It's my Mom's fault

[columbianwolf]

We are actually in the process of trying to start one up. Right now we just do local shows. We go under the name Mystic Orchids. Hopefully we will have a web site in the future.

We deal in alot of the orchids that are harder to find. 3000 is just a guess. I think it is on the low side. We have about 450 just in the 2 rooms in the house. Plus we have an 80 ft greenhouse.

We do everything from cool growers to terestrials to vandas. Last year we received an CHM on our Cryptostylis Javanica.

Originally Posted by Swamper

3000 is that a typo? WOW that's amazing I presume by now you must have an orchid business? Do you have a website if you do?

[Swamper]

Awessome , Im interested in your vandas, so keep me in mind when you are ready

[columbianwolf]

Any vandas inperticular that you are looking for? I have a vanda tricolor that is 4ft tall. I also have another one that is about 3 ft tall with a keki that is about 18 inches. It is not the sauves. Ihave 3 seed pods on the vanda tricolor but can not find a good place to have them flasked. I attached a couple pics of the vanda.

Originally Posted by Swamper

Awessome , Im interested in your vandas, so keep me in mind when you are ready

[theredhead]

If you ever have any questions feel free to ask. Everyone here is great and will help you with anything.

Thanks for the warm welcome. It sounds like you have a lovely set up, and a great collection.

I always have questions, and am sure I will be consulting the boards quite a bit. Today's question regards 'evenly moist' - what exactly is that and how do I determine it? Apparently my milts like to be evenly moist. Does this mean I should spritz them every day? They are in small 3" pots, so it's not practical to stick my finger in there every day. How do I tell if I'm overwatering vs. underwatering the milts?

So little time, so much to learn.

-the redhead-

[theredhead]

My other questions for the day is why are my milt blossoms so slooow to open completely? I've had 2 blooms at the cup stage for a week and a half, and they are showing little inclination to open up to the flat position. Is there something I should do to encourage them?

-the redhead-

[columbianwolf]

What I have noticed with my orchids is that if it is cool they were taken alot longer to open. You dont want to move it to a warmer location untill at least 1 flower is open. Rule of thumb for us at least is when we are trying to make it to a show we cool them down so the buds open slower. If we want them to open faster we put them in a warmer room. I hope that helps.

Originally Posted by theredhead

My other questions for the day is why are my milt blossoms so slooow to open completely? I've had 2 blooms at the cup stage for a week and a half, and they are showing little inclination to open up to the flat position. Is there something I should do to encourage them?

-the redhead-

[columbianwolf]

You want to keep it damp at all times.

Originally Posted by theredhead

Thanks for the warm welcome. It sounds like you have a lovely set up, and a great collection.

I always have questions, and am sure I will be consulting the boards quite a bit. Today's question regards 'evenly moist' - what exactly is that and how do I determine it? Apparently my milts like to be evenly moist. Does this mean I should spritz them every day? They are in small 3" pots, so it's not practical to stick my finger in there every day. How do I tell if I'm overwatering vs. underwatering the milts?

So little time, so much to learn.

-the redhead-

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by columbianwolf

Any vandas inperticular that you are looking for? I have a vanda tricolor that is 4ft tall. I also have another one that is about 3 ft tall with a keki that is about 18 inches. It is not the sauves. Ihave 3 seed pods on the vanda tricolor but can not find a good place to have them flasked. I attached a couple pics of the vanda.

Those are beautiful, I sent you a PM

[theredhead]

What I have noticed with my orchids is that if it is cool they were taken alot longer to open.

Good point! Thank you very much. I do have the milts sitting right up next to (not touching) the window glass for light purposes. It's definitely cooler right there. I suppose now the blooms are opening they will be fine further away from the windows for a few weeks? I know that is the case with the phals & catts, but am unsure about other orchids.

You want to keep it damp at all times.

The line between overwatering and underwatering is a fine one. They do seems to have very well draining media - does a full flush watering every couple of days seems like to much? I do have them on humidity trays, but it's pretty dry here.

I suppose I will have to break down and purchase a soil moisture tester. I'm eagerly awaiting my light meter & temp/humidity testers this week.

[columbianwolf]

What we find works really good is chop sticks. If the chop stick is moist when you pull it out then your medium is still damp. This way after a while of checking it you will see how long your medium is staying wet. That has helped us out alot with growing in the house.

Here it is so dry in the house that we are watering everyday. We run are rooms at 70-75 degrees during the day and 64 at night. The orchids are potted in bark mix and moss.

Originally Posted by theredhead

Good point! Thank you very much. I do have the milts sitting right up next to (not touching) the window glass for light purposes. It's definitely cooler right there. I suppose now the blooms are opening they will be fine further away from the windows for a few weeks? I know that is the case with the phals & catts, but am unsure about other orchids.



The line between overwatering and underwatering is a fine one. They do seems to have very well draining media - does a full flush watering every couple of days seems like to much? I do have them on humidity trays, but it's pretty dry here.

I suppose I will have to break down and purchase a soil moisture tester. I'm eagerly awaiting my light meter & temp/humidity testers this week.