Repotting using lava rocks?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

I have over a hundred and often have nothing in bloom

Over a hundred flowering size orchids, right? For this situation, it will be beneficial to take a look at each orchid you have ----- and make notes about the activity of each one (or each type) - like how long does it take for a new shoot to develop, and how many new shoots are developed, and the general behaviour - such as ----- does each new growth have close to 100% spiking (budding) probability(?), and what times of the year is it expected to produce spikes (if it does produce them).

With an adequate amount of details about each plant, and their numbers, at somebody (eg. a mathematician) should be able to estimate the probability of having at least 1 plant (in the collection) having a flower on it at any particular time.

Your idea of sheer numbers expected to increase the likelihood of the above condition - definitely makes sense. But the actual number (of the 'sheer' numbers) can probably be minimised through optimisation ----- by strategically choosing particular types or kinds of plants to go into the collection. Growing conditions would also need to be factored in of course.

Your friend having 26 orchids might be a case of an optimised set of plants that achieves that particular 'goal'.

I personally think that - in general - having no bloom at some times of the year is typical for the general hobby/amateur orchid grower. But definitely - sheer numbers and variety is expected to 'up' the chance of 1 plant being in bloom at any particular time of the year. An extreme case of this is the entire orchid plant collection of this world.....which includes all the orchids in nature, and all the orchids we have (yours, mine, etc). 100% probability - guaranteed.

[sharon lynn]

DirtyCoconuts..wow! I don’t have nearly that amount of orchids..I only have 16 ! I don’t have a greenhouse although I’d love to have one ..or even just a orchid room..I’m hoping to get one built next summer . I need to do a lot of research first tho because of our weather here & I don’t know enough about where to put one etc.. I have lots of time to figure it out this winter tho ..it's cold avg -10 to -30 F plus wind & lots of snow until March 😁 then I can get more & more &more...lol

[Leafmite]

I use red lava rock for most of my orchids. I pair this up with basket pots. For the orchids that need more water, I put the basket pot in a clear plastic container that reaches the top of the pot. When the roots turn white, I soak the orchid until the roots are once more green, then dump most of the water out of the container, leaving a little on the bottom. So, Lava rock can work with orchids that need more water if you are diligent.

Many of the people in my Orchid Society are using LECA and/or rock wool with these orchids and the orchid always sits in a saucer of water.

When transferring plants from another medium to lava rock, I like to soak the orchid well before removing it from the pot, then gently place the dry rock around the orchid roots and, after, keep the orchid dry for a day to give the roots a chance to heal. Small breaks or nicks in the roots can easily get infected if not allowed to heal first (an alternative is using a chemical that prevents disease). Once the roots have that chance to Heal, I then begin watering as the orchid requires it.

Some other tips with lava rock: Flush well often to prevent fertilizer from collecting until it becomes toxic. Add a source of calcium and other micronutrients as the lava rock contributes no nutrients. Calcium builds stronger cell walls in orchids as they grow and this helps to prevent bacterial and fungal issues.
As lava rock is sharp, try not to move the orchid much until the roots are established enough to hold the orchid steady. Staking or wiring the orchid in place can help keep the orchid from wiggling in the pot.

Good luck with your orchid, whatever you choose to do with it!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Yeah. The benefits of Florida...they don’t call it the land of the flowers for nothing


I am building a lath house this weekend and I will have some significant improvements then. I know my current patio room only gets peak light at 2000 lux so I am not getting anywhere near enough light for about half my plants.

I knew that going in figuring I’d have more expansion as time allowed.

I’d say of my 110+\-, maybe 70 are of bloom size or more, I have not optimized my blooming as I know I am light deficient. I figure i can get really big, healthy plants and them move them to more light gradually