Phal Orchid Growth and Bloom Question...

[rosie]

Yes, correct. The bark and leaves of a willow tree contain Acetylsal Icyclic Acid or (Salicin) from which a compound is made thus Aspirin.
Interesting Kevin, I was only googling a cutting compound recipe last week, and up popped the one where you cut a bundle of leaves from the end of branches, and pour over boiling water (use a bucket) overnight. Strain the next day, place in jars, refrigerate. To strike roots on cuttings etc.(I don't know if I have the courage to try a rootless orchid) stand such cutting in the liquid for a few hours to take up the cutting liquid. Then place this cutting in a small pot of riversand and peat moss. I'm trying this weekend with some Poinsettia cuttings. I'm thinking of trying this technique with a recalcitrant Catelya that won't root. "Root or begone" I will tell it.

[rosie]

Kevin on reading your post, I have had more luck with Phals outside under a shady tree, when all else seemed to fail. Over here in Oz. our temps. through Summer were around 77 - 84 deg. The place I had them in received a lot of breeze, a little bit of sheltered sun, raised on a metal stand over the garden bed. Their leaves after 3 months and roots doubled in size. I ensured that the pots had a slight tilt, so any rain or moisture ran away from the crown and that the water I gave ran completely through the pots. I resurrected 4 of my Phals, that nearly made it to Orchid Heaven this way. 3 of these Phals that I purchased from Bunnings, had to be repotted out of Spag. moss, which I think nearly killed them. One now is sending up a flower spike.

[cakedaddy]

Yes, correct. The bark and leaves of a willow tree contain Acetylsal Icyclic Acid or (Salicin) from which a compound is made thus Aspirin.
Interesting Kevin, I was only googling a cutting compound recipe last week, and up popped the one where you cut a bundle of leaves from the end of branches, and pour over boiling water (use a bucket) overnight. Strain the next day, place in jars, refrigerate. To strike roots on cuttings etc.(I don't know if I have the courage to try a rootless orchid) stand such cutting in the liquid for a few hours to take up the cutting liquid. Then place this cutting in a small pot of riversand and peat moss. I'm trying this weekend with some Poinsettia cuttings. I'm thinking of trying this technique with a recalcitrant Catelya that won't root. "Root or begone" I will tell it.

I wonder if aspirin itself added to a fertilizer regimen would do any good....What have you tried with this recalcitrant Catt? I find that they do take quite some time to reestablish once they have been moved and it takes more water than you might expect.

[rosie]

I'm thinking of trying this technique with a recalcitrant Catelya that won't root.
Okay, stood in willow water overnight. Now, today have it tied it to a stake, and it is sitting loosely on top of scoria, lava rock on some moist spag.moss. Will let you know the outcome.

[TirSigel]

Yes, please do!! I'm actually watching an amazing story unfold 'slowly' as we speak. My friend at work is attempting growing also. She purchased about 6 big box orchids (all kinds) but kept on killing them. We deduced that it was her hard water that was poisoning them. All but one died when she switched to distilled water. It started growing (roots, shoots, etc.) but then her dog got at it and broke the rhizome into 4 tiny parts and ate all the roots. I was able to save about only 2 - 1/2" parts of rhizome with only one badly beaten leaf each piece. I've had them soaking in my 'willow tea' (rhizome fully submerged) for about 3 weeks now. They are both beginning to sprout roots. Just today I buried the rhizome in some wet sphagnum moss to slowly acclimate them to normal growing culture. I have some high hopes for these little guys...

[rosie]

Kevin, let me know how your experiment works. Very interesting. The "willow tea" did you read about this before you read my post.Sounds hopeful with the orchid sprouting roots. 3 weeks you had them soaking? Annette

[TirSigel]

Yeah I had read about it a while ago on winter but I had to wait till spring for the willow shoots. I made some and had some great success. I'll definitely keep you posted...and yes, believe it or not, three weeks soaking.
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[rosie]

Yeah I had read about it a while ago on winter but I had to wait till spring for the willow shoots. I made some and had some great success. I'll definitely keep you posted...and yes, believe it or not, three weeks soaking.
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Have you got a follow-up Kevin on the soaking in willow water.

[TirSigel]

Yes I do, and it's good. :-) Both pieces of rhizome have sprouted roots and are taking off. I have one mounted, which now has 2 new growths about 3" tall. The other was potted in fine, fir bark and charcoal. That one has 5 new growths. It just stinks that I'll have to wait until spring to make more.

[rosie]

That's fantastic. I tried with a Cat. but only kept it in w.w. for 2 days. But on checking it yesterday, I think there is a new eye there. Fingers crossed. This pict. shows how it was back in August.