I'm back maybe!

[Optimist]

Long time no see! Years in fact. I want to tell you that most of my orchids bit the dust mainly due to low humidity-- dried out and never came back. my fault I nearly died and it has taken many years and operations to get back to feeling better.

So strangely-- and this is uber strange!

The winners of the "survival of the fittest" are Dendrobium C.K. Ai. 'Oka' which is oddness itself, and Epidendrum stamfordianum Hsing Yu Gold Coast 'Sunkiss."

Why these particular plants? That is the question. I thought 'Oka" would bite the dust before all the rest, but it is chugging along because I have not re-potted it much and I have basically kept water in the pot. It is really in semi-hydroponic. Recently I started to put root stimulator (nothing fancy just fertilome. The roots have gone crazy. I never used that before because I thought that fertilizer was also in that mix.

So, I am now in the market for an orchid that takes exactly the same care as 'Oka.' Needs lots of water so it is okay to keep in semi/hydro. Not a huge plant. (I think huge plants were my downfall). But not a tiny plant either.

[WaterWitchin]

Well Howdy Optimist!

Yes, hopefully back for more than a little bit. Really sorry to hear you've had health issues, and best wishes you're through with them.

Maybe get a Cattlianthe to keep it within the family. Rojo? I have Trick or Treat, but wouldn't describe it as very compact.

[estación seca]

Welcome back!

[rbarata]

Welcome back, Optimist!

[K-Sci]

I'm pretty sure we haven't met but welcome back anyway.

If you are looking for a plant that is a mini that is very drought-tolerant, has large (for its size) flowers that last for weeks, and have good fragrance. The downsides would be the need for bright light and short day lengths to flower.

If you are a species collector, small rugged easy to grow orchids include C pumila, L sincorana, and if not. Hybrids. such as C. Mini Purple (C. pumila x C. wakeriana) are easy to grow.

-Keith (a C. walkeriana fan)

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by K-Sci

I'm pretty sure we haven't met but welcome back anyway.

If you are looking for a plant that is a mini that is very drought-tolerant, has large (for its size) flowers that last for weeks, and have good fragrance. The downsides would be the need for bright light and short day lengths to flower.

-Keith (a C. walkeriana fan)

Nah. I want a mid-size maybe 10-inch tall leaves that you can plug into a pot, not change medium for 5 years, throw bad water on when it is low and fuggedaboutit.
This Aka is like that. Everyone said it died but it loves rejection and abuse the best. Every walkeriana I ever had lived less than a year in my conditions. I got to thinking after throwing that rooting stuff on them that I have been too nice to them and that's what killed them. Bright lights, short days? I live in New Mexico.

---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

[SIZE="4"]


Maybe get a Cattlianthe to keep it within the family. Rojo? I have Trick or Treat, but wouldn't describe it as very compact.

I will look that up. I don't like really small. The hybrid of the Encycvola also is a survivor and I have one paph left but they are dragging.

I'll look at Cattlianthe. Anything that loves full water culture all the time.

[estación seca]

Look into using clay balls (LECA) instead of bark. I get LECA at the hydroponics shop. It lasts forever, though salts will build up over time. Occasionally watering with rain helps with that. The only brand my hydroponics shop carries is Hygroton. I don't like it because the balls are very spherical. Other brands with more irregular shapes lock into place in the pot better.

[Ray]

Indeed! Welcome back!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Good to see you back Optimist!

[Dollythehun]

Welcome back. Glad to hear you are recovered!