Growing masdies/draculas in glass bowls?

[raindance168]

I would say that the balls/rocks/hydroton/LECA and sphag in the glass aren't strictly necessary because the main point of the setup is to create a small, humid space during the day to provide the roots with plenty of moisture without letting them sit in water. All you really need is the medium in the pot itself to block/reduce air holes between the pot and glass to trap the majority of the moisture inside the glass. This is why the system won't work with a plant sitting bare root in the pot.

As for me, I'm thinking of trying a modified version of this with some neofinetia divisions and/or perhaps the dracula lotax I just ordered. I'm just going to scrounge around campus for some appropriate plastic or glass cups, bottles and jars first, haha. Don't want to spend more money than I have to. There might not be enough air movement for the roots, but we'll see. The possible variations and different containers one could possibly use are endless!

[DelawareJim]

After reading the thread, I tried this with cosmia and another small Masdy. The hardest part was finding the bowls that the net pot didn't drop into. The garden centre I got them at also sells candles, home decoration, etc. and the bowls were in the candles isle. I literally took every single bowl off the shelf and tried my net pot in the opening before I found 2 out of about 30 where the pot didn't drop into the bowl. The shop staff was getting a little nervous with me sitting on the floor surrounded by all these little bowls.

So I potted up my Masdies in long-fibre sphagnum, in a coco liner, in the net pot, in the bowl and after a couple of months, I really don’t notice any difference compared with my other Masdies. Since most of them are small plants, I found growing them in a nursery flat under a high dome used for starting seeds works the best. The domes have two adjustable vents at the top where I can control the humidity in the dome.

Cheers.
Jim

[RedOrchid]

Out here we have the Salvation Army Store and the Goodwill Stores, and I have found a lot of the round bowls there. The price is much better also.

Ruth

[frogman182]

I know this thread is a little old, but it has got me thinking. This setup provides plenty of cool humidity to the roots, but what about the leaves? Do you have to do mist them down more growing this way? Or when it comes down to it, is it not so much keeping the whole plant humid as it is the roots?

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by frogman182

I know this thread is a little old, but it has got me thinking. This setup provides plenty of cool humidity to the roots, but what about the leaves? Do you have to do mist them down more growing this way? Or when it comes down to it, is it not so much keeping the whole plant humid as it is the roots?

In answer to Frogman's post, I have them growing in hydroton balls, S/H style. The humidity from the water maintained in the bottom of the glass vase keeps the plants in the moisture level they need. They are on a heat mat, and contrary to what I've been told, (about masdies having to be kept cool) they are doing well. Don't know if this answers your question. To date, I now have 2 oncidiums spiking, on the same glass shelf with 3 spiking phals. All are recieving the same treatment, same watering schedual, and all are growing new leaves, new roots, and as I said, spiking. Go figure!

[frogman182]

Makes me think I've been growing these the wrong way. I've been trying to keep the whole plant cool and humid. If all I need to worry about is the roots, the growing these just got way easier for me

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by frogman182

Makes me think I've been growing these the wrong way. I've been trying to keep the whole plant cool and humid. If all I need to worry about is the roots, the growing these just got way easier for me

Well I am certainly no expert-I'd hate to see you follow my methods and have it all go wrong. I'll add here that I haven't had any spiking yet with the masdies. I am newest with them and have no idea of the time table they bloom from.

[stefpix]

I put a Pleurothallis sp. in a Påltig vase from Ikea. It is a similar concept as the bowl as there is some space between the pot and the bottom of the vase but the tall vase helps to keep humidity around the leaves.
The pleuro was making lots of keikis from the leaves but the roots were drying up.

[RJSquirrel]

well let me see your jars and your plants youv'e put into them. looking for the baskets that fit the bowls are the hardest part. Ive totrn a few depts up looking for things that fit myself..I found a new source for my bowls though. 99c store got to love it..They are 1.09 now.

mine are doing wonderfully great...they are spending the spring outdoors while its still comparably cool. they will have to go back under lights in the house for the summer..got new growth and spikes everywhere. I have a bunch of new ones getting ready to move in to their homes real soon..I hope you all have been having fun? I havent seen this thread in a long time.. They get buried soooo fast if it not in my face I tend to forget they exist.

Ill bring an updated photo of all I have in them.


stef it seems like the roots would soak up some water from it,you got the roots wrapped in sphagnum? try that. the things that need to stay moist I wrap the roots in sphagnum. don't be cheap get the good stuff you will have better results..

[stefpix]

yeah roots in Sphagnum. in a net pot in a clay pot in glass vase. Clay pot soaks up some water.