Odcdm. Wildcat 'Lorene'

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Barbara

The media is a mix of fir bark, coco chucks, perlite, and charcoal (fine grade with med. grade in the bottom). I find that this holds water best without getting too sodden in the bottom. Just started doing this recently for the fine rooted types and so far so good.

Thanks! Wont the finer charcoal eventually sift down to the bottom and clog up the whole thing?

[Barbara]

Haven't really had that problem since most of my stuff gets repotted yearly. I have heard recently that charcoal will start to release the toxins it absorbs after a time. When I soak the mix before potting, most of the charcoal sinks to the bottom and I dispose of most of it. I don't think you need very much of it, and it is surpose to loose it's activity after a few months anyway.
So way do I use it at all, creature of habit I guess.

[thakshila smith]

rainforest climate is very cool for orchids..so your climateis cool and it suits them much. lovely flower indeed. ty.
I am hesitate grow them in plastic pots. but from here I read all of you use them. We use cement pots for anthuriums .not for orchids .. we use coconut chips too .
Is it good to keep them out in a rain time? bec here all plants are kept outdoors.

[mnh3281]

That is just beautiful! I love the deep red coloring on that, and how the little specs of yellow throughout! Just gorgeous!

[Toddybear]

That clone is similar in colouring to the clone 'Bobcat' but your lip is much longer...very nice! Amazing variation in Wildcat!

[Barbara]

I don't keep any of my orchids outdoors at anytime, the winds off the Great Lakes are just too unpredictable and the bugs are far too many to deal with.

I think the varitibility of the wildcats is what makes them exiting.

[mnh3281]

I take my orchids outside during the spring/summer/fall once all signs of frost are out of the way. That is usually when I see the best results for growth, as they are getting rain water and where I keep them, the lighting is perfect. Once inside, they all slow down again. I think it depends on your area though, what works best for you and your orchids.