Essential Tools, Supplies, Good practices for beginners?

[alidmisli]

Hi everyone, I just got my first miniature orchid plants; having them almost 24 hrs.

Was wondering if you have a list of essential tools and supplies that you use to care for your plants?

When I got them from the store, the pot did not have any holes, so I've immediately repotted the plants, so I bought clay pebble and sphagnum moss for my potting medium. I have some left of it for future new plant!

I also bought fertilizer for them and bought water sprayer to create the daily mist.

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Do you guys keep any other specific tools that help you care your plants?

Do you have any Apps/software to assist with your care?

Any other recommended tools that are very handy?


Any books/tutorials/ website / club member you read/visit for guidance?

Any good trusted online store for supplies, that ship internationally?

Kindly share good practices too.

Really appreciate it!

[phraggy]

I would google your plant and on the site it will tell you how to care for your purchases. You will, of course, get plenty of help from this forum if you list the plants name.

Ed

[Roberta]

If your plants don't have tags with names, you can post photos and you will get help identifying them, at least to general type. There are so many orchids, with widely differing requirements for light, temperature, etc that knowing what you have will assist greatly in giving you appropriate advice.

[AnonYMouse]

Magnifying glass! Well, maybe your eyes are better than mine. LoL

Your region of the world does a lot of trade in orchids (Bangkok just had a big show) so you shouldn't have to ship from too far for supplies. Check Australia and NZ (Orchiata brand bark) also.

As for growing guidance, that is climate dependent. IOSPE has info on species locality but it's usefulness is limited. See if there are orchid societies/clubs near you (or a social media group). A local has a better understanding of your environment and that is often the key to growing success.

[Optimist]

One thing I do is write the complete name and anything else I know (like parent's crosses) in an ordinary computer word processor program. That way, if the tag is lost, I have the information to make another tag. Losing tags is easy. With a list like this, you can keep track of your orchids.

[alidmisli]

Hi guys, Thank you for all of your fruitful responds! Really appreciate it!
You can see my orchids here:

Dendrobium Phalaenopsis
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...preview&g=5465

Oncidium Hybrid
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...preview&g=5466

@AnonYMouse Yeah, I think I'm getting a magnifying glass is a great idea! To see if the leaves are damage or any pests scoring around.

Would love to get supplies near by region. But I also wish to grab a blue orchids (Cleisocentrun genus).

@phraggy I've googled and watch videos on the internet, but I'm hoping there are other suggestions and personal tips from others that I miss out.

[Roberta]

Both of these should grow well for you. The Den. phalaenopsis-type needs more light than the Oncidium. Both should be OK in the house if they get sufficient light (filtered, ideally in an area where they get many hours of daylight) With the media that you have selected, I don't think that you have to worry about over-watering, since I expect that your humidity is very low.

In terms of equipment, if you need to cut anything, working "clean" is vital. Single-edge single use razor blades are good. (If you use a clipper, then a blast from a propane torch sterilizes well... with just a few small plants, razor blades are easier) I don't know what availability you may have for international shipping of plants. Cleisocentron (merrillianum, gokusingii, etc) are wonderful and you should be able to grow them, they don't need as much light as most of the Vandaceous group. Humidity will be a bigger issue - they like it on the damp side.

[AnonYMouse]

Cleisocentron merrillianum and gokusingii are native to Borneo. Please do NOT take from the wild, find a reputable vendor instead.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Cleisocentron merrillianum and gokusingii are native to Borneo. Please do NOT take from the wild, find a reputable vendor instead.

Absolutely! That goes for any orchid species!

There are many reputable growers who propagate their plants from seed in their nursery. A nursery-grown plant is also far more likely to survive in your non-jungle conditions. In the US, I get mine mostly from Andy's Orchids Andy's Orchids - Orchid Species - Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick I don't know if he ships internationally, however. Another source for these is Ooi Leng Sun Orchids They do ship internationally, have these orchids (actually, featured on their home page at the moment) , and they also definitely comply with the international rules. There are certainly others in Europe and Asia, other people are better able to recommend orchid species sources in those areas. Also you may find these vendors at shows.

[alidmisli]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Cleisocentron merrillianum and gokusingii are native to Borneo. Please do NOT take from the wild, find a reputable vendor instead.

Yeah, dont worry, I'm not the person to go in a wild deep jungle too. haha. But yes, will love to get those blue silverish orchids in the future. But it does not grow/suitable for indoor, right?

Went to Brunei's farmer market and met these few indoor orchids..maybe someday will get them..