Winter Watering Woes for Orchids!

[Roberta]

O_D, you are just starting down the rabbit hole of orchids. An addiction (but a healthy one) for which there is no known cure, and we're all enablers.

You'll find that there are more questions than answers, but also enough to provide an entire lifetime of learning. (That's what keeps me hooked... get one thing more or less mastered, only to discover something else interesting that I want to to pursue. )

[Leafmite]

I think this is a very good post that is leading to a lively discussion.

If you are having problems with orchid roots during the winter, you might need a medium that doesn't decompose/compact as quickly so that plenty of air continues to get to the roots at this time of year. It is not the water that kills roots but the lack of air. When the medium decomposes, it compacts and leaves less and less space for air. A lack of fresh air creates a perfect setting for the microbial enemies of the roots to thrive.

For the orchids that are not mounted, I now use 1/4 inch lava rock as a medium which is working very well. I pair the rock with pots that have little holes all over so that air can circulate around the roots.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Orchid doctor

Thank you for taking the time to share your insights and play the "devil's advocate" on my recent post about orchids. I appreciate constructive feedback from experienced members like yourself, as it provides an opportunity for me to learn and improve on my writing.

I completely understand your point about subjectivity, especially when it comes to labeling certain products as the "best." Your reminder about individual orchids having unique needs and the variability in growing conditions is well-taken. I will definitely keep that in mind moving forward.

On the other side, playing "devil's advocate" to your comment - isn't "Best" subjective? like best phone, best movie, best city, etc.
or you would think that, while writing it is a good practice to specify. Thanks again for helping me learn!

---------- Post added at 05:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:18 PM ----------

Thank you Roberta, WW, Estacion Ceca,
Minicoerulea all for your feedback and explanation.
I would definitely be mindful of posting content (go over existing first to not have duplication) and semantics of writing (shy away from always, never, best, etc.).

If you're talking about subjective, you might want to start with your definition of the word "orchid" when making broad statements meant to apply to all orchids. Most of my orchids are currently preparing to spend the winter under a cover of snow.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Orchid doctor

On the other side, playing "devil's advocate" to your comment - isn't "Best" subjective? like best phone, best movie, best city, etc.
or you would think that, while writing it is a good practice to specify. Thanks again for helping me learn![COLOR="Silver"]

"Best", in your stated examples, is what "ticks the most boxes" for the individual.

What I was trying to convey is that the plant needs what it needs - i.e., has its own boxes ticked - with some being more or less flexible than others. I have been known to refer to orchids as being the "Goldilocks" of the plant world. They don't care about the grower's opinion on the matter.

What we are shooting for is "the best" overall cultural conditions for the plant. How you get there, that is, what products and methods you use to achieve that, is relatively unimportant, as long as it gets you there. Two growers can get the the "best conditions" using entirely different methods, so an individual's selection of "what is the best" potting medium or container is not universal.

[tmoney]

howdy!

welcome to the ob, od! you stepped into with this one, but i must commend you on your well handled responses. as new growers ourselves, we can only say that we have learned a ton from this place and the members here truly are well meaning. im glad you are only taking their responses as constructive criticism.

now to your point specifically, when growing indoors with no additional fans, lights, etc., (and at a decently high latitude) we also need to be mindful of overwatering our phalaenopsis. last year especially we didn't use the heat that much and so our space was quite cold. for some of our species phals, besides being on the cold end of the range, i believe we would have had better success if we decreased watering instead of keeping the same schedule as summer. lessons learned, i suppose!

[Rwhb12]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

For the orchids that are not mounted, I now use 1/4 inch lava rock as a medium which is working very well. I pair the rock with pots that have little holes all over so that air can circulate around the roots.

For all orchids?

Russ

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Rwhb12

For all orchids?

Russ

Here is what I am growing in the smaller rock:
Zygopetalum
Dracula papillosa
Oncidium cheirophorum, Oncidium sotoanum, Oncidium Twinkle 'Fantasy'
Mini-Cattleyas, including C. schilleriana and C. aclandiae
Brassavola
Psychopsis Mendenhall
Dracula Papillosa
Paph delenatii
Cycnodes Wine Delight
Phal bellina
Phal schilleriana

I will be adding the new Encyclia when it arrives (it will be bare-root) and, in the spring, the Cycnoches.

I live here in Ohio with dim, dreary winters so I need a medium that continues to allow air to flow around the roots. The larger lava rock was great when I was growing Standard Cattleyas and larger Angraecums but the current orchids seem to want more humidity around the roots which the smaller rock does quite well.

Surprisingly, I am really getting into the miniature mounted orchids as I do not have to worry about medium at all.