[OGD] Plaqued phal species
While overhauling my orchidarium this evening (it's needed it for a year now), I took a closer look at some of my accessions- specifically, the plaqued phalaenopsis species- stuff like gibbosa, (Kingidium) minus, Phal. stobartiana- that sort of thing. I'm not happy with their root growth, except for a few plants of Phal. javanica that are doing OK. I'd welcome insight from other growers that raise these and other diminutive phal species, to see what they use- particularly with plaqued plants. For a few years now, I've been plaquing them with a bit of sphagnum between the roots and a bit of cork, but a quick survey of my plants shows that they're not happy with that combination. I generally grow plants that are exposed to alternating very wet and very dry (thanks to watering, followed by drying under ambient humidity), using distilled water (tap water is too hard) with a bit of fertilizer every now and again. Humidity can be very high in the early evening, and the air is probably quite dry by noon the next day. Any comments from growers that are true masochists that enjoy these little devils- please chime in as to how you grow them! -AJHicks Chandler, AZ --- ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
[OGD] Plaqued Phal species
Hi All, I had the same problems that Phal species grew poorly on any base that I used to mount Phal species on. Now since I'm using poystyrene blocks coated with cement (see AOS ORCHIDS January 2003 Pg 12) my species grow like wild. It is amazing to see how the roots attach themselves, like glued on, to the cement. So far I mounted about 20 differnet plants. I started with this in about April/May last year and I mounted small plants only, some were just one year out of flask and now, one year later, I have flower spikes coming. The plaques are misted or dipped in a bucket of water daily and fertilized once every week. The Pal. species that I mounted so far are: Phal. parishii, lindenii, gibbosa, intermedia, lueddemanniana, bastianii, floresensis and pallens var. dentriculata. The other plants are hybrids and one Aerangis punctata. The next will be Sophronitis cernua. Anyone who would like to know more, please ask on the list or mail me directly. Kind regards Peter from Bloubergstrand ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
