What's more critical in growing orchid?
toffee123
10 months ago
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jane__ny
10 months agoRelated Discussions
What kinds of orchids are you growing?
Comments (18)I grow plenty of orchids - dendrobiums, cattleyas, phalaenopses, oncidiums, paphiopedilums and vandas. I still have dendrobiums but have lost interest in them--- too much work in replacing rotting media and in regularly dividing them. Besides, they look ugly when not in bloom especially when you have plenty of back bulbs. Cattleyas are beautiful but alas, they only bloom once a year for me... sometimes even none in two years! Phalaenopsis flowers can be gorgeous but oh they rot so easily during our daily monsoon rains in July. I'm tired of spraying fungicide on them and giving them special treatment. Oncidiums are as maintenance free as vandas in my climate but the flowers are just too small and unexciting. Paphiopedilums can be exotic with their slipper shaped blooms but like cattleyas, I'm lucky if I can make them bloom regularly even just once a year. By now, you will have guessed my favorite... vandas! :) I can toss away all the rest and give them all to my neighbors and friends, but not my vandas. Vandas are so easy to grow and are practically maintenance-free and spray-free in our climate. Just tie them to dead tree trunks, place in full tropical sun and viola! Large, beautiful, blooms the whole year. You don't even need to remember to water them because mother nature can take care of their watering needs. You can also afford to cut the blooms and place them in your flower vases. You know they'll bloom again anyway in a very short span of time. They come in all colors of the rainbow and may be with or without fragrance. Just take your pick! :) tropical...See MoreThe importance of night time temp for cool growing orchids.
Comments (4)We have a natural temperature range of below freezing to 100F plus. Many plants do just fine with this under shade cloth. Cymbidiums, AU Dendrobiums, Onc, Encyclias, most Cattleya hybrids and quite a few of the Catt specieas. If one were satisfied with them life would be simple. Having extra energy and lots of time, mountains need to be climbed. The group of plants I'm tending to are the cloud forest plants of Central and South America. Specifically the entire Pleurothallis group and odd balls like Dendrobium cuthbersonii, Den subuliferum etc. Maxillarias, some Coelogyne etc. If you want Draculas to bloom, right now I have about 10 of them doing just that, you need to jump through the hoops. One also has to be a passionate tinkerer, electrical systems, RO system, watering and automatic fertilizing systems, humidity controll etc. I get quite a kick out of dealing with all of that. If you live in Pacifica, near San Francisco, close to the ocean, one only needs to open the window and every thing falls into place. But if you live in the near desert of Southern California then it becomes a challenge to create the environment of the Monte Verde rain forest of Costa Rica. And that is what gives me pleasure, so I do it. You can have a goldfish bowl or you can maintain a salt water reef tank. Whatever turns you on. Nick...See MoreVanilla bean orchid, best growing conditions
Comments (12)I ended up getting a couple too despite the fact they can grow 10 meters + lol. One I put in a 12 inch pot with regular potting mix with an upside down tomato cage. I just wrap it around and around. It's growing like crazy. The other I tied to a palm tree with panty hose (knee hi's) and it seems to be slowly beginning to attach itself to the tree. It's in regular, sandy Florida soil (no supplements or fertilizer). If we haven't any had rain for 2 or 3 weeks, I've watered deeply and allowed to completely dry out again. In the summer we have regular rain and that's all they get, lol. Definitely has grown a few feet, but still needs the attachment to the tree. We had a few nights where it was down close to 32 degrees but I don't think ever got to freezing. It's been a couple of weeks, no damage whats so ever. :> They are supposed to be epiphytic (sp?) in nature so I'm starting to think the potting medium is not super critical....See MoreReed Orchids... and more Reed orchids..
Comments (14)I moved it from part shade to take this photo. When I go for full sun? It seems to die back in summer. This plant is a 4 years old red radicans and was one single stem "on sale cheap" marked down. Others like a purple I had cats killed. For the amount of green you see? It seemed heavy after all these rains to lift. I've seen around town 2 or 3' tall in pots this size!...See Morebea (zone 9a -Jax area)
9 months agoMeyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agojane__ny
9 months agoMeyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoHU-676363412
9 months agojane__ny
9 months agoMeyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agojane__ny
8 months agojane__ny
8 months agoOrchid Lovah
8 months agolast modified: 8 months ago
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