Phalaenopsis Experiment

[jesscorine]

I love this thread. It is the approach that I am taking with trying my hand at this hobby. Everyone has to start somewhere and trial & error is the way to learn sometimes. I don't have the extra money to spend on lavish lighting and fertilizers nor the time to sterilize everything I use. Also, I feel like buying from big box in the clearance section, doesn't necessarily promote mass-growing (bad?) practices, as the product is already marked down. I would assume that if most of the product didn't sell, they won't buy as much from their supplier in the future. (In my brain that makes sense.) I overlook the flames. There's one in every forum! (No offense to any individuals, blanket statement.)

[NYCorchidman]

I fully understand everyone has the right to do whatever he or she wants with his/her orchids, but I really don't see what the purpose of this "experiment", if any?

There is no stress (or no need to call it "taking a hobby to the extreme, it's such a simple tast that takes almost no time!) in flaming cutting tools for a few seconds.
How busy or lazy can one be not to have just a few seconds to take "easy" precaution to prevent uncurable disease that may or may not be present?

I just don't get it.

Peace Out!

[jesscorine]

^^ you're right, that's not difficult -- but then the comments seemed to go in the direction of "that's not enough". So where does it end? If one procedure for the beginners isn't enough, or is inadequate, then add on all the additional procedures that are correct, or inadequate for the next person. It gets confusing, and beginners may be dissuaded from the hobby. I am taking in all the info I can and try to use as much as I can as I learn I understand that the frustration and concern is coming from a good place. Don't count us all out!

[iammadeofdreams]

I am interested to see how these plants turn out. Also, I think hands on experimentation like this is important. Doing things that fly in the face of accepted practice is how people come up with new ideas and advance things. Maybe someone will learn something new about the spread of pests or viruses. In the end, I think if anyone learns something an experiment is a win.

[james mickelso]

Escualida, I use sterile tools. I flame them. Just a practice I picked up when growing bonsai for years. I have a small bottle of propane to flame my tools for a few seconds. It's up to the individual grower/collector whether they want to use precautions. But we kill more orchids with poor understanding of say watering or over-fertilizing or using bad water than any diseases. If you use precautions, good. If not....no problem. As I always tell my incredibly anal boss....it ain't a nuclear power plant. For those who may want to try it, flaming is very easy, quick, and foolproof. Just get a s,mall bottle of propane with a torch head on it. Bic lighter. turn on gas valve, flick your bic, and in seconds your tools are ready to use.