Sticking an aquarium air pump inside my pot

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

*sigh*

Ditto.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Oh, I was referring to answers like yours.

I thought "hot air" was obvious. I suppose it was a bit too obtuse for most.

I believe that an attentive moderator would have stated such a comment in a PM rather than for all to see. I think at this point I'll just give up and go away for a spell. Ta ta, amigos.

---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------



By publicly reaming a member rather than using a PM?

A questionable comment in an open forum should be openly addressed in that forum.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Ok, time to calm down everyone, put the internet on the ground and back slowly away . . .

Hopefully getting back on topic. Although Repotme has a wide variety of products, almost anyone else is usually less expensive. For net pots, see if you have a hydroponics store close by, net pots suitable for many orchids are usually much less than a buck each. For the very large ones, maybe $1 to $3 each. My local store is Flora hydroponics, they also sell online. Hydroponics shops also have plastic pots, LECA, a lot of other materials useful for growing orchids.

I also can get clay and plastic pots, and good orchid bark and sphagnum moss, at my local Lowe's. Prices very reasonable.

Simple, non-mechanical solutions are usually all that is needed for growing orchids. So, I agree with prior posts, no pumps needed, try simpler means first.

[eager2learn]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Oh, I was referring to answers like yours.

I thought "hot air" was obvious. I suppose it was a bit too obtuse for most.

I believe that an attentive moderator would have stated such a comment in a PM rather than for all to see. I think at this point I'll just give up and go away for a spell. Ta ta, amigos.

---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------



By publicly reaming a member rather than using a PM?

hey man, u publicly 'reamed' me first. cmon dude. im gettin full of hot air now with u talkin down on the moderator. your comment had nothing to do with the topic. if u dont like the thread, hit the back button or close the browser.

can i request to close this thread before i get out of hand??

[camille1585]

I think that by this point everything that needed to be said, was said. So let's leave it at that, unless anything else needs to be said about the original topic of this thread.

[eager2learn]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Ok, time to calm down everyone, put the internet on the ground and back slowly away . . .

Hopefully getting back on topic. Although Repotme has a wide variety of products, almost anyone else is usually less expensive. For net pots, see if you have a hydroponics store close by, net pots suitable for many orchids are usually much less than a buck each. For the very large ones, maybe $1 to $3 each. My local store is Flora hydroponics, they also sell online. Hydroponics shops also have plastic pots, LECA, a lot of other materials useful for growing orchids.

I also can get clay and plastic pots, and good orchid bark and sphagnum moss, at my local Lowe's. Prices very reasonable.

Simple, non-mechanical solutions are usually all that is needed for growing orchids. So, I agree with prior posts, no pumps needed, try simpler means first.

hey thanks for the net pots and hydroponic stores idea...i do have one nearby..

do you recommend bark w/ net pots? im scared to use spaghnum moss but im also scared bark will dry out too fast w/ net pots.

[Orchid Whisperer]

It really depends on the type of plant, what you are trying to achieve, and how you water. I have a Brassavola nodosa that lives happily in a net pot, with bark, because it likes a lot of air to the roots, and drying between watering. I have a Coelogyne cristata that lives in a 12-inch diameter net pot that is lined with Sphagnum, but in the core of the pot it's medium bark and charcoal with chopped Sphagnum. That plant likes the roots moist more frequently, but still prefers conditions at the roots that are not stale, and likes some evaporative cooling at the roots. It also depends if you typically over- or under-water.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

[eager2learn]

i have phals, what do their roots like?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by eager2learn

i have phals, what do their roots like?

Pretty simple. I mostly use terracotta pots, though plastic pots are OK. Pot should be just big enough to fit the roots (or if few roots, try a 4-inch pot). Whatever potyou use should be well drained.

Bottom inch or so of medium in the pot should be something inert. Pebbles about 1 inch diameter are fine if you want a little weight for a light pot that might tip. If weight is no concern, use styrofoam chips, or plastic packing peanuts. Above that, another inch of half inert material, half orchid bark. Fill the remainder of the pot with orchid bark. BTW, I get my orchid bark at places like Lowe's or Home Depot, about $5 for 8 quarts.

You want the plant to be secure in the pot. Stakeor tie as needed. Also, I pot using dry bark, wait a couple days before watering, this reduces the likelihood of small bruises on roots becoming root rot.

[Dollythehun]

OW, I agree with you except on the dry bark. Not that that's a bad idea but, I like to rinse the fines off my bark first, as you know it can clog the roots.