new to orchids - setup evaluation - Orchid Board

merkity · #1 02-07-2011, 12:42 AM

hi! so its spring and i recently became interested in orchids. I have bought a few and just found a nice enclosure to keep them in. 4 cats and a 4 yr old necessitate this greatly. I am not sure how much light they really need. I found at walmart a 2 ft flourescent that is labeled a grow light 75w output (model 7020 E gl by lights of america) - i only have one atm, but am planning to get a few more and make a hood so that i can turn on more or less light as needed. i know i still need to get a fan in there at the very least, i am also working on increasing their humidity - but i have to figure out how much the enclosure retains. its one of those reptile terrariums, has a screen top. any tips would be helpful. I had to repot the spotted one in the back, it was holding way too much water...and the pot it was in was dark - and several of the roots, while solid are completely white...the others look a bit off.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 02-07-2011, 04:07 AM

Welcome to the OB.

Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but I take it you've never grown an orchid before, so we'll start from the very beginning.

1. You have what are called Moth Orchids or orchids in the genus Phalaenopsis.

2. The 2 plants you own are man-made hybrids.

3. If the plants did not have name tags, they do not have a name that designates what cultivar it is. Therefore it will be considered a NOID (no ID).

4. NOID's are difficult to pinpoint a name to because there are many man-made hybrids that have been produced that look very similar to one another.

In regards to root health...

The following links are examples of what healthy Phalaenopsis roots look like:

http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/wp-...oots_640px.jpg

http://www.gardenworldimages.com/Ima...OTLECOUFLE.jpg

With the photos of healthy Phalaenopsis roots in the links in mind, do know that by comparison, your plants have damaged root systems. It is salvageable though.

To give you an idea of how Phals grow, these following links are examples of species Phalaenopsis growing in the wild:

http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/Lundu-orchid190207.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_F4h2El7hQQo/S8...na4%5B3%5D.jpg

There are tons of information on the OB regarding the cultivation of Phalaenopsis. If you have the time to sit down in front of the computer and browse through the plethora of posts about how to grow them, you can do a search on the OB search engine.

As far as your lighting is concerned, it may not be adequate. Lighting is a complicated matter to be talking about, so I encourage you to do your research regarding lighting.

Without having to cover the basics of the complex nature of lighting physics, the short version is...

I would shoot for Power Compacts that are as long as the tank is long, with a Kelvin rating of 6500 K. The Home Depot has some of these for sale, along with the fixtures and ballasts. However, it is a diy situation.

The Exo-Terra tank is fine.

Make sure the plants are not sitting in water.

If I may ask...

What are the sizes of the pots they are currently potted in?

What is the potting media they are currently potted in?

What are the day and night temperatures they are being subjected to currently?

I recommend a humidity of roughly 60% - 70%. If it's 50%, it's okay.

If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sienna · #3 02-07-2011, 05:16 AM

welcome

,
Here is to the begining of your orchid obsession

. I cant help you any more with specs, but as King said there is heaps of great info here.

Enjoy

merkity · #4 02-07-2011, 10:55 PM

thank you for all the tips! the one with the damaged roots is the first ever orchid i have bought - at the time i didn't know what i should be looking for in the plants. I bought the other two shortly after and they are in a much better state. they also came from a different source. I also found a nice orchid nursery in halfmoon bay (better stay out for now - my spending money for hte next two weeks seems to have turned into that tank)

I am south of san fran and the moss that they have all come potted in just doesn't seem to dry well at all - i don't like it much. I have since bought a bark based potting mix and think it will do much better for this environment especially in that tank. I still have to repot the other two, but think i might wait a bit if at all possible since they are still adjusting to the new environment.

all of the orchids are currently in 3in pots, though it looks like one is due for repotting shortly as i can't get through them to test the moss....

the two minis (the purple & the white) are still potted in whatever moss they came in.

there is no water in the base of the tank, i have these water absorbing gel beads in candle holders sitting in there... def need a fan still, but the humidity was a lot better when i checked tonight.

i was thinking of getting some aquarium grow lights to add to the one - I know they work well for those plants

and I don't have to try and put the whole thing together.

trdyl · #5 02-08-2011, 10:21 AM

Hello and welcome to OB!

How far above the plants are the light tubes?

merkity · #6 02-08-2011, 10:11 PM

the lights are only as far as the tank right now....so 18 inch or so...working on finding a hood

trdyl · #7 02-09-2011, 10:20 AM

If this is going to be the primary light source for them for growth and future blooming, they are going to need to be closer to the tubes.

Connie Star · #8 02-09-2011, 08:58 PM

Welcome to OB! The tank looks very elegant with the phals in it. You will find a lot of information on lighting here on OB. You might want to check out the free information section on FirstRays web site- he's regular and very helpful contributor.

merkity · #9 02-09-2011, 10:04 PM

thnak you all for your help! the fun part is now giong to be trying to keep these guys happy.

merkity · #10 04-16-2011, 10:47 PM

well its been roughly two months since i start adopting some orchids to care for

some success some not so good

okay snuck a pic of some baby catts i picked up at the pacific orchid show.

my newest addition is a yellow phal i call daffodil because of the striking yellow color of the flowers - not sure what they were feeding this one but its growing like crazy! has a spike, lots of root growth and a new leaf peeking out now too!

next is my very pretty white mini - the spike died off, and the roots weren't doing to well - so i trimmed it and now i have a new leaf showing, hopefully some new roots will start growing soon too.

then my rescues - my best success so far, pic 1 & 2, this was one of 2 that i brought home, the other just didn't make it. this one seems to like its new environment.

the last - is just home this friday - so it will need some time to adjust and need ot be repotted shortly ( i have absolutely no luck with moss so far)

YAY me! i have somethat are happy and growing

i do have one that seems to be on its way out - very disappointing as the flower is a beautiful maroony color - oh well...live and learn. and yes hubby understands i am crazy - but says at least this hobby makes the house look pretty.