It's growing! It's growing!

[RandomGemini]

Isn't it a bit humid in New Orleans to use moss in potting orchids?

[DaRealKevinGibson]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Isn't it a bit humid in New Orleans to use moss in potting orchids?

Not at all! You could actually successfully grow all of your Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids outside down here. I still use humidity trays I grow all my orchids in the home. Bark dries out VERY FAST and the sphagnum moss is great for retaining moisture! I just watered 4 of my orchids that were planted in Sphagnum moss.

Everything is working out fine...except for my Joseline :-( Any tips on what I should do? Her leaves are wrinkling and one of her flower spikes (the one I cut a long time ago, not the one I cut yesterday) is wrinkling as well. What am I doing wrong? Too much water? She is rather moist, she was my 3rd orchid when I didn't know anything and I was watering every 3 days!!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Lets see a picture of her. I hate the moss I never know when to water except my mini paph's I don't seem to have a problem with them.

[DaRealKevinGibson]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Lets see a picture of her. I hate the moss I never know when to water except my mini paph's I don't seem to have a problem with them.

If I didn't drop my Samsung Galaxy S3 I'd take a pic, hook it up to my laptop, and get the picture online straightaway. I can't access my phone because it's locked. Is there a way to use my iPhone and wifi to get the picture on the OrchidBoard?

My Joseline Hernandez lost 2 leaves the moment I picked her up :-(

[Orchid Whisperer]

Kevin, on any Phal that has wrinkled leaves, but that is also dropping leaves, I would suggest 2 things.

1 Take it out of the pot, clean off all of the roots, get a good look at them. Are they healthy, firm, and either green, silvery, white or yellow? Or are they soft, brown or black (likely dead)? If you see bad roots/root loss, that could lead to the wrinkled leaves. I have had better luck avoiding root rot in coarse potting medium such as bark, rather than moss.

2. Look in the crown (center of the leaves), but also the base of the plant, especially where the leaves dropped. Does anything look soft, brown or watery? If yes, could be some kind of rot. If the fallen leaves slowly faded to yellow and shriveled before they fell, that could be normal leaf loss. I would be more concerned if green leaves fell off, or if they quickly wen from green to yellow before falling.

BTW, I have not seen Phalaenopsis "Joseline Hernandez" before; got a picture you can post?

Originally Posted by DaRealKevinGibson

Not at all! You could actually successfully grow all of your Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids outside down here. I still use humidity trays I grow all my orchids in the home. Bark dries out VERY FAST and the sphagnum moss is great for retaining moisture! I just watered 4 of my orchids that were planted in Sphagnum moss.

Everything is working out fine...except for my Joseline :-( Any tips on what I should do? Her leaves are wrinkling and one of her flower spikes (the one I cut a long time ago, not the one I cut yesterday) is wrinkling as well. What am I doing wrong? Too much water? She is rather moist, she was my 3rd orchid when I didn't know anything and I was watering every 3 days!!

[DaRealKevinGibson]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Kevin, on any Phal that has wrinkled leaves, but that is also dropping leaves, I would suggest 2 things.

1 Take it out of the pot, clean off all of the roots, get a good look at them. Are they healthy, firm, and either green, silvery, white or yellow? Or are they soft, brown or black (likely dead)? If you see bad roots/root loss, that could lead to the wrinkled leaves. I have had better luck avoiding root rot in coarse potting medium such as bark, rather than moss.

2. Look in the crown (center of the leaves), but also the base of the plant, especially where the leaves dropped. Does anything look soft, brown or watery? If yes, could be some kind of rot. If the fallen leaves slowly faded to yellow and shriveled before they fell, that could be normal leaf loss. I would be more concerned if green leaves fell off, or if they quickly wen from green to yellow before falling.

BTW, I have not seen Phalaenopsis "Joseline Hernandez" before; got a picture you can post?

Go look at my instagram. All of my orchids are on it. (Please don't judge me by my Instagram...I live in New Orleans and it's not drama free lol) My name on instagram is "darealkevingibson" my profile is public

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by DaRealKevinGibson

If I didn't drop my Samsung Galaxy S3 I'd take a pic, hook it up to my laptop, and get the picture online straightaway. I can't access my phone because it's locked. Is there a way to use my iPhone and wifi to get the picture on the OrchidBoard?

Yes, there is. Get a flickr account. It's free. Download the Flickr app from the app store, also free. Post pics from your iPhone to flickr and then when you go to include the pics in a post on the board, click on the little icon with gray mountains and copy and paste the link to the image on flickr!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

This is where I show my complete and total newbie status.

My mini phal that dropped its blooms as soon as I got it home (the one in my avatar photo)… I was scared for it. I repotted it in a pudding cup, with bark, after I cut the spike. I thought the leaves might feel a little limp, but I checked the roots, plenty of water… and now, check it out! I've got a leaf! It's growing a leaf! I feel like a kid on Christmas!

I'm so excited!





I just watered it today, so I'll leave the fertilizing until next week, but I am SO excited!!! My window sill mini garden idea might just work out!

Yay!

[The Orchid Boy]

I love using moss for any phal. I water it right when it gets totally crispy dry, not a day later.

About Phalaenopsis "Joseline Hernandez"... He names his noids.

[DaRealKevinGibson]

Originally Posted by The Orchid Boy

I love using moss for any phal. I water it right when it gets totally crispy dry, not a day later.

About Phalaenopsis "Joseline Hernandez"... He names his noids.

Sure do pilgrim!!!