Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[pasojanice]

Hi Josh,
Not really 100% but close enough that you really don't have to water for about 2 weeks. I also have 2 Vandas in self-watering pots. Now those are different. I have ordered 2 of the boxes to put them in since I like to see the roots hanging. I have pictures of small Vandas that hang in my kitchen over the sink with the roots hanging down and those are small. LOL
Janice

[Bud]

This is the first cernua with roots cleaned of old debris and treated for algae deposits...it is positioned in a south facing bay window that is at the very back of the table about two feet away from the glass propped on top of a brick so not to burn the leaves…I use distilled water(Manhattan tap water is scary with chlorine and salts) twice a week spritz until the media is moist but not soaking wet…since it is growing in the warmer months I intend to do light fertilizer alternating with algoflash and seaweed mix weekly weakly…I have this plant size that is just right on a 4” hexagonal redwood basket with a bed of coconut fiber laden with small bark, lava rocks, charcoal, treefern shards and tiny clay chips so it can climb over the edge of the basket and grow around…it’s just too bad that I have a centrally air-conditioned apartment; this can dry out my plants easily so I have humidifiers on both sides of the bay window and for good air movement, small oscillating electric fans. This plant is atop a saucerful of rocks that also serves as humidity tray. I have the option to hang it in the near future when it has acclimatized to my apartment.

[bballr4567]

That is an awesome setup.

[camille1585]

Nice basket, it looks great!
I don't understand why you don't use your tapwater? NYC tapwater is supposed to be very pure (it comes from upstate NY) from what I've read here, and would be ideal for orchids. As for the chlorine, let the water sit in an open container overnight, and it's gone.

[kavanaru]

Very nice plant! It will look great when growing over and around that basket!

Originally Posted by Bud

(Manhattan tap water is scary with chlorine and salts)

interesting to read this... As I have always read in the slippers forum, that those living in Manhattan were lucky to have one of the purest and cleanest water in the USA-cities...

[Bud]

Manhattan tap is very safe for drinking; the water source is from ice glaciers from the north that is pure; cant be sure about the path to the city underground...so I still use filter on the faucet...its the chlorine and salts from too much refining the water...my vandas dont complain but for the tiny miniatures...it is scary to let them have tap water from the sink...I just save rainwater or buy distilled water...

[kavanaru]

Camille, that's funny... We were commenting the same about the water at the same time!

[kavanaru]

Bud, I would have a look again on the water analysis... Phrags are very sensitive to salts as well, and I know some slipper growers in Manhattan watering them with tap water as it is supposed to be extremely pure!

[Bud]

I drink Manhattan tap water...but my stomach can process the bacterias and I am used to it for the past 9 years of apartment dwelling...
its just that I feel theres some bacterias and other algaes on the pipes coming from the very bottom of the ground...oh well...my building is from the 20's and they used copper pipes then and they dont rust as the modern ones...so...I might use the tap water when this plant has aclimatized to my environment

[camille1585]

You should get the water quality report, because I am nearly certain that there is nothing scary about your water. I've heard time and time again that the water is great (also from Ray), and if I remember right from forums the TDS is extremely low, so salts are not an issue. And chlorine can be dealt with easily. I'm not picking an argument, but if you can save yourself the trouble of stocking up on gallons of distilled water for the chids, why not?