Grandma Ruth's ORchids - Orchid Board

Mama2Raven · #1 01-08-2009, 05:11 PM

Hello Everyone! I am so new.

I have using this board as a lurker

to help my orchids on my own. But now I want some opinions and any constructive help.

Background: My husband's grandmother was an avid gardener. She had the benefit of a Southern California climate. She grew these amazing HUGE yellow cyms on her back porch. A few years ago I took a cutting (in my inexperience I only took a back bulb) and took it home. I tried like mad to get it to do anything. and after a LONG time it sent out a new growth spikes but then died.

Well Grandma Ruth recently passed away. We went back out to SoCal and I got a few different psudobulbs (one small and a medium sized one, one with leaves one without.) for the trip back home to Pittsburgh, PA. So far they are maintaining but I fear they are getting worse. Since she is no longer with us and the family has sold the house, I know this is my last chance to get these plants healthy. I think it would be soooo amazing if i could do that for my husband who was very close to his grandmother.

The Current Situation:

They had no roots. However I was able to get roots to grow on all of the 5 plants. Then things started to get worse. I have them planted in a standard Orchid growing mix. I water them once a week to 10 days or so. I have only fertilized them once since I have had them. It is winter here so hardly any good light. I have them in the brightest one I have. They get no direct light.

I noticed last week that the roots were starting to get brown and mushy. So I cut away all the dark and bad looking roots (which were only a few! thank God!)

On the plus side all but one of the plants show new growth spikes with the sugar water seeping from them. One plant seems stunted.

Also I can get them to sit right in the pot. Am i using the right medium? What is the best procedure to use to pot up an orchid like Cyms? and watering, am i doing it too much? Should i be misting them for humidity?

I have seen so many conflicting reports on the internet and I can't get any useful info. Please help me save a family tradition.

I am going to try to post some pictures. Not great pictures but these are the ones i have right now. I will have more as soon as i can figure out how to post pictures.

Any and all advice is welcome!!!

p.s. Since getting the first Orchid that died, I have been completely into orchid growing. I just love it. It's so interesting!! I have the orchid bug!!!!

Royal · #2 01-08-2009, 05:52 PM

Welcome to the Board and the hobby/addiction! Lots of folks here grow Cymbs really well. Me - not so much. But the OB did help me make mine a lot happier. The main thing that did it was coconut husk chunks. Mine love it! Paphs too. That's just my two cents, I'm sure you'll get better. Glad you joined us.

Becca · #3 01-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Hi and glad you have joined us! My question is are they all cyms that you brought back? If so....I don't think cyms will like the standard growing mix....they need something that is more moisture retentive like coconut husk chunks (What Royal recommended). Let's see what the cym growers have to say. I had some before the raccoons got to them and I had them in s/h and Aussie Gold mix and the roots seemed to love both potting mediums. I would think that the standard orchid mix would be on the dry side for cyms...but if you are having problems with root rot then that doesn't make sense? Lets wait and see what the experts have to say!

WhiteRabbit · #4 01-08-2009, 06:58 PM

glad you found the board - and can get your cyms going

my

here in sf bay area mine are potted in combo of fine and med fir bark with perlite and some styro mixed in.
they stay outside year round - tho we seldom even drop to freezing here. - in summer I water well 2-3 xs a week - in winter seldom. It is my understanding they like to stay moist - but not soggy.

back bulbs should remain shaded until there is some decent root growth - I kept mine in shady corner of porch - but other than that they like a good deal of light.

I don't know what your weather )temps, humidity are there. ? here the daytime is mod - dry humidity wise but very damp and cool at night which is what they like.

so - I don't know if other more experienced growers have the same advice - just know that this has worked for me

and keep us posted

Mama2Raven · #5 01-08-2009, 07:12 PM

Thanks so much. I know the medium isn't great. The plants keep falling over! I am going to try to find coconut husks and see what happens.

Yes all of the cyms I am talking about were taken from the same "mother" cym in california. This plant was MASSIVE. I wish I had a picture of it.

The roots going mushy confuses me also. One some of the plants, the roots are great, white with the green tip and firm. (It makes me think they are so longing to be saved but I can't figure out what's wrong) But then on some half are mushy and half are white with green tip??!

Royal · #6 01-08-2009, 10:10 PM

Sounds like you got some good tips. Here's one more: Make sure to presoak any Coco husk very well to rinse any salts out.

Becca · #7 01-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Oh...I forgot to mention that a good place to get pre-made mixes for all the different kinds of 'chids is repotme.com. They aren't cheap...but the quality and customer service is top notch!

WhiteRabbit · #8 01-08-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mama2Raven

The plants keep falling over! I am going to try to find coconut husks and see what happens.

use toothpicks to prop up bulb

Mama2Raven · #9 01-09-2009, 12:25 PM

UPDATE: Last night my husband and I put the orchids under some lights to supplement the winter grayness. I noticed several things. On one plant there are small black flecks that are NOT dirt. What are they? and How do I get rid of it?

Also, I checked the roots on all of the plants to make sure that the mushy root issue didn't return, and I found that one had no roots at all. none. what can i do to encourage new root growth?

I have so many questions!

I am going to try to post some pictures. thank you! that is all for now!

Mama2Raven · #10 01-09-2009, 12:31 PM

UPDATE: So I moved the cyms under the lights. They seem to like it more than the window sill. The color looks a bit better. One is even showing signs of new root growth.

I have ordered and am anxiously waiting for my coconut chunks to arrive for a much needed repotting. I was thinking of adding perlite to the coconut husk chunks. Any thoughts on the effectiveness of that?

For the time, it seems the plants are maintaining. And maintaining is much better than degrading in my book.