da wrote:
I still haven't gotten around to repotting my phal, but it is
definitely on the agenda for next week. I can't locate anybody who
sells ProMix HP -- I can only find the straight, ProMix. I guess
that's what I'll have to use.


I think the main difference is more perlite. Get some perlite and add
in about 20-25% by volume. That should be about right (and looser than
Promix HP, too, probably).

I've been using a slightly different mix based on a soilless mix
containing some coconut coir. I think it is better than Promix, so far.
Recipe available on request.

Of course the minute I started posting about repotting I saw a new
spike starting. I was pretty sure it was a spike because it didn't
look at all like a new leaf, but I didn't want to be cocky and post
here that "Yippee! I've got a new spike.!"

Well I can now officially make that proclamation. The spike is about
15 cm tall. So now the question is what do I do with it? (And is it
safe to repot in this condition?)


If you are potting into a mud/peat mix, then sure. Actually probably ok
regardless, as long as the spike is new.

The phal originally came with a small dragonfly clip, but it looks too
small to go around the stake and not put too much pressure on the new
growth, so I nixed that idea.

It also came with those generic green twist ties. Now I tried one of
those as loosely as I possibly could -- i.e. wrapped tightly around
the stake with the spike resting against a loose loop formed by the
loose ends, but I'm not happy with that approach. Where the spike
comes in contact with the twist tie, it leaves a mark (a scar) on the
plant -- and as I said, the tie isn't firmly or tightly around the
inflorescence. The spike is just brushing against it for support.

I'm ready to get out cotton balls and attach them to the twist ties,
but before I took that extreme (and extremely sad) step I thought I
would turn to the experts once again.


If the spike is still small, I wouldn't stake it. Wait until it gets
more than a foot tall. Actually, I rarely stake phals except for
transport to shows. Most standard breeding will hold the spikes up
pretty well, and I'll only stake if I think the flowers are going to be
too heavy for the stem. But I'm not a phal grower, really. What do I know.

As for clips... You can get those butterfly and dragonfly clips in a
wide variety of garish colors and sizes. I don't like them because I'd
rather see the flowers. But, I came across something called (remarkably
enough) 'phal clips'. I love them, they are unobtrusive, easy to use,
and easy on the stems. I use them for my paphs. I have a few thousand
of the clips now, because I loved them so much. They require a certain
diameter stake to work well, so I bought those too...

http://www.chulaorchids.com/SitePage2.3.htm#2.31


--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit