Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta
Of course, in 1895 people were trying to grow orchids in overheated stove houses on the assumption that they all came from hot, steamy jungles...and wondering why a lot of them died. We have learned a few things since then.
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Certainly have! It's thanks to those people and everybody (including you and OrchidBoard members, and other growers around the world) that have helped us get to where we are now.
But interestingly, even with our technology and information, still a significant number of new orchid growers probably aren't armed with the general most important details for starting up.
I'm thinking that - like all decent manuals - have a manual where the front page of the manual says --- 'Stop!! READ THESE details first ........'
Eg. Regular orchid roots can/will die of oxygen starvation if left wet for relatively long periods of time. So this means (to the reader, not to us) do something that prevents the roots from staying wet for relatively long periods of time. Regular orchid roots MIGHT slowly adapt gradually over time to fully wet conditions, or NEW orchid roots CAN/WILL adapt to fully wet conditions ------ but should always initially assume that regular orchid roots won't handle being wet for relatively long periods of time. So this means (to the readers) that we shouldn't do things like dunk orchid roots into water and then to leave them in that water permanently - wrongly thinking that the orchid roots will nicely handle those underwater conditions. Also wrongly thinking they can pot a new regular orchid into a relatively deep pot filled with bark, and then make the bark so wet that it takes a couple of weeks or more for the bark to dry out. Or to put bits or chunks of sphagnum in among the media (such as bark) - and wrongly think that the wet sphagnum in among the roots is going to help the roots nicely.
And also put in the big reminder about - maintain suitable (recommended) growing temperatures (ranges), lighting level and lighting duration, humidity etc.
One problem is ----- even when some readers have been taught, or they have read the basics, some will still grow their orchid with 1 or more of the basic requirements not met ----- for example, cold and wet roots scenario. Temperature requirement not met. Wet roots for too long (for regular roots).
Sure - there are always exceptions (for the growing experts). But I think that all manuals (not just orchid manuals) should have a front page that gives a rundown on the most important warnings - to start with - before getting into the rest of things. It changes the classical order (way of doing things) ------ but I notice that it's the life story of manuals to hide important warnings. They should actually be placed right up there at the front. Up front.
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