New growth on FDK After Dark?

[LeeB]

Originally Posted by mofms1

Thanks! Wish I could take credit for how it looks, but I haven't had it long enough. Will the new roots come out from the top, like air roots on a phal? I'm worried I won't even see the new roots and will miss my chance to repot it.

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 AM ----------



If I repot it now, it will definitely go in a clear pot. Phals are a lot easier and I don't worry as much about seeing the roots, but all the other orchids seem much pickier so I think I'd feel better seeing the roots. So, if I repot now, I should wait for leaves and a second growth of roots before watering. Am I getting that right?

---------- Post added at 08:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 AM ----------



If I put it in s/h should I wait to make the switch? Another person on here asked about how to let it "rest" if it is in s/h, and I'm concerned about the same thing. If I put it in s/h now, doesn't that count as watering it? I have put maybe a teaspoonful of water in there since I got it. I was told to do that once a month when the flowers were in bloom, but other than that I haven't watered it at all.

Sorry if it's a lot of questions, but it's actually kinda hard to find some of this info online b/c most of the searches just show really vague care tips or plants for sale.

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------



I'm not sure which bulb is from last year. Would that be the thick, smooth, shiny, lighter green one? I think it might also be the tallest. How shriveled should it get? Is that when I could move it to s/h? I'm trying to get all of the orchids in s/h because I feel like I will kill them with love and fussing with them otherwise.

Check out Fred Clarke's Sunset Valley Orchids (SVO). Fred created these plants & loves to talk about culture, etc., He also has wonderful advice on his website on how to grow them.

[fishmom]

Responding to a couple of earlier posts, when I want to rest the plant, I do a thorough flush, dump as much water as possible, and then just let it dry. I do that when the yellow, falling-off leaves tell me the plant is going dormant. If I need to split or repot the plant for some reason, I do it after it is dry but before new roots appear; this prevents damage to the new growth. The old roots, even if impaired somewhat, will anchor the plant to prevent wobbling in the pot as the new roots develop.



I don't add water during the dry period, although I would do so if it looked like the plant was in distress, with severe shriveling. Anytime you add water and just let it dry out, you add to the salts in the reservoir, unless your water is very pure. They will still be there when you start watering in the new growing season. This is why regular flushing is so important.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by fishmom

Responding to a couple of earlier posts, when I want to rest the plant, I do a thorough flush, dump as much water as possible, and then just let it dry. I do that when the yellow, falling-off leaves tell me the plant is going dormant. If I need to split or repot the plant for some reason, I do it after it is dry but before new roots appear; this prevents damage to the new growth. The old roots, even if impaired somewhat, will anchor the plant to prevent wobbling in the pot as the new roots develop.



I don't add water during the dry period, although I would do so if it looked like the plant was in distress, with severe shriveling. Anytime you add water and just let it dry out, you add to the salts in the reservoir, unless your water is very pure. They will still be there when you start watering in the new growing season. This is why regular flushing is so important.

Thanks!

My water is rainwater so I am not terribly concerned about that.

I imagine that the Catasetinae In the sh will be completely dry pretty fast once you allow them to enter that dormant period, do you taper off or just, final flush and see you in spring?

[fishmom]

I do a final flush, but my water is not as pure as yours.