Three new roots on my Ghost Orchid!

[Goods14]

I actually don't have contact info for them. They're a local grower in the same society as me. I've been to his greenhouse, so I may be able to answer some questions if you have anything in particular.

[aaronsaxton]

Well, here is the situation:

I have a Ghost Orchid that is doing well, in fact, it is possible it may have a flower spike - we are waiting to let it grow a bit further.

Now, I would like more Ghost Orchids.

The thing is in looking into the mediums used is the fact that the mediums are going to have to last 50 years or more.

The orchid is going to outlive me.

The mediums have to be able to take in moisture but not soak, and they have to provide a surface that allows the ghost orchid to grasp onto.

Mine was dismounted before it was sent to me and almost dead it took many months to bring it back to life, and I attached to cork - it is very hard to get it attached to cork and I do not want to repeat the attempt. I can see the ghost does not enjoy cork.

Looking into Hickory and thinking ahead, I could see in 20-30 years it disintegrating due to the fiberous nature of the outer bark.

So what I am after is a medium that can in some way be petrified or treated to last - even under damp conditions for a great length of time.

This is summary is the problem at hand.

[BruceP]

Petrified wood? Should last 40-50 million years!

[aaronsaxton]

Yes indeed.

I need a medium that will truly last. Perhaps petrified wood was over-the-top or perhaps not.

[Goods14]

I had a huge response all typed out and when I hit post, I lost connection to the site. Let's try this again...

Congratulation on getting a possible spike on your plant! That has to be one of the greatest feelings in this hobby. Any chance of pictures?

I don't think you're going to find anything organic that lasts anywhere near 50 years. The only commonly used media that might approach lasting that is Epi/Ecoweb, but I'm not sure the ghost is going to do well on that.

Was your plant taken off of its mount or did the mount deteriorate? I think the problem you had was that the roots were taken off the mount, causing them to be disturbed and possibly damaged. In my experience, all Angraecoids hate having their roots disturbed and will sulk for years.

I don't think your plant necessarily dislikes cork, just that it's this genus's tendency to not attach to the mount. I have funalis and fawcettii and neither are well attached. They would probably fall off if I took the fishing line off.

I still think your best bet is to use some kind of hardwood like live oak with a little native live moss. when the plant begins to outgrow the mount or it's visibly deteriorating, simply attach the whole thing, wood and plant, to a larger piece. This reduces root disturbance and provides a moist, humid media without the plant staying too wet.

[aaronsaxton]

I typed my response but it was somehow lost.

I obtained a flower spike which then got damaged when I left it in the care of a neighbor (they let the temp soar). I induced another flower spike to replace it in case the first one totally fails.

[aaronsaxton]

I should mention that I have found that aerial roots of the ghost orchid are in general identical to all other roots the plant sends out - it sends all roots out hoping to secure to something.

I under magnification saw no difference between aerial or ground roots and could find no substantiation that one root is different from another.

I successfully manipulated two "aerial roots" to attach to a mount - given the right humidity & PH, they will attach.

I have also found a "100 year" medium from a new producer that meets the aeration and water retention specs I have sought - the material is being sent to me for testing, and I will throw some ghosts on it and test the material out.

With my Ghost, it was sent to me - but the sender tore it off the mount causing near death and damage. The result was I received an orchid that was dying, and it took many months of extensive care to cease the "dehising" and death of the roots. Then it took a few more months to get new roots to start growing.

It appears another flower spike has decided to join the party - making a total of three, which is good and not so good as I could kill the plant if it uses too much of it's carbohydrate source supporting three flower spikes.

This is one of the negative side-effects of in vitro conditions - I can make it bloom any time of the year or when I want it to - but it doesn't mean it's always a good idea. Phal growers know this - you can deplete a Phal to death by making it flower forever.

I have figured a way to supply extra carbs to the plant beyond fertilizer, so this should keep it going strong - I hope.