Reed-stem epidendrums

[GreggC]

I bought it at a show and sale in February.

[Jehannette]

I have one like Lorraine posted, and I have it in a pot, right on the edge of an ornamental tree. It gets just short of full sun for 4 or 5 hours a day there, and is blooming its head off.
I was told to plant it in the ground, in full-ish sun by a friend of mine who gave it to me in the first place, but haven't gotten around to it.
Our florida soil is so sandy, that I can't really see much of a drainage problem on the average.

I hit it with the same orchid fertilizer I use on everything else...

Hope this helps.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by khill

Actually, most of my orchids are growing in lava rock. I prefer that medium for my catts and dendros. Maybe lava rock would be better, especially with the heavy rains we get in the summer.

My friend actually just gave me a small cutting of Epidendrum radicans (I think, as it is just like Lorraine's picture) yesterday. She is from Jamaica originally and used to grow them there. She has this plant on her lanai and doesn't even really water it much this time of year and it is blooming beautifully! Most of the roots are out of the pot.

Anyway, this will be my experiment now to grow it in the garden. I'll keep you all posted.

Gotta a question for you khill. I'm getting ready to do some repotting and was going to try out the lava rock because my plants are outside and need excellent drainage during Florida's rainy season. Do you have to periodically soak the lava medium to rid it of accumulated minerals and fertilizer residue? Thanks.

[khill]

Hi Junebug--

I don't fertilize every time I water, so the answer, I guess is yes, I do flush. The orchids that I have outside just get the rain in the Florida summer, so flush themselves.

I love the lava rock medium. It can't break down ever. I just don't use it for my phals, as they need a little more water retention.

A local orchid grower was who recommended lava rock to me, and I can see why now. Especially for the catts and phal type dendrobiums.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by khill

Hi Junebug--

I don't fertilize every time I water, so the answer, I guess is yes, I do flush. The orchids that I have outside just get the rain in the Florida summer, so flush themselves.

I love the lava rock medium. It can't break down ever. I just don't use it for my phals, as they need a little more water retention.

A local orchid grower was who recommended lava rock to me, and I can see why now. Especially for the catts and phal type dendrobiums.

Thank you for your reply. I've got some sizeable Catts that are growing outdoors. Their current bark, charcoal, pearlite mix becomes too wet when exposed to our multiple weekly rain showers. This sounds like a good medium for them. I've got about 2 quarts of lava rock that I purchased from a web site, but will need more. I hate to pay the hefty shipping fees. Have you had any luck finding lava rock at local nurseries or pet stores?

Thanks again,

June

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Junebug

Thank you for your reply. I've got some sizeable Catts that are growing outdoors. Their current bark, charcoal, pearlite mix becomes too wet when exposed to our multiple weekly rain showers. This sounds like a good medium for them. I've got about 2 quarts of lava rock that I purchased from a web site, but will need more. I hate to pay the hefty shipping fees. Have you had any luck finding lava rock at local nurseries or pet stores?

Thanks again,

June

Hi June,

I found lava rock at either H.D. or Lowes. It's in the landscape area with all the other stones and is red/clay colored. Decent size bag with mix of sizes good for orchids, just rinse it off well before putting in your pots.
Lorraine

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

Hi June,

I found lava rock at either H.D. or Lowes. It's in the landscape area with all the other stones and is red/clay colored. Decent size bag with mix of sizes good for orchids, just rinse it off well before putting in your pots.
Lorraine

Thank you Lorraine. I should have thought of that. Duh! Will run out and get stocked up and try to avoid being tempted by their ailing orchids.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by khill

Hi Junebug--

I love the lava rock medium. It can't break down ever. I just don't use it for my phals, as they need a little more water retention.

A local orchid grower was who recommended lava rock to me, and I can see why now. Especially for the catts and phal type dendrobiums.

Just saw this and thought I'd add my

I have all my Phal species hanging sideways in baskets with sphag but all the hybrids are in aliflor and they are all doing really well. If you like the lava rock medium as much as I love my aliflor, don't limit yourself...try putting a phal in it and see how it goes.

[khill]

Thanks for the info Susanne. I maybe will give it a try. All my phals need repotting when they finish blooming. How often do you water your phals in aliflor?

[Jehannette]

If you need a little more moisture retention than lava, why not mix mediums? Certainly the commercial orchid mix manufacturerers do it...