Your Top/Favorite Tools for Your Orchids

[Plantcrazed101]

I've just started collecting some orchids and hoyas, and I have this habit of spending all my plant budget on PLANTS and then forgetting that I need SUPPLIES for them!! lol!

Since the cold frost has put a stop to my plant purchases (except for the occasional nursery visit), all I can order now is seeds and supplies.

So for orchids, what your favorite tools/supplies that you use for your orchids?

[78Terp]

I'll go with ceramic pots for orchids as a major supply need. Many orchids are or become top heavy and the only way to keep them safe is being in a decorative pot of some sort. I have a number of the fancier glazed pierced pots and a number of terracotta pots made for orchids (a much cheaper alternative).

Next on my list is bark/coconut husk chunks for potting and then fertilizers.

And then there are the artificial lights. Though that isn't really a 'supply' more of a capital expense.

[PaphMadMan]

Absolutely the most useful tool and most essential supply, that adds the most enjoyment to the orchid growing hobby and gives the most benefit to my plants, is Orchid wiz software. Knowledge is power, knowledge is success, and this is the most concentrated source of essential knowledge for orchid growing in existence.

If you insist on a physical object, then I choose translucent plastic storage tubs of various shapes and sizes. Inexpensive - isolation for newly purchased or sick or infested plants - intensive care for weak plants - simple non-display terrariums - or just used open-top for enhanced humidity around small to medium sized plants, and more.

Also essential - artificial light. I've never had a greenhouse, I live in a climate where outdoor growing is only possible for a few months of the year, and I have rarely lived in any house or apartment that provided all the natural light I could want. Artificial light sources make anywhere into growing space.

There are so many alternatives for pots and mounts, media, fertilizer, water treatment, pesticides, etc. etc. etc. that I can't consider any specific ones as favorites.

[Carolla]

I bought a big bag of orchid bark and one of LECA, as I do both traditional potting and S/H. I keep them in covered tubs and get out what I need when I need it. That might be more of a problem if our climate was more humid, but its really dry and I don't have to worry about mold.

Pots - always looking for good orchid pots. I agree with Harvey that the heavier pierced ceramic or terra cotta works well to keep them from getting tippy. I also look for deli containers the right size and shape for S/H pots. They don't have to be heavy as the LECA weighs enough to keep them stable.

I like to collect some sort of stakes for the spikes (and to attach my aluminum labels to). I really like the aluminum horticultural labels, I keep lots of information on them, such as when I re-pot the plant. I have fertilizer, insecticide and fungicide on hand. I also have an old pair of floriculture shears from when I was in college for trimming things that need to be trimmed (keep them sterile) and a couple of cheap chopsticks for potting efforts.

That's the basic list, I'm sure I've forgotten some things though.

[kspalding]

Personally, I prefer clear pots that I can see the roots through. Being a hesitant waterer in a high humidity climate I like to see the roots so that the plant can tell me what it wants or doesn't want.

[Catt Mandu]

I know it sounds a bit wacky, but for clipping rhizomes when dividing sympodial orchids (like Cattleyas), I use the clippers meant to cut a dog's claws. The two hooked blades grasp the rhizome while cutting; very easy! Make sure to sterilize with bleach before & after using.