Mini slice of the tropics. Orchids in bloom!

[ctb]

love the hospital set up, explain the soda bottle idea, that might work for me. Are you cutting the bottoms off?

[opaline]

Hi Carol! Its a 2 liter size bottle with the bottom 3 or 4 inches cut off turned around and pushed back in to the bottle. Acts as a platform which is easily removable for maintenance, visual checks. I keep the lid on as my object is to achieve very high humidity for the victim. Its suspended because up there is shady and warm and ideal. First step i soak plant/s completely leaves and all for 24 hours in a bucket of water with a slightly stronger dose of superthrive and a weak dose of tomorite because it has seaweed extract in it, a cup of sugar and a pint of full milk for the enzymes and other chems to act as a natural fungicide.

With the bottles ready, paper towel in folded into a square shape, dampened and put on turned up severed bottom. Orchid is appropiately positioned and pushed into the bottle using your palm. The next day and for 3 days consecutively the screw lid is removed and sprayed in hole with a mix of hormone and water. I use Baby bio liquid roota. A whole 100ml is mixed with water to fill a 1litre spray bootle.The consistency is slightly thickened. Everyday for 2 weeks to a month you just take plant out move foliage about and put back. Must be kept warm so the condensation forms in bottle. Success and time length differs with severity of victim but is reliable for me. For 6 months after the root success its fed a 30 10 10 ferrtilizer and cultured as prefered or suitable. Oncids often fall victim for me along with some other kinds on occasion and my method often comes in useful. But what works for me may not for others.

[ctb]

Thanks, I'm printing that out and putting in my orchid care notes. Sounds like it just might do the trick. It's usually pretty warm here in Florida so I will probably have to adapt a bit so I don't cook anybody, but I'll give it a try. Thanks again.

[opaline]

Your Welcome! Phals and dendrobiums respond quickly, oncids tend to sulk and take longer. With catts I just do the 24 hour soak and repeat every fortnight until show. The drying out encourages new shoots and so roots come with. I would use whole method for the Catt if it were severely dehydrated but only had a prob with one catt and it was bought this way to my disappointment. Thanks for your interest.

[espranch]

I agree with Jordan...It is very nice! Betty :-)

Its like a mini rainforest!

[opaline]

Thanks Betty. Perhaps one day I might get the photos to look as pro as yours.

[pavel]

Yes, you do have just a "few" plants don't you? LOL!

[opaline]

Yes Pavel!lol Pre 2 years ago I had a small (few) collection which travelled around with me in between jobs and locations. In the last 2 years now that Im settled, Ive took advantage of a large east - part south facing window. It was a blank canvas for a very short period of time and was able to do smething I long waited for. And one good thing about my mini rainforest, there are 'no snakes'. I mounted a further 2 today so I have got room for one more. Around a 9 inch pot size would be fine. lol

[catttan]

Beautiful setup, Matt! You do have a very good collection. Thanks for that 'hospital' tip. I'll try it on my ailing oncidiums.

[mujacko2002]

Mabuhay!

all i can say about this collection is :

WINNER


thanks for the tip.
Godbless