sponge rock) and throw in some hydroton and use it with my catts with excellent results. Now to see phals planted in the large bark makes me want to try it. I have found CHB very easy to work with I also noticed you have have been using the the pots with the slits on the side. Have been thinking about trying some of these with my phals. I think I see some repotting in my future

Yes, I have been poking around on repotme since I have all kinds of time on my hands. It really sucks having only one good usable arm

[Ron]

Hi Sunshine.

I also noticed you have have been using the the pots with the slits on the side. Have been thinking about trying some of these with my phals

These are for the deflasking pots, unfortunately I find with the slits in the sides the roots try to squeeze through them, This results in a nice new fat root growing to the slit, squeeze through it and then fatten up and continue to grow outside the pot. see photo
All is good until it needs to be re-potted, then you usually break off the root were it comes out of the slit because it is so thin here.
Or cut up the pot to save the roots, even then they can break off.
Unfortunately it is the only clear type of 3 inch pot I have been able to buy.
good to use but a nuisance when the roots grow through the slits.
The large 4 1/2 inch clear pots from Holland/Germany have no slits in the sides and are far better to grow Phallies in, see photo of the new roots growing, this was potted up from a 3 inch pot about two months ago
Cheerio
Ron

[zildjian]

wow coconut husk products gaining popularity!

anyway, i'm new to this forum and been lurking around before i joined in. i'm a newbie as well in orchid (going 6 months now) but orchids is a common thing here in the philippines you can find it grown outside of the house in many houses. the medium used here is coco husk (most popular) for potted plant followed by charcoal. nurseries though use coco. for me coco is too common so i'm doing it differently but looks like i'll be putting some of my phals to coco. i currently use osmunda fiber with excellent result but with the growing number of plants it's becoming difficult to keep up with watering. i'm now experimenting on 60% coco peat, 30% rice hull, and 10% carbonated rice hull with a little osmunda fiber in the bottom. the rice hull will allow good drainage and air. i don't like 100% cocopeat because the nursery where i'm getting my phals is doing that with some root rot (albeit the phals are healthy). as much as possible we want no root rot.

[Ron]

Hi Zildjian to the Orchid Geek forum.
Nice to have some members from the Philippines.
I would imagine with a great tropical climate like yours Phallies would be easy to grow.
There are many mixes that work very well for different growers, I find this a simple mix for me to use.
I have had nothing but success for using it,

i don't like 100% cocopeat because the nursery where i'm getting my phals is doing that with some root rot (albeit the phals are healthy). as much as possible we want no root rot

.
These product I am using is much more an open mix that what they are using, The reason I went this way because it was recommended to me by a nursery owner who regularly goes to Thailand were they all use this product for there Phallies.
As for over watering it in summer, nearly impossible unless you watered it every day. at 35+Celcius I find about every 3 or 4 days is OK, 5 days and it is realy starting to dry out.
I try to keep my humidity around 50%, guess yours would be near that every day.
Glad to see you are interested in what I have writted
Cheerio and good growing

[zildjian]

Nice to have some members from the Philippines.

Thanks Ron. I wonder if there are any other members from Philippines.

I would imagine with a great tropical climate like yours Phallies would be easy to grow.

Yes but mostly mounted in driftwood with coco husk toppings. It's a different story if potted. A local folks here can easily kill a phals if it's potted...we just love to water daily.

There are many mixes that work very well for different growers, I find this a simple mix for me to use.
I have had nothing but success for using it,

I agree with you. Besides that it's cheaper and abundant in supply (at least I can say that from here since we have coconuts all around us here).

.
These product I am using is much more an open mix that what they are using, The reason I went this way because it was recommended to me by a nursery owner who regularly goes to Thailand were they all use this product for there Phallies.

I've been experimenting on using carbonated rice hull (CRH) as an additive. CRH is sterile and is rich in the basic nutrients that plants need as well. It also absorbs to much water and is somewhat similar to leca stones. It can be used in S/H culture but I'm just to afraid to try it out so I'm just using it as an additive.

As for over watering it in summer, nearly impossible unless you watered it every day. at 35+Celcius I find about every 3 or 4 days is OK, 5 days and it is realy starting to dry out.

Wow 35+C! I think we get around 33 in the summer here.

I try to keep my humidity around 50%, guess yours would be near that every day.

It's around 60% to 70% in the morning and goes up to 90% at night.

Glad to see you are interested in what I have writted

An eye opener actually. I always repot before after getting an orchid in coco husk and throw away the coco. I don't actually have an idea initially that it is really a good medium since it's the most commonly used and there's no comparison. Using charcoal or moss is out of the norm here so why not do it differently I thought. Because of what you'd written here I bought a sack of coco nuggets/cubes yesterday.

[Ron]

Hi Zildjian.
Been a few years since I started to use the CoCo nuggets, plants still growing madly in it.
This year I bit the bullet and put all my Paphiopedilums in it.
About 800 to 1000 plants, so far they "SEEM" to be growing better than the pine bark medium.
I will have to wait until next spring to take a few out and check their roots.They are all potted in black pots so I can not tell by looking at them.
Best of luck

[Ron]

Hi Just to give you an idea how my Phallies are going, some updated Photos
1st is a 2 year old Phallie with 2 spikes in a 4 1/2 inch pot, re-potted about 7 months ago from a 3 inch clear pot.
Next is the root system.
Last one is a 12 month old plant potted up about 2 months ago from a 3 inch pot.
All in the 12 to 18 mm CoCo nuggets, I just love this mix, may not suit everyone's idea of a good Phallie mix.
But works very well for me.
Cheerio

[jsehorn]

I don't grow Phalaenopsis myself, but I always rely on repotme.com for potting mixes. They have a special blend for every genus of orchid you can imagine. I've tried their oncidium/intergeneric, cattleya, cymbidium, paph, and a couple others and have always been quite thrilled with the results. And by the way, "phallies"? What are we, 12 years old? I'm glad you included a picture so I knew what you were talking about.

[zildjian]

Originally Posted by Ron

Hi Just to give you an idea how my Phallies are going, some updated Photos
1st is a 2 year old Phallie with 2 spikes in a 4 1/2 inch pot, re-potted about 7 months ago from a 3 inch clear pot.
Next is the root system.
Last one is a 12 month old plant potted up about 2 months ago from a 3 inch pot.
All in the 12 to 18 mm CoCo nuggets, I just love this mix, may not suit everyone's idea of a good Phallie mix.
But works very well for me.
Cheerio

Great pictures Ron! The root has dragged the coco nuggets along with it outside of the pot...great!

Anyway, I repotted all my phals to coco nuggets this last long weekend. I could see the difference right away...the roots don't sit on a wet medium after watering and they seem to have a good breath of air.

[zaeem]

zildjian,
Thanks .great work keep it up,you are going fine.

[reese]

Thanks for the info Ron, I'm new to the Phalaenopsis and am saving all the info I can on them that will help me take care of my plants properly and aid me when it comes to re-potting...which is what I have to do with one of them soon.

[Ladyofthelakes]

Hi Ron, I have read this post through and am curious. Those of you who have success with the coco nuggets live in more warm tropical areas. Since coconuts grow in the tropics is there any correlation there?

Would the coco husks do well up here in the cold dry north?

As you once advised me I am rethinking all my warm growing chids to more cold tolerating orchids.

[Ron]

Those of you who have success with the coco nuggets live in more warm tropical areas. Since coconuts grow in the tropics is there any correlation there?

Where I live it is defiantly not the tropics, I think it is more of the open nature of the CoCo mix that works so well.

Would the coco husks do well up here in the cold dry nor

I run my heater in the winter to about 16 Deg C (61F) and with this mix I find I do not lose any plants due to wet medium.
Originally I was TOLD by so called local experts to use live Tasmanian spag mos.
Was fairly good in the summer but in the winter, I could not get the watering right, kept it bone dry most of the time and only misted on warm sunny day.
Eventually I lost the roots on most of the 6 month old plants and eventually out of about 90 plants 45 or so died.
Others recovered slowly.
I was told by one of our better nurserys from up in northern NSW that the Thailand nursery used the 12 to 18mm CoCo Nuggets, so I tailed them and joined this Forum to see what others are using.
Best thing I ever did.
Some times the best lesson to learn is from those that have problems (like me) and kill their plants using so and so mix.
Just avoid these mixes, mine may not be the Knees Bees of all mixes but works very well for me and my mates.
Have fun and enjoy the trials until perfection comes your way. (I am still fine tuning)
Cheerio

[Peekapoolady]

This thread has been very informative for me. I am going to try the coco nuggets for my phallies. Thank you for sharing all the tips and pictures. I am also in the cold North, but I've had good luck with my orchids so far.

Keep up the good work!

Peekapoolady

[Puddy1]

Originally Posted by Ron

I would not say that, they hold water without being soaking wet all the time like spag moss.
Allow more air movement through out the mix, every time you water the mix overhead it drags fresh air through out the mix preventing it getting stale around the root system.
In hot weather it seems to have a good amount of humidity around the inside of the pot (condensation) I suppose this helps keep the roots system active also.
There is nothing worse than a tightly packed wet potting mix
Cheerio
Ron

Thank you Ron, your info has been so helpful. I'm a newbie trying to rescue a Phal which I keep at work on my desk near a southern window. I wonder about the humidity and if your mix would be helpful in that environment.

[Ron]

Thank you Ron, your info has been so helpful. I'm a newbie trying to rescue a Phal which I keep at work on my desk near a southern window. I wonder about the humidity and if your mix would be helpful in that environment.

I can not see why it should not work, as long as it get plenty of filtered sunlight through the window.
Not direct sunlight on the plants as most likely it will be too bright and burn the leaves.

You could get a large pot saucer and put in a layer for gravel, fill with water, then put in a few bigger stones so the pot is resting on them and not sitting in the water.
This will help keep up the humidity as well.
The roots may grow down in to the water but hopefully the water will not kill them.
I have seen the root system enter the water and gravel and take over the saucer complety.
As long as the main plant is above the water table, should be no problem
Cheerio

[Schila]

Does somebody knows where can I buy these Coconut Husk Chips here in the US?
I recently got a phal that came packed in sphagnum. After it was done blooming I repot it in a mixture of Orchid Bark that I got from Home Depot. I have the feeling that this mixture dries out too quickly or I haven't figure out when it needs watering. Just by looking at Ron's pictures wants me to change to Coconut Husk Chips.
Ron: with these chips, how often do you have to water your phal? I live in Houston TX and in the summer the humidity can go up to 90-100%.

[sunshine]

You can find coco chips at any good nursery/greenhouse that sells orchid supplies. You can try repotme. Yhey have everything you need for orchids and in all price ranges. I ordered on a Friday and it was on my doorstep Tuesday and the customer service is

rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer

[Ron]

Ron: with these chips, how often do you have to water your phal? I live in Houston TX and in the summer the humidity can go up to 90-100%. [/QUOTE]

We are in the cold part of the year now and at nigh it is around minimum 6 C outside the greenhouse and the heater is on at nigh, daytime maybe 20 C (68F) and I am on a week to 8 or 9 day watering program at the moment, humidity is around 50 to 60 %

Summer, when the days temps get up to the old fashion 100F and beyond, humidity of around 50 to 60% I water about every 3 to 5 days.

But in saying all this I check about 10 plants scattered around the bench, all grown in clear pots, if no condensation inside the pot and it feels light, then this is my water day.

Rather difficult question in a way, if we have a lot of cool and cloudy weather in summer it could go up to 5 to 7 days between water .
When we had the big heatwave of around 115 to 120F, water nearly every morning
But the best way for me to do it is every morning i walk around my greenhouse checking the pots by picking them up, if it feels light and little condensation, watering day, even though I may have only watered them 2 days ago.
I hope I have not confused you too much.

[Brooke]

Schila submerge the entire pot in water for an hour or so. Eventually the bark will start retaining water.

In Houston during the summer you won't have to water very often but more so in the winter when the heat is on. I've been to Houston in July and you have my sympathy

Brooke

[Schila]

Originally Posted by Brooke

S I've been to Houston in July and you have my sympathy

Brooke

Thank you Brooke. Yeap it's not the nicest weather at all, mostly for your hair. You don't even want to open the front door.

[Schila]

Originally Posted by Ron

Now after 2 years I find the results outstanding. I currently deflask all my plants into it. All my Catts and Phallies, all into straight 12-18mm nuggests.
Ron

Ron:
I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm practically new with Phals and am trying to do my best. I just repotted 4 phals using bark that I didn't pre soak for 24 hours prior and now am having problems figuring out when is time to water. Attached is a picture of the 4 phals. I repotted these phals May 7; can I repot them again using Co Co nuggets even though it has been not even a month since I repot them? If I use Co Co nuggets, do I need to soak for 24 hours the Co Co as well? After repotting in Co Co do I have to immediately water the phal? How about fertilizing

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Schila

Ron:
I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm practically new with Phals and am trying to do my best. I just repotted 4 phals using bark that I didn't pre soak for 24 hours prior and now am having problems figuring out when is time to water. Attached is a picture of the 4 phals. I repotted these phals May 7; can I repot them again using Co Co nuggets even though it has been not even a month since I repot them? If I use Co Co nuggets, do I need to soak for 24 hours the Co Co as well? After repotting in Co Co do I have to immediately water the phal? How about fertilizing

I just repotted 4 phals using bark that I didn't pre soak for 24 hours prior and now am having problems figuring out when is time to water. Attached is a picture of the 4 phals

If the bark was dry from the start, I have found it near impossible to get it wet all through again by just watering or soaking for an hour with the plant in it. When I an about to use bark that has dried out I soak it for about 2 days.
I only now use bark on my Cymbidium orchids as they are grown out side and no roof over them so they can get soaked by the rain

PS as for the high humidity in your area, Phallies should love it

I repotted these phals May 7; can I repot them again using Co Co nuggets even though it has been not even a month since I repot them?

Phallies are one of those orchids that seem to love being repotted, quiet often they take off and produce new roots and growth within a week or so.
I repot anytime in the growing season.

If I use Co Co nuggets, do I need to soak for 24 hours the Co Co as well?

Most of the CoCo products contain a lot of salt, this is part of their growing cycle in growing in soils containing a lot of salt on the coastal areas.
I soak and drain mine 3 to 4 times before use, leave at least 8 hours between each soaking.
Then ready for use.

After repotting in Co Co do I have to immediately water the phal? How about fertilizing

I always water 'in' the plants after repotting, Can apply fertilizer same time if you like but I would rather do it next watering day.

Why do I use only CoCo nuggets, they are so easy to plant in, hold water well with being over wet, can be easy re-wetted if drys out completely, best of all the plants roots love it.

One other tip is, Phalls love to be grown in clear pots so I would remove them out of the outer pots.
this allows the light to get to the roots.
Cheerio and best of luck as these are very easy orchids to grow if a few rules are followed

[brianb]

Ron
Not seen CoCo nuggets here. What is your view of Phals in charcoal. Time is not an issue for me and I have few plants

Brianb

[Ron]

Originally Posted by brianb

Ron
Not seen CoCo nuggets here. What is your view of Phals in charcoal. Time is not an issue for me and I have few plants Brianb

Hi I have never grown them in charcoal, like growing semi hydropnic I suppose, watering would be an issue I suppose as it would dry out quickly and I suppose break down quickly.
a product I would not use.
I am sure living not far from Thailand were most CoCo Nuggets come from into Australia some of the local Phallie nursery would have some in supply!

[brianb]

Ron,

Thanks.. will look around for it.

Regards,

Brianb

[Schila]

Ron, thanks for all the information given. I think I will plan on repotting again but in Co Co nuggets to see how it goes...

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Schila

Ron, thanks for all the information given. I think I will plan on repotting again but in Co Co nuggets to see how it goes...

Hi, best of luck with it.

[brianb]

Ron,

Looked around five garden centers in Singapore this afternoon. No sign of Co Co Nuggets. Know now why a lot of folk here use charcoal. Spag moss is A$60 per Kg. Some had Co Co Moss but in small quantities. Managed to find Co Co Chips and bought a Kg for A$6. Will soak it tomorrow and plant a Phal in it to try.

Liked the photos on the other thread showing spikes galore.

Brian

Brian

[Ron]

It is rather surprising that it is so hard to find CoCo nuggets.
I like them, my plants like them.
They seem so forgiving if you accidentally over water them (near Impossible).
Roots love the openness of the mix and quickly meander all through the mix.

[pikkumyy]

hey ron, thanks for putting up this thread, i will definitely go out and buy some CHC ready for repotting in spring

[Ron]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

hey ron, thanks for putting up this thread, i will definitely go out and buy some CHC ready for repotting in spring

Good luck with it, i would not promote it if it did not work wonders for my Phalaenopsis.
Cheerio

[plucker]

Interesting reading and sounds like this works for you.

I have a mate who grows in perlite and with all of the other conditions he gives to his phals, has results that I doubt would be beaten anywhere.

He is getting 8 - 12 new leaves a year on every plant!
Some of the root systems have left the pot of his 3 year olds and are 3 foot long hanging down.

The flower spikes are branching and I counted one that had 7 branches on one spike. The spikes are up to 4 foot long too.
50 odd flowers on a spike happens in his greenhouse.
All this and his plants are only 3 years old at the oldest.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by plucker

Interesting reading and sounds like this works for you.

I have a mate who grows in perlite and with all of the other conditions he gives to his phals, has results that I doubt would be beaten anywhere.

He is getting 8 - 12 new leaves a year on every plant!
Some of the root systems have left the pot of his 3 year olds and are 3 foot long hanging down.

The flower spikes are branching and I counted one that had 7 branches on one spike. The spikes are up to 4 foot long too.
50 odd flowers on a spike happens in his greenhouse.
All this and his plants are only 3 years old at the oldest.

There are lots of mixes and different ways to grow Phallies.
Were I live it is borderline growing conditions for them
I would love to be able to run my Phallie house at a minimum 25C every day and night. Bet I would get massive growth this way, but I do not have the money to heat it above 16C in the winter with temps outside the house now getting down to 1 C
The Taiwanese nurserys grow their Phals in Chinese spagmoss only, with heat during the growing season of 25 to 28 miniumn at night

I think the big issue for Phallie growing medium is how warm you can keep them at night! Too cold and wet medium in winter, is a sure fire death penalty to the roots and eventually plant. Been their and done that!

Good luck

[berkeleysgr8]

I like the coco chips too. I am now using them in my coir (ground up coconut husk) and perlite mix to keep the mix a bit more airy (I also sometimes add rice hulls and/or charcoal). Folks who are unfamiliar with them should be warned that they leach a LOT of reddish/brown color for quite a while (sort of like peat does). I always soak my chips a few times before I use them, to try to leach out any salt that may remain. I recently potted up a Neobenthamia gracilis in straight coco chips and it is growing like a weed! It's growing outside in 100+ degree weather (37+ Celcius) but the coco chips hold plenty of moisture to keep the plant happy.

[Narelleg]

Hi Ron, I have just been reading through and have a questions or two. I have just re-potted my Phalli about a week ago into a mixture of co co and moss and it is now starting to get a yellow spot on the leaf (the only leaf) - I am new to the Phalli orchids. Each time I have had one I have had little to no success. I live just north of Newcastle, NSW and it gets quite cold here I run the heater most of the night is there any advice you can give me that might help my Phalli survive. Should I remove the moss and hope for the best?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Narelleg

Hi Ron, I have just been reading through and have a questions or two. I have just re-potted my Phalli about a week ago into a mixture of co co and moss and it is now starting to get a yellow spot on the leaf (the only leaf) - I am new to the Phalli orchids. Each time I have had one I have had little to no success. I live just north of Newcastle, NSW and it gets quite cold here I run the heater most of the night is there any advice you can give me that might help my Phalli survive. Should I remove the moss and hope for the best?

Hi Welcome to the Geeks Forum, I would remove the moss, it remains far too wet, thus causing the yellowing patches and eventually death to the roots and leaves.
Just use the open 12-18mm size nuggets only and if necessary water a bit more often.
Phallies hate being poted in a heavey wet mix with little air movement through the mix.
Also in winter try and keep above at least 16C at nights, higher if possible or keep them on the dryier side.
Best of luck as they are a beautiful and easy orchid to grow if a few simple directions are followerd

[zildjian]

Originally Posted by Narelleg

Hi Ron, I have just been reading through and have a questions or two. I have just re-potted my Phalli about a week ago into a mixture of co co and moss and it is now starting to get a yellow spot on the leaf (the only leaf) - I am new to the Phalli orchids. Each time I have had one I have had little to no success. I live just north of Newcastle, NSW and it gets quite cold here I run the heater most of the night is there any advice you can give me that might help my Phalli survive. Should I remove the moss and hope for the best?

I agree with Ron to remove the moss. The coco nuggest itself is good enough and I have great sucess on my phallies with it. The moss will not help in your location being cold which means the medium will stay wet for long. Here in my place it would be fine since its hot in here.

Hello Ron, since I'm growing outdoors and it's the rainy season slugs & snails are many and they find the coco a good hiding place. He he I have to hang my phals wherein slugs & snails could not crawl. Anyway, I'm now experimenting with volcanic rock or what they call here red slate stone. So far so good specially this rainy days no sign of fungus on phal leaves even after a week of rain. The medium will not decay so this means no more repotting. I need to get some limestone though as a topping to neutralize salt build-up and a source of calcium as well. I think a bit of limestone will not hurt. It would be great for Paph's I think.

[zaeem]

I also keep them off the ground,butare in Coco, and charcoal to avoid overwatering.I have lost two Belinas recently imported.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by zildjian

I agree with Ron to remove the moss. The coco nuggest itself is good enough and I have great sucess on my phallies with it. The moss will not help in your location being cold which means the medium will stay wet for long. Here in my place it would be fine since its hot in here.

Hello Ron, since I'm growing outdoors and it's the rainy season slugs & snails are many and they find the coco a good hiding place. He he I have to hang my phals wherein slugs & snails could not crawl. Anyway, I'm now experimenting with volcanic rock or what they call here red slate stone. So far so good specially this rainy days no sign of fungus on phal leaves even after a week of rain. The medium will not decay so this means no more repotting. I need to get some limestone though as a topping to neutralize salt build-up and a source of calcium as well. I think a bit of limestone will not hurt. It would be great for Paph's I think.

Thanks for the comments, In Australia and I suppose all over the worl, they crush limestone into pieces about the size of a match head and sell it for Chicken or chooks grit
This I springle on my Paphs each spring to keep the mix sweet and supply a little bit of calcium.
Works wonders

[zildjian]

Originally Posted by Ron

[/B]

Thanks for the comments, In Australia and I suppose all over the worl, they crush limestone into pieces about the size of a match head and sell it for Chicken or chooks grit
This I springle on my Paphs each spring to keep the mix sweet and supply a little bit of calcium.
Works wonders

thanks so much Ron for the tip on the chooks grit. i've been searching for limestone supplier near my place but to no avail. i'll try the poultry supplies.

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by Ron

[/B]

Thanks for the comments, In Australia and I suppose all over the worl, they crush limestone into pieces about the size of a match head and sell it for Chicken or chooks grit
This I springle on my Paphs each spring to keep the mix sweet and supply a little bit of calcium.
Works wonders

ooh cool, i actually have some of that for the chooks,
except my stuff is called shell grit, is it the same?
or should i ask the local produce store?

[orchidlover55]

Ron can I have the website to order me some coco nuggets? How often and what fertilizer do you use? Do you water them before the coco nuggets completely dry or do you let them dry out before watering ?

[bearded orchid]

Originally Posted by orchidlover55

Ron can I have the website to order me some coco nuggets? How often and what fertilizer do you use? Do you water them before the coco nuggets completely dry or do you let them dry out before watering ?

Hey there, I'm not sure about the source Ron uses, but I've had great luck with the CHC from rePotme.com. I just ordered my own combination. I did equal parts of the small, medium, and large chips for mine with great results, but you could make your mix however you felt like.

Plus, they soak and rinse their chips at least three times before they ship them out

Orchid Media from rePotme.com