New here, and to orchids - Page 2 - Orchid Board

snappyguy · #11 11-04-2010, 11:55 PM

Becca- The Ascocenda was marked down because the store had gotten a new shipment in and just wanted to move it. The Beallara it turns out either sells for $35 or $40 at the place my wife and I bought it. Not knowing anything about orchids we bought it as a Phalaenopsis, as this is what the pot said. Later, we found the tag showing it was a Beallara. I found the plant described on the tag and have confirmed that this is a Beallara. Somehow it wound up in the wrong pot from the grower. The mix I bought says it works for Oncidium, but I've never been shown the difference in mixes.

FairyInTheFlowers · #12 11-05-2010, 12:56 AM

Well, the difference in mixtures is the size of the compost pieces (which usually consists of bark and perlite, maybe charcoal too.) Orchids related to Oncidiums need a finer mix because their roots are thinner than other types, so having a mixture that has smaller pieces will give your orchid a more homey feel, thus improving its vigor!

Becca · #13 11-05-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappyguy

Becca- The Ascocenda was marked down because the store had gotten a new shipment in and just wanted to move it. The Beallara it turns out either sells for $35 or $40 at the place my wife and I bought it. Not knowing anything about orchids we bought it as a Phalaenopsis, as this is what the pot said. Later, we found the tag showing it was a Beallara. I found the plant described on the tag and have confirmed that this is a Beallara. Somehow it wound up in the wrong pot from the grower. The mix I bought says it works for Oncidium, but I've never been shown the difference in mixes.

If you want to see the difference, go to rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer and check out their classic and imperial orchid mixes and when you click on the individual link for each type of mix they will show a picture of the size of everything. They are a little spendy, but well worth it, not that you have to buy from them.

snappyguy · #14 11-05-2010, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the link. I may order a bag of one of their Oncidium mixes and compare it to what I have.

mab3362 · #15 11-07-2010, 08:31 PM

Hey Mark,
Join us at the Houston Orchid Society! Google and check the website, there is a picnic this weekend at a very large greenhouse.

micah

Rusty49 Illinois · #16 11-09-2010, 06:54 PM

Hi Snappyguy. You did get some bargins. I started with two and now 7 months later I have over 40. Are you going to grow them in natural light or under artificial lights? It's really worth it and totally fun.

snappyguy · #17 11-10-2010, 09:51 AM

I'm going to use natural light. I have a nice west-facing window that I hope they will like. So far so good. I do have a light fixture if I decide I need it, but it'd probably need to be upgraded too. It's a T12 with 2- 40W bulbs that I used to grow my african violet collection. Now they are in natural light so the fixture isn't being used.

Rusty49 Illinois · #18 11-10-2010, 01:34 PM

Natural light is probably the best. I just have to many plants for the window space available. I bought some ChipTech LED lights but I wasn't to impressed. I read some posts in another forum that makes it sound bad for LED lighting. So far the plants are all right with it.

dgenovese1 · #19 11-11-2010, 11:42 AM

Hi Mark,
Welcome to the world of orchids and to the OB!

Your Ascda. Ruth Campbell looks nice and healthy. I'm sure you're getting lots of advice, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in too on this plant. It is what is considered a quarter terete vandaceous plant (25% of its lineage is terete style vanda). These in particular need lots of light to bloom. I grow mine in full sun under 30% shade screen. Also, make sure you let the roots dry completely between waterings, and then water very thoroughly. Also, be sure to fertilize regularly. Mine are fed weekly with 3/4 strength liquid fertilizer, and between applications the roots are rinsed with regular watering to keep fertilizer salts from building up.

That's all I have for you for now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. There are lots of folks here who know a lot about all kinds of orchids.

Take care, David

snappyguy · #20 11-12-2010, 11:33 AM

I do have an east window that gets quite a lot of light, more than my west window because of how the houses are placed here. I may move my Ascda. to that window to get it more light. Looking at it I thought it was only strap-leaved; I didn't know it's lineage. Thanks for the advice!

Mark