Need care info on 2 mini's...

[Paul Mc]

I finally bought my first two mini's, but after doing a google search I came up empty handed on care information other than light and one questionable detail about watering. So I'm wondering if anyone can point me in a good direction for care and culture sheets on these two.

The two I ordered are Scaphosepalum verrucosum and Porroglossum dalstroemii. I am aware that they are not necessarily "beginner" mini's but would like to try my best as I expand into these.

The questionable information I found was that they said even 1 drop of water that is not dehumidifer water or rainwater would kill the plant by destroying the roots. Is this true? I do have dehumidifier water, and am now looking at rain buckets (which I've actually wanted for a very long time anyway to water my orchids with). A few sources noted that they should be watered between once a day to 3 times per week if potted, therefore kept somewhat moist and not allowed to dry out.

Please help! Any information would be better than none at all at this point, lol... They are due to arrive this Thursday.

[Ray]

Orchidspecies.com is your friend, but you have to take some cues from the plant itself, too.

The scaphosepalum will apparently do best if grown cold and in relatively bright, indirect light. It is from moderate- to fairly high altitudes in northwestern S. America - i.e., cloud forests - so that suggests daily early-morning fog/mist.

The porroglossum prefers deeper shade, similar temperatures, and also comes from cloud forests.

The reason I mention taking clues from the plants is they can tell you how much water storage capacity they naturally have, and that - coupled with your choice of medium and conditions - will guide your watering.

[Paul Mc]

WOW, thanks for that information. I was not aware of the two growing differences. Andy's Orchids only said 500 to 1500 candles for lighting so I assumed a bit of shade similar or less than a Ludiscia Discolor. I will be searching orchidspecies.com as soon as I get home from work then.

Thanks for the information Ray!

[PaphMadMan]

While I have no experience with these species I can say with confidence that the information you found that "even 1 drop of water that is not dehumidifer water or rainwater would kill the plant by destroying the roots" is at best an exaggeration. Certainly any purified water is acceptable so there are many choices besides dehumidifier water and rainwater. Distilled water available at any grocery store is probably the easiest to obtain and inexpensive in the small quantity you would need for a few miniature plants.

Any water that is considered drinkable would take far more than an occassional drop to harm your plants. Most tap water may not be pure enough to use exclusively but depending on your water quality you might be able to blend it with rainwater, etc. Be careful with rainwater though. Depending on local air quality and how it is collected and held it might not be the best choice. In the long run you might want to invest in a RO water system to have reliable and abundant water for your plants.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Scaphosepalum verrucosum and Porroglossum dalstroemii are both mid to moderately high elevation cloud forest growers.

They like a fair amount of moisture. They don't need to be deluged with water, but they can handle being dry for a few days, no problem.

Both plants may not flower if it isn't humid enough. 60% is usually a safe bet.

In my experience Porroglossums can handle brighter lighting than most Scaphs.

The lighting is bright shade.

1/4 strength or 1/2 fertilizer from the recommended dosage on the bottle.

Cool to intermediate (55 F to 85 F is usually good enough of a range). I've actually grown Scaph verrucosum much cooler than the coolest temperature I put up, and it did fine.

[Paul Mc]

Thanks PaphMadMan and King.

So 60% humidity you say King. Well, I guess a humidity tray would only give it about 30% or so. What do you think about daily misting to increase the humidity. I'd be willing to do that twice a day, once in the morning and another time early evening when I get home.

So I'm assuming that for the Porroglossum falls on the higher end of the 500 to 1500 light range, and the Scaphosepalum would fall on the lower end then. Good information to know. Thanks again!

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[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

So 60% humidity you say King. Well, I guess a humidity tray would only give it about 30% or so.

Why not use a humidifier? Only $25 - $35 for most.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

What do you think about daily misting to increase the humidity. I'd be willing to do that twice a day, once in the morning and another time early evening when I get home.

May not be sufficient, idk.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

So I'm assuming that for the Porroglossum falls on the higher end of the 500 to 1500 light range, and the Scaphosepalum would fall on the lower end then.

I wouldn't go as low as 500 on the spectrum with the Scaph, maybe in the mid range, like around 1,000 or 1,200 footcandles up to 1,300 footcandles. 500's too low in my opinion.

Yeah, the Porroglossum as high on that range as possible, maybe even 1,600 footcandles, not much more.