Potting advice needed for several species

[junebug's orchids]

Hello all. I have some new orchids coming in this week that I wanted to seek some potting/mounting advice on.

Angraecum didieri - I am planning to mount this on bark and place it in a partially enclosed orchid terrarium. Drainage layer will be approximately 2" of gravel. DIY soil mix including miracle-gro organic soil, lava rock, osmocote, and bark chips. In the potting soil mix I'll be planting jewel orchids and possibly, eventually, a peperomia plant as ground cover.

There is going to be a bark flat in the tank, and this is where the Angraecum will be. Tied on with black cotton thread, packed with sphagnum moss, and the rest of the flat will be decorated with live moss and tillandsias, and a philodendron I have on backorder.

Thoughts on this setup? I'm trying to keep humidity in while allowing proper drainage and circulation.

Pleurothalis allenii - This one will be interesting. It's the hardest orchid I've ordered (as far as growing in my zone and in my house). It seems to prefer a slightly different temp and humidity range than naturally occurs in this room. My plan is to place it in a bubble terrarium hanging on my wall, near the window where it will get indirect sunlight.

I don't know whether I want to mount it, or pot it though. I can provide acceptable drainage either way, but wanted to get thoughts on mounted vs potted for this species.

[Roberta]

In which part of the San Diego area do you live? (I grow Angcm. didieri outside, I'm coastal and somewhat north of you) It does very well mounted. With regard to the Pleurothallis, if unsure of whether to pot or mount, a basket with sphagnum may be a good compromise.

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

In which part of the San Diego area do you live? (I grow Angcm. didieri outside, I'm coastal and somewhat north of you) It does very well mounted. With regard to the Pleurothallis, if unsure of whether to pot or mount, a basket with sphagnum may be a good compromise.

East county. It's dry as a bone LOL. The Angraecum is definitely staying inside, mostly because the display I have planned for it should turn out rather attractive, and I need pretty things in my fishroom

Pleuro is a smaller spp, if I recall, isn't it? I think I can get it right if I do it in a semi-enclosed terrarium. Temp swings will be more pronounced by the window, for obvious reasons.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by junebug's orchids

East county. It's dry as a bone LOL. The Angraecum is definitely staying inside, mostly because the display I have planned for it should turn out rather attractive, and I need pretty things in my fishroom

Pleuro is a smaller spp, if I recall, isn't it? I think I can get it right if I do it in a semi-enclosed terrarium. Temp swings will be more pronounced by the window, for obvious reasons.

You also get both cooler and hotter than the coast. The discovery process is fun, to learn what you can get away with. But if you want some outside (like the bigger things) long with the obvious Cymbidiums, consider Laelia anceps and its relatives. Drought resistant, cold resistant, heat resistant, and generally bulletproof. Also Den. speciosum - you do have to apply water, but they're also pretty bulletproof. (For Aussie Dens in general, you are also close to Sunset Valley Orchids)

[junebug's orchids]

For the most part, I'm going to be growing inside. I want the jungle look in this room really badly. Finally getting to it!

Here is the photo trail of the viv I started for my Angraecum and assorted other plants. Let me know if you see any problems.





The bark flat is where the angraecum will be mounted, alongside tillandsias and mosses. Possibly a lichen or two if I can find the right ones.

The soil mix contains lava rock, avocado bark chips, a few broken twigs, and osmocote. Jewel orchids will be planted there, along with potentially some ground cover.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Roberta

In which part of the San Diego area do you live? (I grow Angcm. didieri outside, I'm coastal and somewhat north of you) It does very well mounted. With regard to the Pleurothallis, if unsure of whether to pot or mount, a basket with sphagnum may be a good compromise.

I agree.. that should work very well for you June.

also.. post pics of the jewel orchids that are in there now. Roberta may know more than I do about nursing them back to health, especially in your conditions. (Roberta I am in the southeast, growing conditions are very different. I have also been out of practice for awhile. )

June! also try the other orchids Roberta suggested! Outdoor orchids are great!! you can make them your "potted plants" I don't get that year round :P

[junebug's orchids]

Haha almost forgot about the jewels that went in. Poor things were starting to disintegrate thanks to an awful shipping job done by the seller.

I watered them to set the soil after I planted them. I put one in my gecko tank and didn't water that one, but the soil in that tank is moist (it's also straight soil, heavy moss, not big on drainage.) I figured it was worth a shot since they all arrived so damaged.








One of them looks.... okay. The others ranged from horrible melted blobs of disgusting stinky blackness, to possibly salvageable.

[Roberta]

Alas, my success rate with jewel orchids has been really bad. I just put in an RO system, so hoping that was one factor... my greenhouse may have been too bright, even in the shady spots.... I have a surviving Ludisia discolor, that I have brought into the house and it's sprouting from the remaining growths, so maybe... A light potting soil should be fine, and the terrarium should work... I have concluded that they need humidity, not much light, and good water. But time will tell whether I have finally figured these out.

Those badly damaged plants may make it, depending on the condition of the roots and body of the plant (not quite a tuber, they have thickened stems). If the base part is healthy, they'll grow new leaves. Good luck.

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Alas, my success rate with jewel orchids has been really bad. I just put in an RO system, so hoping that was one factor... my greenhouse may have been too bright, even in the shady spots.... I have a surviving Ludisia discolor, that I have brought into the house and it's sprouting from the remaining growths, so maybe... A light potting soil should be fine, and the terrarium should work... I have concluded that they need humidity, not much light, and good water. But time will tell whether I have finally figured these out.

Those badly damaged plants may make it, depending on the condition of the roots and body of the plant (not quite a tuber, they have thickened stems). If the base part is healthy, they'll grow new leaves. Good luck.

I put a little of my tap in last night to set the soil, but in the future I'll be watering them with water from my betta tanks, which is mostly RO water, remineralized with a bit of tap (and of course fertilized with fish poop LOL). Some of the tubers or stems or whatever you want to call them were damaged and crushed - I don't expect those to make it. One was completely melted and black, so I threw it away. Most of them just have minor root damage, and leave damage with melted bits. They are only getting a bit of indirect sunlight from the window in the room, so I'm hoping that won't burn them.

Thanks for the advice

[Dollythehun]

It might be helpful for us if you left feedback in the vendor forum. It might save us some grief. So sorry about your experience.