Anyone Use Clay Tubes/Tonröhren? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

estación seca · #11 10-06-2022, 03:33 AM

For the most part botanists divide plants according to flower and fruit structure.

WaterWitchin · #12 10-06-2022, 12:25 PM

I think the Aerangis would work. I've tried Tolumnia on it... okay, but not great, no blooms. Brassavola worked fine for me. Hybrid mini phals (grocery store type) grow fine, but it takes more time for them to mount... sure wouldn't try it with a species.

About six months ago I "surgically" removed a Catatante 'Orange Kiss" from my wine cooler, along with a Brass Cordata and Bl Yellow Bird. Yes, weird combo. The Catatante was taking over everywhere, and I considered it not so attractive anymore. The Yellow Bird never bloomed while it lived there.

Cooler is presently sitting on a bench, but now I have a sudden urge to mount something on it again. I have an epiphytic bromeliad that's presently on a piece of coral. Thinking maybe a bromeliad cooler might be the next go round.

Note that's in MY growing conditions. I'm sure yours are different, so you have to take this with a grain of salt. Also, I'm rather like Roberta from the standpoint of "What can I get away with" and I try stuff just to see if the idea works. I have about a 50-50 track record.

One other thing... you'll want to fertilize by spraying/misting the roots, followed by a good spray off with pure water in a day or so. Don't put fertilizer in the container, for obvious reasons.

Roberta · #13 10-06-2022, 12:43 PM

The only things that I had any success with on the Cool Logs that I tried were Pleurothallids. They do like to stay moist, and also tend to like some cooling in the root zone. I wasn't particularly impressed. Those terracotta tubes may work better if they have a rough surface.. the Cool Logs are really too smooth.

estación seca · #14 10-06-2022, 03:40 PM

I think their effectiveness depends not only on the moisture permeability of the wall, but on ambient humidity.

naturalistSean · #15 10-06-2022, 05:06 PM

Thanks all. I decided not to buy the clay tube this time. I've some cork bark laying around that I can use and the money can go towards ever more plant acquisitions.

That said I'm excited about the order and getting some new orchids.

My wife has family in Germany not too far from Schwerte so there is a good chance that I can get to Schwerter Orchideenzucht in the future and perhaps I'll buy one of these things then.

WaterWitchin · #16 10-07-2022, 09:19 AM

I agree with ES on the ambient humidity part. I've never seen a cool log, so don't know anything about texture of them. I've done it just to play around and experiment with something. Cork bark is always a good choice.

naturalistSean · #17 02-13-2023, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

That Den. tetragonum looks quite happy. It may want to get a bit cooler in winter to inspire blooming. So putting it closest to the window might do the job. I have noticed that a whole bunch of Dens that supposedly have a "winter rest" really don't particularly need - or even want - drying out, but benefit from several months of cooler nights. (In the case of Den. tetragonum, nights down to 4-5 deg C or thereabouts if you can manage it might help trigger blooming. Even 10 deg C could be helpful)

This was excellent advice! Close to a window in the cold cellar, kept rather humid and watered in a glass vase, and the plant has produced spikes. Thank you!

KikaMaggie · #18 09-03-2023, 06:50 AM

Hello everyone

I’ve also tried clay pots, actually only two, photos bellow.
The best experience is a dendrobium loddigesii, it rotted plenty and fast. The other and bigger one worked like a recue option for those orchids that were not doing well. Not brilliant, but some recovered and bloomed.

A great Sunday for you all