Maxillaria tenuifolia (Project 11 - Summer 2010)

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by help

i checked at lowes, they didnt have any. i havent made it all the way out to HD, the garden center, i dont remember. but the garden center definitely has lava rock, and maybe perlite.

does anyone know if red or black lava rock is preferable? i know someone had roots not grow as well into one, just cant remember which one

As far as I know, they're the same thing. You should be fine with either. I don't think the large nuggets that you might find at lowes/hd would work though. (too big)

Perlite would be too fine to make much of a difference in sphag, imo.

[Izzie]

You could go to a post office or a place like kinkos that sells shipping supplies and get white or green styrofoam peanuts. (pink have an antistatic chemical on them, but the green are okay, as they're made of recycled bits.) White and green have been used with success.

[Call_Me_Bob]

the lava rock i can get is in quarter size peices

[Izzie]

In my opinion, that's too big, particularly for small pots. Would give too much aeration and not enough moisture. I could be wrong.
You could try that and see how it goes.

I believe the styrofoam peanuts would be cheaper. And you can break them into any size that you like.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by help

i checked at lowes, they didnt have any. i havent made it all the way out to HD, the garden center, i dont remember.

You might try calling ahead before trekking out. I know I've seen it at a couple Home Depots, so it might be worth a call to the ones near you to ask if they carry Hydroton. and calling the garden centers too.

[Bird Song Farm]

Woo Hoo! Mad Max has arrived in the boon docks.
It's in a 4" pot and looks fine. Three blossoms that appear to be on their way out but still have some scent. Looks like 4 more buds coming along.
I will let it stay in its bark media for now but change it over to all moss later.
Are we posting pictures now? How are we handling these plants that are in blossom as to the "contest" part of the project?
Oh, certainly can't complain about Los Osos shipping system! Healthy plant and great shipping!!

Al

[Izzie]

I don't think there's a real "contest" involved here. It's just learning and comparing different growing practices in different conditions.

You're welcome to post pictures whenever you want! We love them!

[Call_Me_Bob]

i remember for one, somone offered to send some seedlings to the first to bloom. but i believe it was just that project

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Izzie

I don't think there's a real "contest" involved here. It's just learning and comparing different growing practices in different conditions.

You're welcome to post pictures whenever you want! We love them!

I didn't mean to make it sound like a contest was involved. In previous projects we were interested to see who could bring the project plant to bloom first. No prize involved, just growing, learning, fun.

Al

[nenella]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

Woo Hoo! Mad Max has arrived in the boon docks.
It's in a 4" pot and looks fine. Three blossoms that appear to be on their way out but still have some scent. Looks like 4 more buds coming along.
I will let it stay in its bark media for now but change it over to all moss later.
Are we posting pictures now? How are we handling these plants that are in blossom as to the "contest" part of the project?
Oh, certainly can't complain about Los Osos shipping system! Healthy plant and great shipping!!

Al

Nice!!!!!!!!!!! can we see some photos like plant & bloom? thanks in advance Al.