Phalaenopsis Orchid in a Glass Vase (No Drainage)

by Tiffany
(Las Vegas)

My husband recently gave me a beautiful Phalaenopsis Orchid for my birthday. It currently has a 2 foot high bloom stem and five 6-8 inch healthy dark green leaves. It is planted in medium sized bark, with moss on top, in a 6 inch wide glass vase with no drainage. I am concerned that I cannot water it effectively. We live in Las Vegas, very hot and dry. The first two flowers on the stem are starting to wilt. I gather that I should put it on a water tray.... Should I be misting it as well? How often? Should I transplant it into a different pot after the blooms are over? If so, what kind of pot? I appreciate any advice you can give me.

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Aug 10, 2015
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by: Melissa

You can use what you want as long as you attribute it to me and www.orchids-plus-more.com. A link is fine.
Aug 10, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Good post
by: Maurine Hills

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May I share with your article on my blog CostumesMax with a link for you as an author?

Thanks for answering!
Aug 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Get Your Phalaenopsis Drainage As Soon As Reasonably Possible
by: Melissa

Hi Tiffany,

Thanks for your question.

What a lovely gift your husband gave you! It sounds like a beautiful plant.

You are right to be concerned about the health of this plant and watering. Often a nursery will plant an orchid in a fashion that looks really nice for gift giving but that is not good for the long term health of the plant. A Phal. in a pot with no drainage is the kiss of death for the life of the plant in the long run. Phals. need to drain and if they do not they are prone to root rot.

It is difficult to know exactly what to recommend. I usually do not repot Phals. when they are in bloom unless the plant roots are rotting. I think that the plant can survive it just fine but it is easier to break the flower spike if it is very tall. And it is not particularly supportive of the long life of the flowers. And yes, watering especially in a dry environment is much more difficult.

If the roots look pretty healthy (you should be able to see them through the glass) you might be able to spray the roots more frequently with a hand sprayer. Misting might help some especially if it has aerial roots. Mist the roots if it does. A humidity tray can also help some to increase the humidity around the plant. Keep it away from right in front of a fan or air conditioner as they are drying as well.

How often really depends on how the plant looks and how hot it is, etc. I would try putting a little water in the pot every few days and letting it dry up. Do not let the plant sit in standing water for days and days.

You should plan on repotting it to a pot that drains as soon as the last blossom falls, assuming the roots are still healthy.

I am a big fan of plastic pots for Phalaenopsis. I prefer the clearish ones, but often dark green is available in most garden stores. When you have it repotted you can put the pot it is in into a decorative pot if that suits you. Just remove it to water it and let it drain well.

Good luck.

Let me know how it goes.

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com

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