having Orchids in the Philippines

[walingwaling]

nice haul hubie!
from what i can see, you have a Cattleya in there, the one with 2 leaves on it and it looks dry and maybe burned, those do fine in sunny places, just no direct sun.
rest are Vandas, which can take full sun.

enjoy mounting, haha.

[htvg43a]

Ron,
I see you live in the Philippines. What do you use for fertilizer and how. How about chemicals for bugs and fungus. I found a few white spots like members mentioned on the forums. Than I had on one under the leaf kind of a caterpillar or worm. I picked them off and the plant is fine.
thanks for your help and advise

Hubie

[walingwaling]

Ron,
I see you live in the Philippines. What do you use for fertilizer and how. How about chemicals for bugs and fungus. I found a few white spots like members mentioned on the forums. Than I had on one under the leaf kind of a caterpillar or worm. I picked them off and the plant is fine.
thanks for your help and advise

Hubie

hi Hubie,
i dont fertilize that much, try to get em as much rain water as possible. however, i do fertilize with regular stuff you would get in stores, like handyman or so.
what i use mostly with quite good results, soak a few banana peels (potassium) in 2 liters of water, lets say 2 days, and spray on roots. the soaked up peels i often stuff in pots. also use the rice washings, nitrogen i believe. coffee, teabags and eggshells make good fertilizers too!

sorry, wouldnt know about your white worm or whatever it was.
i dont have anything against fungus. as for bugs, i use a regular mosquito spray on dendro beetles, only if its too many of em. for false spider mites, often on Phalaenopsis, best is a mix of soapwater and a good shot of rubbing alcohol, spray on leaves, especially the underside, same works for scales.

hope that helps, just experiment with it and see what works best for you.

[htvg43a]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the advice. I like your attempt to stay green and environment friendly which is my goal too.

I learn a lot here in the forum, it is very impressive to see the member’s accomplishments.

Have a nice day

Hubie

[zildjian]

Welcome! Bohol is my home province. I'll be there February next year for a 1 week vacation.

[mauraec]

Hi Hubie!

A bagful of orchids! That I should have such neighbors! I don't know the first thing about growing orchids in the Philippines, but I have sunburned a few cattleyas along the way. I have discovered the hard way that catts and vandas are NOT the same light lovers. Catts really can't handle direct sun - and even if they're in extremely bright indirect light, they can turn a pretty ugly yellow - but often that comes with some great blooms, so I guess it's a trade-off. I personally try to keep my non-blooming catts looking as decent as possible - which means a little less light and greener leaves and pseudobulbs. That's really just a personal preference and I have no doubt others will weigh in. Thanks for the photos - what fun!

Maura

[htvg43a]

Hi Maura,
Thanks for the post. Here in the Philippines Orchids is just another flower which is very easy to take care. When I walk around in the neighborhood I peek over the fences and see the most beautiful orchids.
Sometimes I ask if they like to sell it and I pay two or three dollar for a healthy orchid plant with a huge lower stem. It's great. But if you ask for the name or ID nobody has a clue. I try to ID at least 30 plants which are not easy.
It is fun and keeps me busy. I have a hard time to post picture on the forum still trying.
If you like to keep in touch you are very welcome. I finding more and more large Orchids Farms here in the country soon it will be my goal to visit some of them.
Greeting from Bohol ---- commercial links removed - see faqs on posting ----

Hubie