New member - with questions!

[charitysmama]

The black is a good idea. This is a very nice garden window in the bathroom next to the tub (on a second floor) and I have some nice pieces of marble that would look good there. They don't get much direct sun this time of year because the sun has dropped down enough that the tops of the trees makes for filtered sun. I have some phals in bark that are doing great, but I don't know where I got the bark from. I was going to look at the grange today, when I was in town, but forgot. One of the phals I am trying to save was one that my DIL gave me. The last time it bloomed the blossoms lasted for over a year!!! I hope I can save it. I have been spraying it several times a day with water with a touch of willow tea in it. I read on the internet that you can make a rooting tea out of willow bark. I have a curly willow in my yard and made some according to the instructions. Since I am not sure that curly willow will do the same as regular willow, I just put a few drops in the water. I have been using "Grow More" fertilizers. I am also looking a getting new pots. I like the clear ones that some have come in. What do you think? I picked up another one at Freddie's today on the clearance table for$5($4.50 with my senior discount) and guess what, it was packed with wet, wet moss. So wet, I could wring water out of it. Also, I am finishing building a greenhouse and have moved my cymbidiums that I brought with me from Ca. 10 years ago. They haven't been doing anything but barely survive. Now they are starting to put out new growth. I think I should get out there and repot them before they get growing too much. Should I also keep them crowded in pots or do they like room. To recap: bark, which kind; additives to water, is what I am doing OK; pots, which is best? I'll probably get 10 answers from 10 people, but that's OK, I am glad I found this site. lh: blushing: (that's happy, happy, happy)

---------- Post added at 11:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 PM ----------

One more quick question, since I can't always find what I am looking for in Coos County, I do a lot of ordering over the internet. What are some good sites for supplies?

[james mickelso]

First Rays here on the board. It is a little difficult getting quality items on the net in small amounts. Have you looked into the local scene for an orchid club near you? The best bark is called orchiata from a pine called Pinus orchiata. Clear pots are the bomb. Grow More is a good fertilizer although I like the Cal/Mag that First Rays sells here. Don't get me wrong. We're not buds or anything. he just sells quality stuff. Cyms don't mind being crowded but I prefer them to have between 4 to 7 pbulbs and then I divide. They like deep pots and don't like to be wet. Just damp. Ray has a good rooting seaweed elixir that works very well. Email him and he'll answer you. Great guy (but don't tell him you talked to me).

[charitysmama]

Thank you for the reply. I take it First Rays is a member? I couldn't find anyone like that in the search section.

[james mickelso]

I think it is First Rays - Using Science and Logic to Improve Orchid Growing