Clay for phals?

[Evangeline Bourne]

What is the consensus for clay beads/balls for phals?
Everything else seems to hold too much water, and here in the tropics where its already very humid I'm guessing thats not a good thing.

[janet_a]

i killed two phals that way--but they were in semi hydro. other folks are successful with them. one grower i know pots his phals in pea gravel in his greenhouse, so i don't see why the clay balls would be a problem.

[digitalgate]

since your are in the tropics as i am. I do that too.
look at the media, i put my plant in

[Evangeline Bourne]

Clay beads and charcoal?

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Evangeline Bourne

Clay beads and charcoal?

yap, just clay beads and charcoal. Water everyday. Sometime once every two day. It is too humid at my place. I rotted many
Phalaenopsis to find the right combination for me.
Did you see the one behind the cattleya. That one has no media!

[NancyG]

Hi Evangeline,

I keep sphrag just around the center roots and then surround it with hydronton rocks and usually place in clay pot. So far it has worked for me. When I tried just the rocks it didn't work.

NancyG

[jerrymeola]

My phals do very well in 100% s/h with a sauce under them. Right now it is watering almost every day.

[Evangeline Bourne]

s/h? not familiar with that one.

[janet_a]

semi hydroponics. clay balls in a closed container with just a couple holes an inch or so up the side from the bottom; the bottom of the pot holds water, which wicks its way up thru the balls. see also:

Orchid - hydroponic/semi-hydroponic - Orchid Forum Orchid Care