New at this! How am I doing?

[Sykith]

Hello, I have been a planted tank enthusiast for years now and recently got into ripariums which got me interested in orchids.. not quite sure how that progressed but there ya go! So I did some research over a few months and then found a place called Natts orchids near my house and brought these home the week before christmas. I have been itching to go back but I want to wet my feet first and get these lovely orchids growing strong first.

I purchased:
-an oncidium which I believe to be: Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' (please correct me if I'm wrong, it wasn't labeled)
-a white oncidium twinkle
-masdevallia schroederiana
-masdevallia erinacea

These are under a beamswork aquarium light designed for plants, I don't have the specs on hand but could get them. I have been watering roughly once a week and fertilized with Michigan state fertilizer (13-3-15) periodically (once a week for the masd. twice for the oncidiums) the fertilizer I put in a spray bottle and only spray until the top of the media is visibly wet. Also I have a small cooling fan suspended over them and on the lowest setting to provide circulation.

I want to see how everyone thinks I am doing. So far I think they are all doing well I purchased the twinkle with buds and they flowered last week which was exciting and the erinacea has put out another flower since bringing it home. Also please pardon the picture quality I only have a phone camera.

[wintergirl]

Welcome to OrchidBoard, looking good so far

[estación seca]

Welcome! Looks really nice! We look forward to hearing about your plants and seeing them as they grow.

You can read about all these here. Use the Search function in the maroon menu near the top.

[WhiteRabbit]

Masdies only want very little fertilizer - I don't know the dilution you use, so I can't say if once a week is too much - but I have read some people state that they only give Masdies very weak fertilizer once or twice a month. Hopefully, members with better Masdie experience than I can advise.

[Sykith]

I am diluting it 1/8th teaspoon per 32 oz. so I think that's 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. But I only use a couple ounces at a time (two or 3 good misting of media with spray bottle), I have decided to not fertilize the schroedariana until I get a kool log for it since it is the least happy.

---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------

Sorry, not misting 2-3 good sprays with the bottle.

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[Subrosa]

Misting your media with a fertilizer solution can easily lead to salt build up if you don't flush heavily with pure, low mineral water like ro or rain water. I have found semi hydroponics to be the easiest way to keep my Masdevallia. I water as per "standard" semi hydro method weekly with a solution of 1 tsp per 5 gal of K-Lite, and every 4 th watering is done in the same manner with pure water.

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[Sykith]

Well I was pointed in the direction of kool logs, I was planning on getting them for the masdevallias. You feel that semi hydroponic is better? Also could I still use the MSU fertilizer with this method or do you use k-lite just for masdevallias since they require less? I think one of the major reasons I would probably still do it for the schroedariana is that it will help keep the temp down, would the erinacea prefer cooler temps? That method does look appealing for the oncidiums. Also I have started to feel that I might need to repot the larger oncidium since the bulbs are still shriveled even after watering and part has been growing up out of the container. Might be a good experience to learn the full state of their health as well.

---------- Post added at 03:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------

Nevermind, I looked up more info on the erinacea and they are recommended at the temperature I am already providing.

[Subrosa]

S/h is easier for me than mounted orchids, and since my Masdevallia are all hybrids or warm growers I have no need of the cooling advantage of Kool Logs. I have been toying with the idea of a fan cooled setup similar to a Kool Log for a Dendrobium cuthbertsonii.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

S/h is easier for me than mounted orchids, and since my Masdevallia are all hybrids or warm growers I have no need of the cooling advantage of Kool Logs. I have been toying with the idea of a fan cooled setup similar to a Kool Log for a Dendrobium cuthbertsonii.

I have my den cuthbertsonii on an empty Kool-log that I mist the moss mount twice a day. The Kool log was too wet for it but letting it get a little dry daily then moist seems perfect right now. I have new growth. How are you growing yours now?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I have my den cuthbertsonii on an empty Kool-log that I mist the moss mount twice a day. The Kool log was too wet for it but letting it get a little dry daily then moist seems perfect right now. I have new growth. How are you growing yours now?

I haven't gotten it yet. I'm toying around with my idea and once I get it up and running I'll get the plant..