Growing masdies/draculas in glass bowls?

[Paul Mc]

Would this work for cooler growing Masdie's as well? I'm assuming that the amount of heat/light needed for this micro-system to work would kill cooler growing Masdie's. Is this a correct assumption?

[peeper]

Now, I'm far from an expert, but my masdies are in a pretty low light situation. The temp is about 80, So far they seem to love it, new growth abounds! I have an issue of not watering Enough, so this is working for me, I really appreciate the low attention level that I have been able to give. I can water these like my other orchids, 1 time per week, depending, rather than daily.

[peeper]

Originally Posted by plantaholic

How about using a Mason jar? Granted that wouldn't be as attractive as the green moss in a glass bowl but it might fit in a 'country style' house (or one where we just spend all our money on 'chids and don't have anything left for attractive containers).

I imagine Mason jars would work just fine, just make sure that the mouth of the jar fits the lip of the pot. Also that the jar is deep enough, I think that a quart jar would be good, so that the roots aren't sitting in water.

That's a really good idea actually, it would look very "country"... I like it.

[peeper]

Originally Posted by help

okay. will do. how do you manage the moisture in these?

So far, I've just waited until there is no more water at the bottom and I check to make sure that the top of the media isn't terribly wet. These masdies really like the moisture, I'm seeing new leaves popping out all over on all three.

Originally Posted by plantaholic

This looks like a cool idea. I have been wondering about using those net bags that come around veggies, etc. You know the ones I mean. I had some bulbs come in them and other things and just had the idea that orchids just might grow okay in them. What do you think about using those?

I'm sure that it would work, I would just worry about breakdown of the bag. As well, that it doesn't "seal" the Micro-enviornment in as RJSquirell said.

Originally Posted by NiNiDazzle

I never even considered growing a masdie because I just can't give it the humidity. This really has my brain rolling though...

How do you fertilize? How often?

I'm only going to fertilize every 4th watering, weakly, since they don't really dry out and they aren't really abble to be flushed as normal. I guess that I'll have to figure that one out too...

RJ... how are you fertilizing??

[Vina]

Its great I found this thread! Looks interesting to me. I had always this underwatering issue with masdies.
Thanks for an idea, it's worth trying.

[RJSquirrel]

I use fertilizer in my spray bottle mister of a 20% solution of peters cal/mag. They getz a little spritz everyday of less than the avg weekly weakly dose. Once you water the moss down if that whats you choose to use they dont really need much watering or attention at all .

Have at least 12 spikes I can count on 4 different plants, they are busy building they little mounds of masdy.


"start off with a nice plant and you will have a better plant. start off with a bad plant and thats all you will ever have."

[Orchidreamer]

OK I tried it with my plants. Thanks for the great advice! The only problem was that the bowls don't exactly fit the pot...but that was the best I could do. I've been watering them regularly, and every time I water, the water pools at the bottom of the bowl. Then I have to gently tip the plant/bowl upside down (very carefully, with nothing falling loose) to get rid of the extra water. Do you have to do that? I guess it's not a big deal if the pool of water doesn't touch the net pot, but it makes me nervous when it does. Just wondering.

[peeper]

I don't pour it out, I just don't let it touch the roots. And now I'm just gonna let them marinate, not going to do much but fertilize the way RJ said. So far, mine are doing well. Did loose buds when I moved them, the light was too bright. But they seem to be doing well.

[stefpix]

I think you do not really need to put sphag in the bowl / jar. I sometimes put the net pot in a cleat plastic cup that is taller and the roots grow out of the bottom of the net pot into the cup. there is going to be humidity in that space no matter of what. I grow most of my stuff in net pots inserted in a clay / clear pot or in a plastic cup. I poke a hole on the side of the plastic cup so the water / rain will not fill more than the bottom inch.

[plantaholic]

A mason jar has a 2 part lid. I'm thinking that the twist on ring part of the lid would hold a heavy duty net bag/pot which would keep the plant above the water/clay balls. Squirrel, in your pics, the plant seems to be coming out of a dome of moss above the pot level. Is this the case?