I have several plants of Phal parishii and lobbii, a gibbosa cross, and
Phal lindeni. For me, the plants grown on cork (with or without
sphagnum) do better than on tree fern. I've also observed that poor
root growth seems to be connected to limiting water for parishii. But
keep in mind that n=2 in my house, so that may not be accurate. Also,
(and I know you don't want to hear this) but I think humidity is key for
those thin-leafed tiny phals. They don't really get excited about being
watered (or not watered) when there's abundant humidity. They seem to
have a high transpiration rate when compared to larger, beefier phals
who could care less about humidity as long as they get watered.
Once I witnessed a magnificent Phal lobbii that was grown in a small
basket with sphagnum. If you try this, I would suggest strapping your
plants on top of the sphagnum and allowing their roots to penetrate of
their own accord rather than burying them. This should help minimize
crankiness if they're opposed to the idea.
Good luck.
Julia
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Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 22:05:20 -0700
From: "Aaron J. Hicks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [OGD] Plaqued phal species
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Reply-To: "the OrchidGuide Digest \(OGD\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message: 11
While overhauling my orchidarium this evening (it's needed it
for a year
now), I took a closer look at some of my accessions- specifically, the
plaqued phalaenopsis species- stuff like gibbosa, (Kingidium) minus,
Phal.
stobartiana- that sort of thing. I'm not happy with their root growth,
except for a few plants of Phal. javanica that are doing OK.
I'd welcome insight from other growers that raise these and
other
diminutive phal species, to see what they use- particularly with plaqued
plants. For a few years now, I've been plaquing them with a bit of
sphagnum
between the roots and a bit of cork, but a quick survey of my plants
shows
that they're not happy with that combination. I generally grow plants
that
are exposed to alternating very wet and very dry (thanks to watering,
followed by drying under ambient humidity), using distilled water (tap
water is too hard) with a bit of fertilizer every now and again.
Humidity
can be very high in the early evening, and the air is probably quite dry
by
noon the next day.
Any comments from growers that are true masochists that enjoy
these little
devils- please chime in as to how you grow them!
-AJHicks
Chandler, AZ
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