Hi, Juliet, how have you been? The orchids look really great. Becky will cheer when she sees this thread! Joe
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On the topic of Water Culture, I would like to share my joy! Here are my results:
Onc. Sharry Baby in water culture since oct 08. I am super happy and the Sharry Baby smells soooo good!
I was desperate with this Sharry Baby, I have had it for nearly two years and it struggled. I learnt from another forum about water culture and here it is.
Since then I have adopted 2 more Sharry Babies from my mum, they are growing like weeds in water culture!
This catt was put into water culture around September 08, it has 3 buds! I can't wait!
I don't know if you can see the buds?
Another catt with buds, this one took the plunge in Oct 08 too.
It will be interesting to see how these orchids survive the coming winter. I think they will be OK if the water temp is kept around 18- 20C.
Juliet
Hi, Juliet, how have you been? The orchids look really great. Becky will cheer when she sees this thread! Joe
Good to see you, Juliet! Your orchids look beautiful. The water culture is working so well. There is something really pretty about this type of set-up too. Thanks for sharing. I bet that shary baby smells wonderful.
Cheers,
BD
Hi.Nice to see you in this forum Juliet. Just to understand this new technique to me:
1.How frequent you change that water.
2.Risk for root rot?
3.How do you fertilize either by spraying or put into this water?
4. Is it suitable for all genera or certain species only.
Anyway the plant looks great to me probably I can try later.Good growing. zain.
Omgogomgomgomg!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you juliet!!! I just have say that I read this on the bus to work this morning and I DID CHEER, Joe!!! LOLOL
As ya'll know I just posted some stuff on water culture recently and I gotta tell ya, this is just so great!! I wish I had put mine into water sooner in the fall like u did!! Yes, please do answer those cultural questions above...I'd particularlt like to know if u put fert into the water-if u do, roughly how much? I only use a little... Also, could someone convert the water temp she listed above into F for me? I won't be in front of comp 4 a bit...
I can also take a stab at some of your questions Zain:
1. How frequently change water? I change 1/2 the water about 1x a week. Also, with a plant that has been newly introduced to water, 1x a week when I'm changing the water I will also remove the plant from the vase and give it a little rinse off under running water, and a little rub with my hand just to get the gunk off...its kinda like taking care of cut flowers
2. Risk for root rot? None - once your plant has grown water roots, these roots are adapted to live in water and will not rot in the water. Any roots that are there before being put into water should be removed, as these are not adapted to water.
3. Fertilizing? I add fert directly to the water in a regular solution just like you were going to water any orchid - 1/4 strength.
4. Is this suitable for all species? I'm not sure - it works particularly well for catts because of their structure, but obviously it works for other types too!!! I'd say be adventurous and try everything!! You never know what will work.
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Last edited by Becky15349; February 5th, 2009 at 10:34 AM.
Hi everyone, thank you all for your kind words, I feel so encouraged!
I had a fab holiday in Bali and my Sharry Baby greeted me with a spike when I came home!
All my water culture orchids were left on their own for 8 days, they took care of themselves! I had to get an orchid- sitter for everyone else.
OK, here is what I do:
1. How often to change the water?
It depends on the season. I change the water when it looks muggy and green, so more often when the temps are high (maybe once a week).
I change ALL of it and give the roots a gentle brush down with a tooth brush when there is too much algae. I make a few bottles of general orchid fertilizer at 125ppm with a few drops of KLN and use that for top ups too.
2. Root rot. Becky has answered that question beautifully.
3. As above.
I don't use any fertilizer until i see new root growth only a few drops of KLN. That is just me.
4. I have one $5 phal in water culture since 21.1.09 and it has put out quite a few new roots! I am amazed.
Quote "some of them grow best in water culture and the blooms last longer. These include some hybrids in Cocleantes, Catt., Dendrobium, Leptotes, Oncidium, Rodiquezia"
I've only tried catts, onc. and one phal.
Becky: I can just imagine you doing a cheer in the bus LOL!
18C(64F) - 20C (68F).
You know, my window gets so hot sometimes 35C (98F), I thought my catts would cook, but they are OK and blooming. We have had a few really hot 40C (104F) days and next week is looking like over 100F!
Anyway, enjoy having fun with water culture, don't try it on your expensive prized babies just yet!
Juliet
Do you think that Burr. would do well in water culture, anyone?
im so sorry ischel, I'm not sure what a burr. is...what family is that?
good growing! these arrangements look very nice too
Becky: Burrageara is a hybrid between Cochlioda, Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Oncidium. Belongs to the oncidium family.