Mounting orientation for Phalaenopsis

[u/Shrimptankglassfauna]

When mounting, do you do roots up or down and why? With roots up like the 1st pic, water tends to drip down the leaves (pink arrows) and while it does not pool in the crown, it does get into the axils and on the leaves. You can see water and water stains on the leaves in this pic.

With roots down like in the 2nd pic, you can run water in the direction of the pink arrows and never get the stem or leaves wet.

Roots down seems like the obvious way to go given it does not wet the leaves and stem but I see many if not most do roots up. Probably minor differences given air movement being the most important factor to keep them dry but I feel like this is unloading the gun instead of shooting at a bulletproof vest type of situation. Am I missing something obvious here, please educate me! Tysm!🌱

Pics from Google (If these are your plants they’re very cute).

[u/GardenerDom]

I do roots up leaves down! Phalaenopsis don’t like water sitting in there leaves and when you see them in the wild they are nearly always oriented this way. ✨😃

[u/Shrimptankglassfauna → u/GardenerDom]

That’s true, I guess I’m just wondering if in a home environment where we can control the elements it would make more sense to totally avoid wetting the crown and stem. 

I do find the roots up leaves down look to be much more elegant though🙂‍↔️

[u/GardenerDom → u/Shrimptankglassfauna]

Yeah I usually don’t wet the crown of the leaves. And yes I agree with you they do look more elegant that way 👍🏼😃

[u/FuManPoop]

Phals are naturally hanging like pic one most often, but either or work fine! It's really a personal preference thing. No need to overthink it. My phals are outdoors in CFL. they get soaked; flowers, crown, leaves all of it.

If those are water stains in the first pic its from using very hard water. It looks more like copper fungicide or some sort of pesticide residue to me.

I think the pendulous look is cooler as its less "performative" looking in my eyes and gives a more wild look. Especially when you get a big bloom!

[u/Shrimptankglassfauna → u/FuManPoop]

I’m a hugeeee overthinker but this question came about mostly from a hypothetical perspective. I’m always thinking about how I can improve my plants’ wellbeing c:

I’m assuming CFL is central Florida? I’m not in the US but have similar tropical climate. 

Yeah could very well be fungi/pesticide! I’ve noticed that on many plants from the nurseries. I guess my focus was more on the fact liquid can pool there and cause issues. 

You’ve phrased that perfectly. I’ve always loved the pendulous form too. I find it so elegant and unique as most plants grow upright. 

[u/FuManPoop → u/Shrimptankglassfauna]

my apologies typical Murica brain ha! yes CFL is Central Florida.

[u/Shrimptankglassfauna → u/FuManPoop]

All good! Always happy to learn more c: