Question
QUESTION: I saw a Phal. planted/displayed in a clear, glass container: the green ('air') 'roots' were all exposed and arranged around the outside of a ball of medium where, I assume, the main, 'feeding' roots were located. From the appearance, there was a clear space from the green roots to the glass and the leaves and flowers were above the rim of the glass 'pot'. Sorry to be so lengthy, but I think careful watering [I 'ice' my Orc.s & same with food mix they are all--over 20 count--healthy and twelve in 'second-generation' flowering mode (first blooms fell, now new blooms+leaves and flower spikes) meaning I'm doing OK for a newbie. But, re-potting in a glass pot, if possible, without drain-holes seems challenging but attractive. Would you please comment/advise me over How? Thanks.

ANSWER: John, is it possible that the plant you saw was so mounted for presentation and not grown in that container? You did not mention speaking with the grower. You didn't mention how you are growing your plants so successfully (ie pot type, potting mix type, etc). Orchids can be grown in anything from crushed rubber tires to glass shards as long as they are provided with proper humidity, light, and nutrition. They also can be trained to grow on wood mounts or mounts made of other materials. However, the more one attempts to grow out of  mainstream pot culture, the more challenges there are to face. Orchid roots need constant exposure to air and humidity and,
unlike many roots, contain chlorophyll-- so can photosynthesize.  The glass container to which you referred seems to have many of these elements. Asmall amount of water in the bottom of a glass container could provide humidity for the roots and  plenty of air space must be allowed brecause the roots are air breathers.  Aerial roots outside of the glass container would have to be subject to high humidity also by misting or other means.  To solve the mystery, you will need to locate and speak with the person who actually assembled that display.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Wayne: Thank you very much for your answer and time: I was afraid of being too lengthy so all those details you mentioned were excluded; then, I read some questions to you from others...here is my brief: First, I question authority and have for decades; my view/philosophy is to imagine how orchids evolved and survive>>"without human assistance/interference"<<: for example, "who's in the forest/jungle that goes around 'chopping' orchid parts after the flowers fall--how does a Deny (dendrobium) avoid water and nutrition when it's in 'rest'-mode in the forest">> (not shooting at you--joking, somewhat)? I do cut stems but only after the Orc. shows me what it's up to or after a new stem has started at a node of the old one or if the stem withers: after the cut H. peroxide is dabbed on the wound to seal it. [I use "Tinactin" on black, stem and stomate fungus after H.peroxide, or, I cut the infection out of a leaf or remove the leaf.] After purchase I remove the plastic stem-clips and use tie-back twine (non-organic: nylon)--looped around only one 'side' of stem, never a choking loop--to eliminate chafing that penetrates the stem; I re-pot the orchid immediately: growers 'pot-down' to jam roots to force budding and so on+most orchids are over-watered; therefore, I can check for fungus that might be lurking on it. Never had a plant dump 'her' blooms from this re-pot-after-purchase practice: also, when orchids 'dump' blooms they usually do so soon after purchase from root-jam. There are other reasons, of course e.g. being on display in the store for a long time. 'Everyone' gets a clear plastic pot with a layer of cracked pot-shards>foam-pills>thin layer of bark>a good 'soil' (I use "Miracle-Gro" Orc. Mix": just an example not an advertisement)>finish with bark on top: NOTE, watering frequency seems dependent on potting medium; with a fine 'middle' layer of soil-medium, watering needs are reduced. I DO NOT cut roots (lost five plants--probably helped an infection get in). The roots are spread (very carefully) getting the 'breathers' "into-the-light" as much as possible. [I've dropped, total, eight plants: four rolled out of my car--when door was opened--completely dumped, four did a 'pot-pop-out'/I was clumsy: afterward all those went insane with blooms and 'breather-roots' and spikes and are in second-generation bloom. Scared 'em I guess.] I 'force' my orchids somewhat--a bit more feed than recommended: every week a thinned orc. food, "Orc. Plus" and "Bloom Booster"--again examples not advertisement--I 'ice' my orc.s including the feed: they like that, it seems. And, they like filtered water instead of 'straight', city tap water: this is just for my/their immediate environment. I'm not afraid of error or experiment: I've lost five plants due to over-watering and crown-rot (ignorance) in the past year and a-half of my experience with orchids. AND, it seems one can become 'addicted' to buying them! As for the 'Orc. under(in) glass': whether or not it was a special display, I don't know, it was in a TV advertisement, but I've seen others planted that way, and my mind 'recommended' a strategy for maintaining the plant in that environment immediately, so, I trust my instincts; and, orchids are much more resilient than ever I thought (as you explained over where they have survived in nature) so long as I'm attentive (and don't throw-'em-around too much): I'll give it a shot and let you know. Again, thanks very much: "if I'm not learning 'new', I'm relearning lots of stuff again, always, that's our job". My experience is unique to my environment and not, at all, a recommendation to others. Neat 'talking' with you, Wyane; you need not publish this, I'm in it, just for the info.

Answer
Thanks for sharing John.  Yes, there is no end to the things to try with orchids.  There are tens of thousand of different species-- each with their own requirements.  I have an older friend who has been growing orchids for over 50 years and is still experimenting on differnet potting mixes and the nutrittional requirements of orchids.  I also recommend attending a meeting of a local orchid society (I can help you locate one in the state of your choice).  Google "The Orchid Mall" and check out the reading room there for intereting articles.  On the subject of addiction, you would enjoy reading Eric Hansen's book "Orchid Fever", published by Pantheon Books in 2000.