Rookie Mistake- buying a "Just Add Ice" orchid...

[4accord]

I last posted about this topic over a year ago and have learned some things since, so I thought to share with the forum in hopes of being helpful. Overall, I have been very surprised with the success of my orchids. They have "cycled" from bloom to bloom and every one of them has survived very well. I only have one that remains in moss, though - have changed the rest to bark mixture. Another one that was in moss sent up its next flowering stalk and it was much smaller than the previous year. What I now believe, and it is a generalization, is that moss may be okay for moisture but offers very little nutrition. I am firmly convinced that bark mixture and a weak fertilizer is the best possible method, but I don't argue with success, so my one plant that looks remarkably healthy can stay in the moss as long as it seems happy. Have also learned that I have to move my plants as the sunlight changes with the seasons, otherwise the light may become too strong or too little for them in the same location.

[Paul Mc]

Glad to hear of your success!!! Congrats!!!!!!

I would like to say that sphag decomposes into an acidic medium. As such, sphag is generally suggested to be replaced about every year or so. While some have great success with it, some do not, and the acidic nature may cause a problem in years to come. Just a thought...

Any-who... Congrats on your awesome success!!! Cheers!!!

[james mickelso]

PJPerez, for fertilizing info read the thread on this list about bloombooster fertilizer. Very informative info either way. Bloombooster type ferts are not for every watering use. Use a balanced fertilizer and dilute it in half or even weaker. You can water and feed at every watering.

[Ferns Daddy]

I have a phal that is one you just add ice, I couldn't stand the smell of it so I put it in orchid mix and its growing fast and no longer smells I think the sphag moss rots and starts to harm the plant, plus it just didn't look happy

[LauraLSB]

I water mine with ice cubes and it is getting is second leaf in less than a year. It is doing great!

[kma1011]

Reading these posts about not having any luck with the "Just Add Ice Orchids" is very surprising to me; especially because almost everyone says it's a gimick that doesn't work?! Very strange to read that so many people feel that way. I've had my just add ice orchid since valentines day and it is still going strong!! I've killed my share of orchids in my day and this is the first one I've had that has been beatiful and healthy every day since February; and all I've done is exactly what it says- add 3 ice cubes once a week.

Not sure why it hasn't worked for many others but I can say it's worked like a charm for me

[Jayfar]

Reading from the beginning of this thread which goes back several years, it's amusing to see that several of the people who wrote in favor of "just add ice orchids®" have exactly one post here ever. If I was a cynical person, I'd suspect that the company's marketing people are savvy enough to periodically astro-turf the orchid forums when they find their brand in a google search.

[sweetjblue]

Does seem rather suspect. Kinda makes you wonder doesn't it?
They wouldn't do something like that would they??

Judi

[james mickelso]

Well of course not!!!

[flhiker]

I have a few more post then 1.

---------- Post added at 08:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

I've explained my results in another thread about Ice. I did not lose any plants and even went as far as making ice with fert. in it. BUT I have many Phals. and some are mounted and others potted and getting the ice to stay in place can be a challenge. If you only have a couple plants it works. I have been using a African violet pitcher with a long neck to better direct the water. It won't hurt the roots or plant using ice.