Halloween seems like a good day for the Ghost Orchid update I promised. I've had them about a month now.
One thing I learned is that the seedlings fall off the mounts provided by Oak Hill when the sphagnum moss dries out. Here are two that I left growing in my drip tray. They appear to be struggling. It's probably because they've been knocked off the tiny stone more than I care to admit. When I first found them in the drip tray, they looked pretty good. I think I need to cover them with chicken wire or something like that to protect them.
Dendrophylax lindenii by
Gardentheater, on Flickr
Now for some good news. The mount below on the left looks like it's hanging in there.
The one on the right has lost more roots since my last update.
I can't tell if the growth areas on the seedlings are healthy. I'm not sure what to look for. I might have to wait until spring and warmer weather to see if they grow.
Dendrophylax lindenii 10/31 by
Gardentheater, on Flickr
Here's what they looked like on 10/18. A seedling on the left mount fell off and in the 10/31 picture is now tucked in on the upper right (edited: left) side of mount.
Dendrophylax lindenii 10/18 by
Gardentheater, on Flickr
Here's where the healthier looking mount is growing. The humidity spiked to 76 after watering. Before that it was around 66. The Angraecum next to it is putting out new shoots and seems to be happy. It's roots are covered in Spanish Moss. I'm told it helps to keep up the humidity around the roots.
We live between an ocean and a bay in a mild climate. We usually have enough humidity inside the house for orchids and these are in a kitchen window. In most homes the furnace and air conditioning would cause the humidity to be too low for growing in an open area like this. It works for some Aerangis and Angraecum that can take a wide range of temperatures (60F to 85F). Time will tell if it works for Dendrophylax seedlings. It's pretty cool to have a kitchen window that is like a terrarium.
Our tap water comes from the Sierra Nevada snow melt and it's good for Masdies and other orchids that are sensitive to TDS. I usually use the charcoal filtered water on the Ghosts to take out some of the chloramine.
Angraecum and Ghost Orchid by
Gardentheater, on Flickr
Dendrophylax lindenii Halloween Ghost Update
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