How to care for orchid compot? - Orchid Board

adlemsi · #1 06-06-2008, 01:08 AM

Hi! I bought two orchid compots on eBay, which will be shipped out on Saturday. One is a Phal. Amabilis Species compot (18-20 seedlings) and the other is a Phal. Stuartiana Species mini-compot (4 seedlings). I wanted to give seedlings a try but need lots of advise. I know it's a bit more difficult, but I figured if I follow suggestions from experienced growers their rate of survival could be high.

Thanks in advance and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Faan · #2 06-06-2008, 01:43 AM

I think the thing you must watch out for is rot. Take care that you do not keep the plants too wet as that will sure kill them. The basic care I think is to provide enough air movement and enough humidity. The last is necessary as the roots are usually very brittle and can easily break. Personally I would leave the plants in the compot as long as I can - rather too long that too short. They like being together. Not too much fertilizer.

adlemsi · #3 06-06-2008, 07:53 AM

Thank you, Faan!

adlemsi · #4 06-07-2008, 01:15 PM

I'm thinking of using the s/h method for these seedlings when they are ready to be potted separately. Does any one have any suggestions on how I can go about doing this? How long should I wait & how big should the seedlings be when I remove them from the compot?

adlemsi · #5 06-07-2008, 03:31 PM

So I just bought all the supplies I need for the s/h method. I want to be prepared to make the transfer when the seedlings are ready to be separated.

adlemsi · #6 06-09-2008, 07:48 PM

I just received my two compots!!

They are SO CUTE!!

Since I'm still new at this I'd like to know the basics of caring for these babies.

Should I water them the way I water my blooming size? I water those weekly (or whenever my water meter lights up yellow) with filtered water and let it drain through the pot, making sure water don't sit at the bottom. How much sunlight do they need? What is the suggested feeding regime?

I will definitely keep an eye out for root rot. I have all the supplies needed, but would like to know how I need to adjust usage for these seedlings. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope I do a good job raising these seedlings.

Craig · #7 06-09-2008, 11:36 PM

glad you like your little phals, i bet they are neat little rascles, i have a very small little baby phal also,i like him,, im growing all my phals in spag, at first i read it was easy to get root rot,with spag but i havent had any signs of it yet,, i try to let it dry out before i water again, ive got my catts in medium fir bark, but the more i use the spag its growing on me, i used to grow other plants in rockwool, under lights back awile ago, they were monsterous, ive been looking at the web at s/h, for orchids,, i know the plants get everything they need if you use hydroponics, it will astonish you when you see the growth rate!! good luck, i will keep up with this thread!!

adlemsi · #8 06-09-2008, 11:57 PM

My compots are potted in sphag, which I'm not thrilled about, but I guess I'll just have to be careful and more watchful with the seedlings.

When I was showing the Stuartiana compot to my mother I did notice that one of the seedlings was a bit loose, so I tucked it's roots in the sphag more firmly. Since I received the compots late this afternoon, I won't be able to water them (they're dry according to my water meter) until tomorrow morning.

I'm wondering about fertilizing and feeding though...

adlemsi · #9 06-10-2008, 08:53 PM

Today I bought a glass bell jar and put both compots in it to help maintain the humidity. I watered them this morning for the first time since I received them, but I didn't add fertilizer or orchid food. Should add these to my next watering? What about KLN to promote root growth?

Craig · #10 06-11-2008, 02:16 AM

hi ive been watching this close im going to be right behind you here ive herd people say to use KLN or Superthrive i guess if it was deluted a bunch maybe can anyone out there give us an aproximate tsp per gal ratio for these compots? ive been using spag with more and more of my orchids and all my phals, i also use medium fir bark and pertilite rock on my bigger cattleyas, i think the main thing is with spag is wet it good when watering and then let it just about dry out till its damp wait a day then water it takes about two weeks my bark drys out in couple days bone dry. seems like people who have probs with root rot soak the spag and let it stay mushy till it grows into green slopp, but the more i notice my phals when i hold off on watering the spag the plants thrive and seem to grow more in the start i was in fear of it but im tryingit in all my orchids now it seems like they take less maintinance and grow better, but thats my oppinion, some people swear against it but i noticed alot of people with nice orchids like Mauro Rasim on here grow alot in just spag, just my notes on it though, good luck ok, i hope we get some feedback on your post and mine!! talk at you soon!!