Hello!
I've just recently been bitten by the orchid bug - and boy am I a goner…. already planning the greenhouse!
Yesterday I came across the clearance rack in Lowes and fell for 2 sorry NOID mini Phals. I knew they were fairly bad off but decided to see what I could do! The better looking little guy has no roots at all and the one that looked just awful actually has 2 fresh1/4", one 3/4", and one 1" root. The one with no roots has a fresh leaf about 3" long that is sturdy and green, and the one with roots has all wilted leaves.
I've taken these two and put them into a soda bottle with a few holes in it with moist (distilled water) sphag and they are sitting on a seedling heat mat.
So my questions are - should I be using rooting hormone on them? How much light should they be getting, and when will I have an idea if I am helping them? What are the odds these will make it? For $2, I figured why not try to save the cute little things. :-)
My other questions are about lighting in general. I have all of my orchids on an East facing window, however, due to trees about 15' away the window receives about 4 hours or heavily dappled sunlight a day. I have added 3 CFL pendant lights to the window with bulbs rated at 6500K and 1350 lumens each. The window is 35" across and 10" deep. For the Phals they are hanging about 8" above the highest leaf, the freshly potted and rehab guys have it hanging 15" above, and for the Cat it is 2" above. The humidity hangs at about 60% most of the day until later in the evening when it dips to 50%.
Am I overdoing it? I have been reading about artificial lights but the information has been nothing but confusing!
I would love any input and/or advice - I have been browsing this forums and soaking up anything I can!
Attached are some shots of the little rescues as well as the "rehabilitation center" and my setup.
Sue
UPDATE & Ques. :: 2 Rescue Mini Phals
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