Bob Hobden wrote:
"Dave Poole" wrote after Bob wrote:

Certainly a Phalaenopsis orchid hybrid.
Don't like the pot it's in, the roots need to get light.

Funny you should mention this Bob, because it was the topic of a
lengthy conversation I was having with someone only yesterday. Phals
are all epiphytic or lithophytic orchids and as such, the vast
majority of their roots are exposed to light in their natural
habitat. They readily develop chlorophyll as do many other epiphytic
orchids. This must help in augmenting the photosynthetic processes
in the leaves to some degree, although I very much doubt that it becomes
an essential function.

Possibly there are a couple of exceptions amongst species with very
wayward rooting habits. P. schilleriana seems to determinedly push
its flattened, silvery green roots out into the air and I've only
ever grown it well in a basket loosely filled with a couple of big
tree fern chunks, from which the roots hang in copious quantities. If
they grow close to any remotely porous surface, they adhere with
considerable tenacity. Similarly P. stuartiana although I've only
ever admired that in a botanical garden collection where its roots
hung down from an empty basket into the water of a heated pool below.
I've never managed to persuade P. schilleriana to live happily in any
pot without all of its roots remaining on the compost surface and
reaching out into the air. Other species seem much more amenable and
it is from these: Ps. amabilis, cornu-cervi, mannii, violacea etc
plus Doritis sp. that most of the hybrids are derived.

Until very recently, Phalaenopsis hybrids have been grown in normal
pots or baskets and many nurseries still grow them in this way. In
fact they have been grown very successfully in a conventional manner
since their introduction into this country during the 1830's and the
clear plastic pots have only been doing the rounds in the past 10
years or so. I personally dislike the clear pots and whenever I
bring one home from a garden centre, supermarket or diy shed, the first
thing I do is to rehouse it into a normal pot without subsequent
detriment to the plant. Inevitably some roots grow along the surface
of the compost and reach out into the air, but a high proportion head
down into the compost and remain in the dark.

There's absolutely no harm in growing them in clear pots, but I'm
convinced this innovation has more to do with style than address the
absolute needs of the plant.

I like the clear pots as it allows me to see the roots and compost at
all times and therefore judge when to water. I am also able to
monitor the health of the roots without tipping the plant out of the
pot, I think this is important as I've always considered the roots of
these orchids the key to success. Keep the roots growing and the
plants OK. My preferred compost is a mixture of live Sphagnum moss and
bark
chippings. When I used the normal coloured plastic pots I found the
roots tended to climb out of the pot and, as you mentioned, stick
onto anything around if you weren't careful, which caused serious
damage when they needed moving. Spraying the air roots with rainwater
is a bore, having to take care not to leave water in the crown. Since
using the clear pots I've not had one plant throw roots out of the
pot so no spraying needed.
There are close relatives that have no leaves and complete all their
photosynthesis through their roots which has always convinced me that
giving the Phal roots light must be beneficial to the plant, maybe
not essential, but beneficial.



Phew!, You gentlemen really know your subject!
Thanks for the pointers. The plant was, in fact, in a clear pot inside the
green one. So I've put that in a broader one to let in more light. Also
found some hints on OrchidWeb.com .
Thanks again.

Dave C.