Submerging - Page 4 - Orchid Board

Leisurely · #31 12-29-2007, 11:37 AM

SRF, I live in Central Florida and I have grown my Phals. in coir/perlite/charcoal for about three years and they have never done better. So I am thinking that good results must depend on how you water and fertilize. What I like about the coir is that unlike peat, it never gets soggy.

dave b · #32 12-29-2007, 12:47 PM

I submerge many of mine, especially the mounted ones (Ill throw them in the fish tank and let them soak). The best ones to submerge are the well rooted pots, because less media wants to float out. As long as the media is well draining, and good air flow exists after watering, its worked well for me. Of course, once a collection gets large, its too time consuming.

CoolPhrog · #33 12-30-2007, 12:30 AM

Undergrower???---I have a question, please

This is part of the picture you posted when discussing your flasks...this plant is also in that tank - may I ask what it is?

Sandy4453 · #34 12-30-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leisurely

SRF, I live in Central Florida and I have grown my Phals. in coir/perlite/charcoal for about three years and they have never done better. So I am thinking that good results must depend on how you water and fertilize. What I like about the coir is that unlike peat, it never gets soggy.

Leisurely, I don't remember but I think I watered the Phal. in coir mix, maybe once. What I noticed was the coir stayed very wet, too wet. I have a feeling it may have been a bad quality coir that I purchased. I've since been using a different coir that everyone swears by (don't recall the name right now) for my Paphs. and some of my larger Oncidiums but I'm afraid to ever try it again on my Phals. Bark mix seems to do the trick so, as they say, if it ain't broke.....

Undergrounder · #35 12-30-2007, 11:10 AM

SRF: I only have 3 mature Phals, two are 2 parts perlite 1 part small bark chips. The other is in 60% sphag 40% large rocks... i know that sounds weird but i did it for an aesthetic experiment and it worked so im not touching it.

Once my schillerianas get big enough i'll put them in 3:1 perlite, small grade husk chips i guess. i don't have coir but i have a tonne of small chips so i hope they'll suffice.

I'm not good at all with Phals, two lost 90% of their roots only a few months ago, partly because of a previous grower and partly because the bark i used was holding too much water. They're the ones in the perlite. You can see even the surviving roots are a little rotten but i couldn't bring myself to cut them all off. New roots are growing and a new leaf is too.

inphrog: Those ones in the middle are Masdevallias. I had to put them in the tank because the dry air was killing the flower stalks before they could reach full height. The big one is Masdevallia Ruby... something.

IdahoOrchid · #36 12-30-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRF

What I noticed was the coir stayed very wet, too wet.

I have several phals in s/h that are doing quite well. The media stays wet almost constantly. Ray can confirm this if he likes, but I don't think WET is the issue. I think WET with too little AIR around the roots is what causes most problems.

If one is using a mix that has a portion that is designed to really retain water I would suggest using less and larger pieces of it.

CoolPhrog · #37 12-30-2007, 06:20 PM

I ordered the 5.5" kit from Ray over the Christmas holiday...I'm looking forward to trying it! I haven't decided which plant to transfer though....any thoughts?

quiltergal · #38 12-30-2007, 07:50 PM

One that's busy growing new roots. That's the key to success with s/h. After a dismal start to my s/h experiment both of my plants are doing much better now. I have a $9 Onc. alliance plant next in line. As soon as I see new roots I'll make the switch.

CoolPhrog · #39 12-30-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

One that's busy growing new roots

DARN! I JUST repotted my Brsdm. Shooting Star 'Black Gold'. That one would've been the PERFECT candidate...hmmm....I need to take inventory!

Gold3nku5h · #40 09-10-2008, 01:52 AM

I got a question... Do you guys submerge with RO water, or rain water? because i think that would cost me a whole lot in the long run (im usuing gallon jugs at 87 cents)* and that would be a jug just to water the orchid for on day a week, the rest i usually just spray the medium.* I will also start nuking it on that submerging day (prob sundays) could i use tap water and nukes, and submerge then.* And also, what do i do as that seems like a huge waste of nutrients and water to just throw it out, i ususally do into my compost. where do you guys?