beginner discussion of scale

[Roberta]

Don't stress too much on the water quality for the Phals... Unless your water is really bad they should be fine... some orchids ARE touchy about water quality (after about 20+ years of orchid growing, I bit the bullet and got an RO system that has improved my success rate on Pleurothallids and some others) , but most of the ones that you are likely to be growing (especially Phals, Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, and cane-type Dendrobiums) don't particularly care, in my experience. (My city water isn't great, not horrid, but friends who live farther inland and have much worse water still do fine with those)

[aliceinwl]

I have an Oncidium ‘Twinkle’. They want bright indirect light and to be kept a bit moister than a Phalaenopsis. For the Twinkle, when the substrate approaches dryness, it’s time to water again. I’m growing mine in a bright window with my Phalaenopsis so you can probably grow this side-by-side with yours too.

[SouthPark]

I grow a small Onc. Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' (I think that's the correct name ..... not fragranT fantasy).

It is growing in tropical conditions. 10 to 15 mm average diameter scoria pieces ..... 100% scoria. It has relatively thin roots. They tend to stick and latch onto the scoria.

I notice that it has no problems with the media drying right out. I usually water every morning, but certainly no issues when the I skip a day. Nice air-movement in the growing area. I give it medium to bright light. It flowered with 'medium' level light.

And the great thing about these miniatures is that they appear to have no problem with flowering at such small plant size, with just 1 or 2 bulbs. They appear to be pretty tough.

Just got to give their bulbs and roots good air-movement ----- to avoid oxygen starvation and rot/fungal issues. No issues are expected when we satisfy the general recommended growing requirements.

[early]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

Are you posting on orchid board from your phone? If you are, you can scroll down when you’re making a post and select manage attachments and then choose file and navigate to where your phone stores pictures and upload from there.

Alternatively, you can get a free account at sites like Flickr, upload your pictures, and copy the urls or code into your posts.

TY alice, I just have to figure out if I can get the photos from my Canon Digital, which is a very nice camera and takes great shots, to my lap top. I think I need one cord that goes from the UBS to the camera, or else try to figure out a memory stick.

I will probably see my IT friend, who for the past year has helped me with all things digital. We live 40 miles apart and not spending time, full time, together this year.
I am tired today and will start my research in the morning. I did keep changing batteries 3 of them I used and recharged last year, are not holding the charge. I am looking To get another couple of new batteries from Amazon this week and perhaps a 2nd charge as backup..as I have said, \
I become obcessed with my work or hobbies and jump in with both feet. But I got some great photos of my new mini, 3 bulbs healhy, NOID, nursery thought a Den, but the way it is growing from my research this morn, I think it is a Onc, mini Twinkle ?? Have not ID'd it yet, is yellow with wine, but will keep researching Oncidiums and hope some one here is familiar with them an their care. It is in a tiny pot with what looks like Coconut husk, or what ever they use from the Coconut. I have not looked at the roots. Don't know if they will grow in Semi Hydro. Just watered it, with a flush, keeping in under bathroom lights and skylight for now until I can ID and learn about care. Bulbs look like some I have seen in past post photos recently. going to look back to find those in search.

Are you in SJ valley. My daughter is in Berkeley Hills, very busy, but I did over the phone help her repot her 2 month old very water soaked but with all healthy roots, so I think she will doi fine with her Phal which has lots of roots.

I am laughing because she told me there is a place in East Bay that keeps orchids for the time they are not blooming. After they shoot a stem, the real owner goes to get them for the blooming. Heck the beauty of the non blooming plant and the patience to raise it for a yr or two before it blooms again is half the fun.

She was IT for 20 +yrs, tech writer, and now going for a masters in some type of language. Has taken 5 classes in Japanese, was in Japan during a Typhon last year at a lang. conference, and is a new bride of 6 yrs. Busy Gal but I think she will figure out how to take care of one Phal. to her. heehee

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

There are several types of scale insects, ranging from those with hard shells to other soft scales the the soft SOB, Boisduval scale.
Alcohol and soapy sprays are of little use, especially if the critters have established a decent population. Scales are protected by their shells and mealies populate roots in addition to the foliage. Such sprays only affect what they come into direct contact with, so hatching and maturing juveniles are free to roam and repopulate.

Ray can a mini oncidium live in semi hydro?

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DeaC

early...no help with cameras or phones but other than responses from OB members and online searches, have you considered joining an orchid soc. in your area? I think you'd fit in very well.

I checked last month but missed the first Sun in Feb. Thanks for you confidence in me.

They meet at the Botanical Gardens in Albuquerque every month. I am going in March. ABQ is only 20+ miles from me, and the gardens is near Old Town. I am looking forward to joining them and seeing all the orchids there. I fact I will probably drive up there this week and check it out. I have been to the San Francisco Biotanica, Birmingham, St Louis, when I was a little girl in MO. Saw my flower loving grandma nick a future cutting for herself from a rose. Even at that small age, I was shocked she did it, but she taught me a lot about flowers. one saved by a dirt poor Mo farm wife is a penny gained I guess.

[aliceinwl]

I’m probably about 5 hrs south of your daughter (I’m north of Santa Barbara). Good luck with your research. Hobbies are good :-) Despite their reputation a lot of orchids are incredibly tough. There’s ideal care and then what the can survive. For awhile, I was down to a spider plant and some Christmas cacti in my office as these were the only plants that could survive a two week drought when I went on vacation. Now I have 30 some orchids crammed onto my windowsill. Even those that like to kept moist can weather a couple weeks without water without missing a beat,.

[early]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

I have an Oncidium ‘Twinkle’. They want bright indirect light and to be kept a bit moister than a Phalaenopsis. For the Twinkle, when the substrate approaches dryness, it’s time to water again. I’m growing mine in a bright window with my Phalaenopsis so you can probably grow this side-by-side with yours too.

Thanks for all the info, I think for now I will leave her in the bathroom, until I repot, It has a sky light and bright lights, not the grow kind, but over mirror that I kept on last night and probably will tonight unless they need darkness at night.

Are the temp requirements about the same as the Phals.
I have a heater in there that I can use. I do not heat the entire house.

---------- Post added at 05:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I grow a small Onc. Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' (I think that's the correct name ..... not fragranT fantasy).

It is growing in tropical conditions. 10 to 15 mm average diameter scoria pieces ..... 100% scoria. It has relatively thin roots. They tend to stick and latch onto the scoria.

I notice that it has no problems with the media drying right out. I usually water every morning, but certainly no issues when the I skip a day. Nice air-movement in the growing area. I give it medium to bright light. It flowered with 'medium' level light.

And the great thing about these miniatures is that they appear to have no problem with flowering at such small plant size, with just 1 or 2 bulbs. They appear to be pretty tough.

Just got to give their bulbs and roots good air-movement ----- to avoid oxygen starvation and rot/fungal issues. No issues are expected when we satisfy the general recommended growing requirements.

Thanks. I will take your advice and perhaps put her in a slotted clear pot and as soon as repotted, Hopefully in semi hydro if that is appropriate, move her to where I have my Phals, and remember to water often.

I fell in Love with this orchid on first sight. I am sure all of you know that feeling. For months I have been saying I will stick with Phals, until I learn more, but my heart was pounding at her beauty and I took lots of photos of her.

---------- Post added at 06:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ----------

[QUOTE=SouthPark;912146]I grow a small Onc. Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' (I think that's the correct name ..... not fragranT fantasy).

It is growing in tropical conditions. 10 to 15 mm average diameter scoria pieces ..... 100% scoria. It has thin roots. They tend to stick and latch onto the scoria. ]


Where do you get the scoria. NM, a rift valley where I live shoud have plenty of volcanic rock here. I am going to try Lowe's which is about the only thing I have. I have found a hydro shop on line in ABQ. Not too far from me. I will try them second, then check out the other nursery stores while I am there. Who knows, maybe I will find another twinkle onc.

---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------

[QUOTE=SouthPark;912146]I grow a small Onc. Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' (I think that's the correct name ..... not fragranT fantasy).

I

---------- Post added at 06:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

It is growing in tropical conditions. 10 to 15 mm average diameter scoria pieces ..... 100% scoria. It has relatively thin roots. They tend to stick and latch onto the scoria.


Just got to give their bulbs and roots good air-movement ----- to avoid oxygen starvation and rot/fungal issues. No issues are expected when we satisfy the general recommended growing requirements.

have not got this quote thing down yet but try try again

[aliceinwl]

I’m growing mine indoors in my office but the heat is off overnight and on the weekends and it can get down into the mid to low 60s: it’s doing fine under these conditions.