Super Sphag n-Bag results - Page 4 - Orchid Board

Tropic · #31 10-25-2008, 09:02 PM

I also have a preference for reed stem epidendrums and have them in various parts of my exterior garden ... where they grow very well and at this time of the year I have to cut them back a bit and this results in the establishment of other Epi. corners. This year I want to have them in various colours and shades in a mixture of positions, mingling with the usual common garden inhabitants, so I will need to increase their population. I use a very diluted (1/4 teaspoon/ 2 gallon rain water) low nitrogen liquid fertilizer, giving them a misting once a week and this depends upon the weather. I do have a problem finding reed stem Epidendrums in the Miami area and will probably have to look more in Central FL for some new crosses to purchase, so the hunt never ends.

Tropic · #32 10-25-2008, 10:35 PM

Jay, I also grow my Phrags. in live Sphagnum moss having had lots of success also with Phaius and Phaiocalanthe hybrids.
Usually I put a base of hardwood charcoal at the bottom of the pot for drainage, then a layer of coconut (coir) to about half the pot, fill the rest with loose live Sphagnum moss placed around the orchid plant leaving about 2 inches below the rim of the pot free for the Sphagnum moss to grow. Flush and mist regularly with rain water. Good luck.

calvin_orchidL · #33 10-26-2008, 02:16 AM

I just wanted to say that this is a fantastic thread! Thanks to everyone for posting pics of their live sphag. I'd been trying to get some old stuff to grow for ages, to no avail. Then, I unpotted a phal I had and lo and behold on the inside of the pot, some of the sphag had come to life

I immediately put some in several containers and watered it with RO...some are doing okay, but I feel like they can NOT be allowed to dry out. Do you primarily grow them in pots with no holes? Otherwise, how do you keep them moist enough to get such lush growth (short of misting every 3 hours!)

Tropic · #34 10-26-2008, 03:06 PM

Calvin, the apparent success of my growing orchids with live Sphagnum moss is most probably due to the fact that my greenhouse is on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 4500 ft. with a cool climate and having the evenings humid with mist drifting freely through the greenhouse and so giving an ideal climate for the moss and cool growing orchids. However, I do grow my choice sphagnum moss in plastic pop bottles that have been sterilized and the sphagnum moss placed within, given a spray of rain water and bottle top tightened. I leave the bottle in a cool area where it can also get a lot of sun and leave it closed until I am ready to harvest some fresh live Sphagnum moss. Photos show a 2L plastic coke bottle with growing sphag. moss placed within about two weeks ago.

calvin_orchidL · #35 10-26-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropic

Calvin, the apparent success of my growing orchids with live Sphagnum moss is most probably due to the fact that my greenhouse is on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 4500 ft. with a cool climate and having the evenings humid with mist drifting freely through the greenhouse and so giving an ideal climate for the moss and cool growing orchids. However, I do grow my choice sphagnum moss in plastic pop bottles that have been sterilized and the sphagnum moss placed within, given a spray of rain water and bottle top tightened. I leave the bottle in a cool area where it can also get a lot of sun and leave it closed until I am ready to harvest some fresh live Sphagnum moss. Photos show a 2L plastic coke bottle with growing sphag. moss placed within about two weeks ago.

That's a great idea! I have to try it...with the little bit of live moss I have left

But after you move it out of the containers, how do you keep it alive?

Tropic · #36 10-26-2008, 09:22 PM

My neighbour has her farm on the western slope of the mountain ridge and also grows orchids. They are about the same altitude as my greenhouse and obtain water from the same source ... but she cannot successfully grow sphagnum moss for her plants which really needs it for her mini-orchids and therefore she has to use other growing media that also works very well for most species.
When I harvest the sphrag from the bottles, I plant it into new areas around the top of the existing pots and there I leave it to grow naturally on a layer of coir, giving it a misting of rain water every two days and a complete flushing once a week. A very dilute liquid foliar fertilizer with low nitrogen is given twice a week and basically, I let the plants do their thing, being careful to not add any salts to anything I might use, therefore no threat to the living sphrag and the orchids. Heat and humidity also plays an important part in the success with sphagnum moss growth and here I also am lucky to have a natural fog that comes in most evenings and keeps the greenhouse ideally wet until the dawn. By afternoon, the greenhouse is usually fairly dry again. So, unfortunately I cannot really offer a cut & dry solution to successfully growing sphrag and suggest trying to keep to the basic requirements that have been given, experiment and be ready for any surprises.

Leisurely · #37 10-27-2008, 10:05 PM

I use the dried sphagnum moss on a few things and I just wanted to mention Sporotrichosis, a dread disease that can be contracted by using the moss. As a minimum, rubber gloves and a mask is recommended. I have read about the risks involved several times but I guess it didn't scare me enough since I am still using it. I am hoping that what we get is sterilized and all of the spores killed during the process.

Tropic · #38 10-28-2008, 12:25 AM

There is always a fear of getting some infection from a fungus when one handles so many different materials and growing media in a normal garden. The infection of Sporotrichosis when using Sphagnum moss is a possibility, as it is also a danger when working with roses, pine tree seedlings and other thorny bushes. Once accidently puncturing the skin when handling some of these plants and growing medium, there is always the chance that the wound would allow some fungus to gain entry and cause trouble. It is therefore best to always use gloves and exercise some protection against possible punctures and scrapes when working in the garden. I also use alcohol gel regularly on my hands and arms when doing tricky garden work where there is a chance to get some skin damage. But I must also admit that I have not yet seen a case of a Sporotrichosis infection here and all of my sphagnum moss is wet and alive ... but, I never trust any of these fungi and bacteria, especially in the tropical climate.

Jerry Delaney · #39 10-28-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropic

There is always a fear of getting some infection from a fungus when one handles so many different materials and growing media in a normal garden. The infection of Sporotrichosis when using Sphagnum moss is a possibility, as it is also a danger when working with roses, pine tree seedlings and other thorny bushes.

I know that this is off the subject, but Tropic's last post is one that reminded me that fungus infections acquired while gardening are not the only problem we should consider. Those scrapes, cuts and punctures that are so easy to get while gardening can also lead to tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw). As we acquire more maturity (that sounds better than saying "getting older") we tend to forget that one should get a booster about every ten years. I know that the odds are slim of contracting tetanus, but about 3-4 of every 10 cases wind up in a hearse!

Tropic · #40 10-28-2008, 02:20 AM

Jerry, you are absolutely right and I am glad you brought this other aspect of potential garden infections to our notice. In fact I did loose a good friend to tetanus when he got infected via a thorn prick after fertilizing his rose bushes with a top dressing of horse manure. I would therefore like to suggest that it would be a good idea to start a new Forum thread dealing with the poblems of infections that could result from growing orchids ... the good, the bad and the downright evil. I am sure there are others among our members who are more qualified to cover this important subject and so enlighten us with some data. We have to protect not only our orchids but also their growers from a whole world of toxins and plagues that appear to be increasing as we age and venture into new areas.