Polyrrhiza lindenii -Ghost Orchid Winter Project - Orchid Board

gmdiaz · #1 10-19-2007, 09:11 PM

Received my little October ghost yesterday from Oak Hills Gardens!

Tonight: Plan A:
I've got the little wad of roots suspended on its mount, inside a Tupperware "bell" , hanging just a tiny bit above a small, clear plastic saucer full of ro water.

I am hoping that this setup will keep it warmer than the other orchids in the tank and provide enough protection from too much wind from the fan. Last night without its bell, it got down to 63 degrees with a high of only 79 degrees today. I'll have to see about how to warm things up more. What is my best temp range for this one? What is the safest low temp?

It's receiving low dappled light. . .about 400 fc and fairly frequent misting with ro water. . .twice today.

And so the winter project begins. . .

cb977 · #2 10-19-2007, 10:16 PM

That is way cool!
Keep us updated on this one!

gmdiaz · #3 10-19-2007, 10:20 PM

I hope flhiker will post his ghost pics here too. . .Dave, keep us posted! And anyone who'd like to join in. . .please do!

Dave, I've been thinking about the orchid/fungi relationship. lol

Question: Could Dave go get some funky FL water on one of his excursions into the swamps and use it to start that symbiotic relationship for his ghost?

Talk amongst yourselves. *grin*

flhiker · #4 10-20-2007, 02:34 PM

Ok here is mine and you know what, that sounds like a great Idea about the water! I never thought of it, I have thought of going to a area of the glades where you can remove some sticks or bark, but never the water. My father use to say that 2 heads are better then 1 even if 1 is a gabbage head!

He use to say that to me a lot.

I think I am going tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

gmdiaz · #5 10-20-2007, 03:15 PM

I don't know if the swamp water would need to be applied every so often as a dip. . .like that guy Tony (with the 9 blooms) recommends.

Or if the swamp water could be applied once as a dip. . .and the fungi would make a home on the roots and on the mount.

I'll think I'll order the fungi tablets.

Let me know when you start your swamp water treatment and we'll post results our same time results. . .see if we can't crack the ghost orchid blooming code!

And I have one other idea that just occured to me:

I read that the fungi are in the decaying bark of the trees that they are growing on. . .what if you pick us up a couple of good sticks. . .something with a little wood decay that might well have lots of the good guys already living in it?

What do you think?

gmdiaz · #6 10-24-2007, 08:14 PM

Gwen's New Swampy Ghost Abode. . .many happy thanks to Dave:

Boomer misses no new thing.
Top view looking down into the big jar.
Side view looking through the glass.

Testing out the new theory that Dave and I are mulling over for blooming the ghost orchid, using regional pond apple, swamp sticks & water, in hopes of getting a little fungi symbiosis going. Don't have a clue if we're on the right track but won't it be fun to find out?

Rosim_in_BR · #7 10-24-2007, 08:47 PM

Gwen, that's the way we learn more and more about orchids: with original ideas and experiences! Congratulations! It would be nice knowing about the success of your method!

gmdiaz · #8 10-24-2007, 08:50 PM

*big grin*

I know, isn't it wonderful? I am so happy to share my wins or losses with you all, here in this very inspirational & educational place.

flhiker · #9 10-24-2007, 10:32 PM

Awesome Job! I have taken a little different approach. Since I live where they do (in geographical area) I have put swamp water in a table top fountain and have the mounted Ghost orchid hanging on a piece of cork bark over the fountain. and I mist the plant with swamp water ever day. May end up putting it in a tank

gmdiaz · #10 10-24-2007, 10:36 PM

Interesting! I love the fountain with swamp water & swamp water misting ideas! but do think you ought to consider adding a duck proof tank of some sort. . .cause lunch "happens". *snark*

Keep us posted!