How are you caring for it Izzie? sounds like you got it right.

While CO was warming up to the last frost, it was being switched from a south to a west window everyday as the sun moved.
When I first got it, as usual, my biggest challenge was figuring out what it wanted for water. After watering it more and adding a sphag top dressing, it's pbulbs really plumped up.

And then when it graduated to outside- it REALLY took off. It's on a pretty warm, to hot patio where it gets a about 4 hours of direct morning to noon sun and very bright indirect light the rest of the day. No burning whatsoever- the plant has turned a beautiful dark lime green. About a 20* drop in temperature at night.

Another thing that helped- I very loosely piled sphag up to just against the bottom of the rhizome, since it sticks out of it's pot an inch or so because of it's long original roots. Still had air circulation, but that increased moisture along the rhizome really seemed to get some new roots sprouting in the older areas- the new leads didn't need much help, but the sphag dressing really got them to dig straight down instead of wandering.



It's potted in large bark/charcoal/perlite in a clay pot with one large drainage hole.

Also- I switched from Superthrive to a rooting solution that is kelp based. Almost immediate results- all of my plants, both orchid and garden ones alike, are putting out roots like nobody's business. And the outdoor garden plants seem to be dealing with our heat much better as well.

So very true. In all my hundreds of plants, every new growth is a celebration of the partnership we share.

It's one of the things that is hardest to explain to friends that don't have orchids. There is such a sense of profound accomplishment and pride (in both yourself and your plant!) when you see everyone's hard work paying off.
I think some growers forget that a lot of the work being put in is from the plant, not just the grower- so it's a personal success for them as well!
Unlike a lot of our terrestrial garden and bedding plants, these guys have to defy the odds and sort out how to thrive in environments that are often entirely different from how they are programmed to grow in. They adapt and figure it out- and everyone is rewarded!

I just discovered new roots on the old rhizome back by the older back bulbs on mine too. I was amazed as I had never seen an orchid in this alliance do that before!

can you give me the link for that kelp product again? thanks

Try searching.

for "kelp" on this board:
Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! - Search Results

or Seaweed Rooting Solution, without quotes, on google:

"seaweed rooting solution" - Google Search

You should find lots of info there.

Or call your garden centers and ask if they have any rooting products that are kelp or seaweed based.

okay thanks!

:) I hope someone near you has some!

i hope so too!! since its organic, isnt it hard to burn the root system with it? if so, that would be good for a klutz like me :)

is it ok to be watering mine once a day? its outside in a hanging basket with bark. and if i water everyday, its dry the next day