My twinkle spikes are drying up!!

[Grandma M]

I can't give you much help except to suggest checking the P bulbs to make sure they are full and plump. That possibly will indicate if it is getting enough water.

I just bought one which is in bloom. When it finishes blooming I intend to repot it from bark to S/H. I will repot it so the P bulbs are above the surface. At the present time it is under a 4-light T5 unit as are a lot of my plants.

Hopefully someone with experience growing these will respond.

Marilyn

[Beverly]

I have a newbie question. Whats S/H stand for?
I just bought 2 twinkles acouple of weeks ago and I also have them in a south window, or I should say at a south window. They are on a humidity tray on a tv tray, next to the window, with a humidifier near it. They are blooming now, I hope I dont run into problems in the future, because they're my favorites.

[greenbean]

Originally Posted by Beverly

I have a newbie question. Whats S/H stand for?
I just bought 2 twinkles acouple of weeks ago and I also have them in a south window, or I should say at a south window. They are on a humidity tray on a tv tray, next to the window, with a humidifier near it. They are blooming now, I hope I dont run into problems in the future, because they're my favorites.

Hi Beverly! Welcome to Orchid Board!

That was one of my first questions when I joined, too.

S/H stands for Semi-Hydroponics. I'll leave it to someone who can explain it better to give you the details. You can also check out the S/H forum.

I plan on eventually switching to mostly S/H because I like the clean look it has, among other advantages. But for now, I will stick with what I already have.

[greenbean]

It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but it does look like that twinkle is too dry. I didn't think that could happen with S/H. Do the roots look healthy? The plant could also be too dry because its roots are damaged and not taking up water like they should. I feel so useless! I really hope we can help solve this problem for you irrka!!!

[slide1475]

I wonder if you shouldnt post your photos and question/problem in the S/H forum? If I am remembering correctly, there are plenty of Onc. twinkle growers in the S/H forum and I bet they would love to help.

Also, are you misting your Onc. twinkle? That should raise the humidity as well....

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[Ray]

It could be too cold. Don't forget that in s/h culture, and your low humidity, the evaporative cooling from the pot is increased. The low RH is probably another factor by itself.

Misting is a lousy way to increase humidity. Read Evaporation

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[slide1475]

Thanks Ray!

As always, you have terrific information! I dont like to think that I am making the environment more conducive to fungi, etc. I will be far more thoughtful about misting in the future and use it only when I truly want my plants to have wet leaves!

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[greenbean]

Misting Onc. Twinkles is a particularly bad idea. Their leaves are highly susceptible to forming spots when kept wet.

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[Bob c]

might be too hot for the plant.you could try hanging a sheer curtain to block some of the direct sun light.

[irrka]

Thanks for your replies! I really hope the humidifier helps! maybe i'll put some moist sphag around the top of the clay, hopefully that'll slow the evaporation down and help with humidity? what do you think?
i never did mist my plants--too effort intensive and nothing i'd be able to do every morning (and i don't mount my plants for the exact same reason