Monn Millenium Magic & Horse Manure - Orchid Board

orchidsarefun · #1 03-05-2015, 05:20 PM

So my plant is growing well and I decided to repot it into a fresh horse manure mix ( must be fresh per the recipe from the guy in Tasmania ).
I lined the bottom of the 10-12in deep pot with bark . Then added fresh horse manure and straw layer ( about 40% ), then sphag and bark layer ( about 60% ). Apparently if the manure is too strong, then the roots will only penetrate later in the season when its been 'weakened' through watering. When this goes outdoors in May timeframe I will add a top dressing of bone and blood meal.
Hey presto - my plant should be the size of a banana tree by June.

BTW - this DOES NOT smell. Its indoors at the moment.
I plan to do all my catasetums in the next month or so, they all have woken up from hibernation.
There is no proof like photographic proof.....

pipsxlch · #2 03-05-2015, 07:11 PM

I have access to PLENTY of fresh horse manure, so I'm very curious to hear how this works out. I've grown awesome veggies on the side of the manure pile. I'm just starting out in Catasetinae, so if this would make them happier then nifty beans!
(and I'm weirder than I thought, or it's my depraved upbringing... I don't really find horse manure smelly.)

orchidsarefun · #3 03-05-2015, 07:32 PM

I found the site

Why Horsemanure for Orchids

hopefully some of you join me in this experiment. I know the last time this topic was raised there were plenty of naysayers and party poopers. The trick ( I think ) is not to let the orchid roots come into direct contact with the manure until they are good and ready.

pipsxlch · #4 03-14-2015, 09:00 PM

Well, got the turds today and redid my Monn. with them. Its not awakening yet, so let's see how it goes!

orchidsarefun · #5 03-14-2015, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipsxlch

Well, got the turds today and redid my Monn. with them. Its not awakening yet, so let's see how it goes!

GL...just remember no watering until new growth is about 4 inches high and there are lots of roots.
Mine is really taking off, I think the roots have already hit the doo-doo....

isurus79 · #6 03-16-2015, 01:49 PM

I've heard of many people growing with this type of media for Catasetinae. It always make me laugh when people worry about their choice in media for these guys. They'll grow in just about anything!

How often do you water?

orchidsarefun · #7 03-16-2015, 03:56 PM

probably about 1x per week. Mix retains water and I can feel heavy/light.....so when feels light, I water.

orchidsarefun · #8 04-13-2015, 11:24 AM

its been almost a month. This plant is enormous, with the new bulbs around the size of the old and they have a couple of month's growing ahead. Over 2 feet of growth from mix to top of biggest leaf.
I have started transitioning all my catasetinae into the same manury mix. Can't wait to get them outdoors but its not warm enough yet.

Paphluvr · #9 04-13-2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I found the site

Why Horsemanure for Orchids

hopefully some of you join me in this experiment. I know the last time this topic was raised there were plenty of naysayers and party poopers. The trick ( I think ) is not to let the orchid roots come into direct contact with the manure until they are good and ready.

I get it!

orchidsarefun · #10 04-23-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipsxlch

Well, got the turds today and redid my Monn. with them. Its not awakening yet, so let's see how it goes!

what happened with this ? I'm curious to know if other people have had the same experience as I've had.
One of the new growths is already a 'mature' size.
I added a fertiliser basket, filled with dynagro extended release fertiliser granules.