Project 4 - Observations - Orchid Board

Ross · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 05:04 PM

If you care to post observations during your growing period, why not here?

For instance: I started with 2 spikes, my son, in error, broke off one, the second has become the dominent spike followed by a new spike. The dominent spike has been growing (lengthening) at a rate of approx 1/16" per day! All this is occurring along with additional root development and elongation of a new leaf. For the record, mine is mounted on grape vine stick, in orchidarium, under relatively robust light (similar to Haraella) and high humidity/high moisture/constant fertilizer.

Becca · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:04 PM

Hmm....not to many people sharing their observations...perhaps they are being posted in one of the other Project 4 Threads? Well any ways...this is what I have observed:

The spike is about 2.75 inches long...and I have seen one new root growth. I just saw yesterday the beginning of a new leaf too! I have to admit that I haven't kept mine in the same spot in the orchidarium....I bought a little plant hanger and have been trying various places....it seems to be able to handle more light then I thought it would. On another note....I think I was letting it dry out a little to much in between waterings. I noticed some weird marks, very dark green in color and spanning the width of the leaf, on one of the leafs that looked like bruising to a leaf from perhaps being creased, but I knew that wasn't possible,....but in two different spots...I was going to take a picture of it yesterday when I took my updated photo's and noticed it was gone....perhaps it was related to being under watered? Well as long as it is gone! Thats about it for my little one for now!

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 06:52 PM

Nothing's really happened with mine

I think it may have grown a little bit but there are no new roots or spikes.

I've now moved it into my terrarium...we'll see how that goes

gmdiaz · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 08:12 PM

I am observing, no spike.

But one really nice bright green root and one very nice leaf.

Did I mention, that there isn't even a hint of a spike?

quiltergal · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 10:27 PM

Mine seems to be doing some moderately active growing. The spike is now 4.5" long. It was just a nub when I got it. The newer leaf also on the plant when it arrived has doubled in size. The visible roots have nice green tips. I'm guessing that most of it's energy is going to the spike at this point and whatever is left over to root and leaf development. It was watered twice weekly through the summer with distilled H2O and DynaGro Bloom food. The mid-week water was just plain distilled and the weekend water was with fert. I'm not watering as heavily at mid week since temps are down. It's in a basket hanging from the top shelf of my grow rack in a lower light area. The grow rack is in a southwest facing bay window with blinds. Temps in the house averaged around 78 in the day and 65-70 at night. Humidity on a good day was about 40%. It's cooling down now, and the humidity is rising, 60% on some days. I added T5 fluoros last weekend to supplement the dreary winter light. It looks happy, so I must be doing something right. Crossing all fingers and toes hoping I can see this spike through to full bloom.

Ross · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 09:39 PM

I am still watering on every-other-day schedule with RO water with 125% MSU mix. Spikes still growing as are leaves. Mine's in orchidarium which has cooled down now to mid 70's day and low 70's night. I plan to keep up this regime till flowering occurs.

esungirl · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 10:33 PM

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

Ross · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esungirl

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

See, I really think folks who are struggling with the potted versions are strugling for same reason I did with many tropical "tree-huggers". How do you replicate those conditions? Moss will help keep moisture around roots longer, but how do you get air around roots at same time? Remember, most of these guys grow on mossy limbs in humid "jungle" environments where air moves around roots all the time. Thus many of us chose to go the mounted route.

Now...

What to do with your plant. You have a few choices. I truely hope someone successfully brings one or more into bloom while potted, but I think the odds are stacked against you.

Choice 1: Leave as is and provide us with the information as to how it does. I don't have much to contribute here.

Choice 2: Move the existing setup (sans pot) to a basket, where air can dry the medium out more quickly. You still have to be able to provide humidity needs.

Choice 3: Remove entire plant from existing pot, remove the moss, mount the plant (perhaps using a bit of the moss) on a twig such as grape vine, manzanita, etc. In this case, the plant will not be subject to whims of moisture and rot because it will require at least semi-daily watering, if not daily.

Hope these choices give you something to ponder.

quiltergal · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 12:28 AM

I wouldn't be so quick to discount growing them in a pot. If memory serves me correctly Elke is growing both of hers in a pot, plastic as I recall, and she is our first bloomer.

Erin what are you watering with? Tap, well, distilled, rain, RO? These guys are very sensitive to poor water quality. My summer conditions are very similar to yours. 90-100 most days. Are you growing outside or in? I found I could get away with a lighter midweek water and then a good drenching on the weekend. I wait until the moss feels crunchy before watering. The clay pot should allow the moss to dry much faster that plastic, so if you think you were over watering I would really hesitate putting it in a plastic pot. It sounds like it's happy now so keep doing whatever you've been doing.

Becca · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esungirl

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

Do you have any pictures to post? Not sure if it would help us help you....but we would love to see pictures

I am growing mine in a pot as well. I left it in the clay pot it came in....I noticed too that mine seems to dry out quickly so I have started to mist the top layer just enough to moisten it for a day or so to hold it over in between waterings....I could only imagine how quickly yours is drying out since you are not growing in an orchidarium like I am! On another note...my moss is quite wet after watering and it hasn't seemed to bother the 'chid much....so if this is what you are referring to as the moss either to wet or to dry then I wouldn't' really worry about it! Hope this helps some! It sounds like you are doing a great job with it! Don't forget ...pictures, pictures, pictures!