IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT KNOW:-))) HERE:
If you’ve never been to the Australian wilderness, chances are you’ve never seem a Caleana major , or Flying Duck Orchid before. That’s because despite numerous attempts to grow it anywhere else, this amazing-looking flower refuses to propagate in captivity. Apparently, that’s because its roots have a symbiotic relationship with the vegetative part of a fungus which can only be found in the wild country of eastern and southern Australia. The fungus protects the flower from infections, and without its presence, it never lasts for very long. But even if you travel to Australia to see the Flying Duck Orchid in its natural habitat, you have to look really carefully to spot it. At up to 50 centimeters in height, it’s definitely not the smallest flower in the world, but its red-and-purple coloring helps it blend so well in its wild surroundings that it becomes almost invisible.

---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 AM ----------

Before I hit the pillow, I really must say King, that you are really into orchids! I mean, I love them, but that's nothing compare to your love, knowledge and determination to try new things! :bowing wow Good Night guys

I figured as much.

I started learning about mycorrhizal fungi a long time ago.

I forgot which group of orchids led me to find out more about them, but I do recall that the ones that really brought this subject matter to the forefront were the native Australian terrestrial orchids - in particular, orchids of the following genera:

- Caladenia

- Leptoceras

- Thelymitra

- Diuris

There were a few other genera of orchids that really got me to take a look at mycorrhizal relationships further, but these were the big ones - along with orchids in the genus Disa.

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 PM ----------

Thank you.

Good night Tom. :)

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 PM ----------

Forgot...

Bee Orchids grow in calcium type sands.

Donkey Orchids grow in acidic sandy loams comprised of decomposed granitic materials with clay minerals in that mix.

I was wondering King of orchids... since your collection of orchids must be very big. How do you go on vacation and who takes care of them in the mean time. I am soon going for about two weeks and i am already freaking out :help

Regards
Gregor

Gregor, thanks much, this is excellent question. I am leaving to California for a week in September, and than probably 3 weeks skiing December/January. That week is somehow ok, my partner hates plants, however he somehow manages to follow instructions and water them, not much but at least to survive, however 3 weeks will be extremely stressful for me, he does not see what orchid needs more water or is over. I do always COLOR MARK them with colored tags, one color means water daily one means water every 2-3 days, so far it worked. The worst is if you have no one left home to water them, I guess you must ask friends or family.

At the moment, I don't have time for a vacation.

Hopefully, I will soon.

If I were to be able to afford one and if I had the time for one I'd probably go on vacation during the winter months or during early - late spring and leave them all alone, no water, no nothing except for 5 or 6 orchids. Those I'd probably let soak in a container of water and aerate the water. They're water hogs anyways. And I'd be gone for about a week. I don't really like long vacations.

If I was gone for 2 weeks or more, then I'd hire someone.

---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

I'll explain further...

I'd go when I know my orchids need the least amount of water and just not care. Sometimes that's what happens in the wild anyways.

If you've got water hogs, then you're in somewhat of a bind. Everything else you can leave alone.

That's why I don't buy a ton of these on purpose, if I happen to know that they are water hogs to begin with, of course.

Okay just on orchids is around 1,000....Now including my other tropicals....is closer to 2,000....That is just this year too, with new potting media with a lot of my guys needing new potting media and bigger pots... Also I just started growing orchids in February as well...

So true king, Years ago I left for 11 days trip skiing with my friends, from 11 days we ended up spending 21 days starting in Breckenridge, than Jackson Hole, ending on Lake Tahoe. At that time, I did not even teach my hubby how to care for my babies, nor he had any intentions to do so. He TOLD me he did water them few times when I called, but at the end when I cam back home, he came clean and said he did not even go to the balcony at all. I was horrified, only to find out that actually except few regular plants, NONE OF THE ORCHIDS died, but to my shock, many actually started spikes and bloomed within these 3 weeks! At that time I did not even know what is winter rest, it makes all sense now when I know that's what many needs anyway!

Goof to know i am not the only one with this problem :)
My partner likes plants, but we are going together of course :D

I'll ask my roommate to take care of them. luckily i dont have water hogs so ill just ask her to water them once a week. it should be fine. Most of them are cats anyway :)

My hubby hates cold and no skiing so I am always safe for that trip, furthermore, someone have to stay to take care of our business now, so no travel together for years:-( BUT it is good for orchids!

Yes, they get the attention every day. The orchids must love you. I hope they are generous with the blooms aswell :biggrin: