equestris - Orchid Board

mayoo-k · #1 06-10-2009, 07:06 PM

Hi All.

I have tried again to keep a phal equestris! wish me luck as I have killed one already! the new one has its flowers dropping VERY quickly!!!! any advice! the roots look a little damp and green however i have not watered it for at least 2 weeks. any advice and tips on keeping alive an equestris?

Regards
Mayoo

seamonkey · #2 06-10-2009, 07:48 PM

How did the last one die?

catgrrrl · #3 06-10-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoo-k

Hi All.

I have tried again to keep a phal equestris! wish me luck as I have killed one already! the new one has its flowers dropping VERY quickly!!!! any advice! the roots look a little damp and green however i have not watered it for at least 2 weeks. any advice and tips on keeping alive an equestris?

Regards
Mayoo

Hi, Mayoo. I am a total beginner and I just recently purchased 2 equestris, too, from 2 different nurseries. I had to repot one so I did in semi-hydroponics ("S/H") and I left the other in the moss medium that it came in.

The one in S/H only had buds and is in a north window; the one in the moss medium is close to a south window and had quite a few buds and open flowers. (I didn't want to put them in the same room, as I wanted to isolate them from one another since I just got them.) I have to say that the S/H one is doing VERY well. The flowers are opening up and it looks very healthy. The moss one isn't looking as good - droopy flowers after a week - even though it seemed more mature with a number of open flowers. I don't know if it is the different light, the potting medium or the source nursery that is making the difference. I still have a couple of weeks before I move it into the same room as the other. If it starts to deteriorate dramatically, I may just go ahead and repot it into S/H. Otherwise, if it can wait 2 1/2 more weeks, I will move it into the other room with the S/H equestris and see how it does.

I think eventually I will put all of my orchids in S/H.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 06-10-2009, 08:32 PM

Scroll down the screen and see the Phalaenopsis growing in the wild and you'll know why Phals and growing them potted in moss is a disaster in the making.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DG%26um%3D1

catgrrrl · #5 06-10-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Scroll down the screen and see the Phalaenopsis growing in the wild and you'll know why Phals and growing them potted in moss is a disaster in the making.

Google Image Result for http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/Hanguana190207.jpg

Yes, King of Orchid Growing, I hate that they are in it. I was very tempted to just repot everyone, but I was afraid that they would have trouble adjusting with such a drastic change from moss to S/H while they were expending so much energy blooming. I was advised that I should wait until I see new root growth before I repot into S/H, if the plant seems to be doing well. (I did just get an order from Ray, so I am ready to go when needed.)

luckygrower · #6 06-12-2009, 12:02 AM

I was advised by Ray that going from moss to S/H is a easy transition for the plant.The proof is that in April I transplanted 6 violacea's from sphag moss to S/H and they are doing great, new roots and one has a spike emerging

Ranchnanny · #7 06-12-2009, 12:07 AM

I have one Equestris and its Keiki both in s/h and both are doing great. They have re-bloomed for the second time.

Sheridan

catgrrrl · #8 06-12-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

I have one Equestris and its Keiki both in s/h and both are doing great. They have re-bloomed for the second time.

Sheridan

Now, I feel like I should just go ahead and do them all. I have to say the 2 that I have in S/H are a breeze to take care of compared to the others. I tend to worry about the others - water, yet? water, yet? It does force me to take a good look at them every day. Maybe I'll just do it anyway - even if I lose some flowers.

Ray · #9 06-12-2009, 09:43 AM

The reason that moss-to-s/h is "easy" on the plant is that both are very wet root environments, so the roots that grew in the moss are already tailored to those conditions - little-to-no transition shock. If anything, the move to s/h could be a "relief" to the plant, as its rooks can suddenly "breathe" again.

catgrrrl · #10 06-12-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

The reason that moss-to-s/h is "easy" on the plant is that both are very wet root environments, so the roots that grew in the moss are already tailored to those conditions - little-to-no transition shock. If anything, the move to s/h could be a "relief" to the plant, as its rooks can suddenly "breathe" again.

Thanks for the information, Ray. I have a feeling, I may just make this a s/h weekend, then. I am finding myself obsessing over whether or not the phals in the moss are ok. I'm supposed to be enjoying this, not constantly worrying.