Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[Paul Mc]

Chlorine dissapates when left out! I did not know that! So, I'm assuming it would have to be a bucket, not like a milk jug.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Chlorine dissapates when left out! I did not know that! So, I'm assuming it would have to be a bucket, not like a milk jug.

I've been doing that for years for my aquarium. Yes it has to be in something open like a bucket. Even an uncapped milk jug is fine, but it will take longer to evaporate since the surface area is smaller.

But I just remembered something I've read before, and doublechecked it. water is more and more often being treated with chloramine, precisely because it doesn't evaporate. So it depends what your water is treated with.

[Daenerys]

I'm a Manhattan dweller, and I use a Pur water filter (the pitcher kind) on my water for the orchids. Since the filters clog up and I have to replace them every couple of months, I'm concluding that there is _something_ in there which is getting filtered out. Whether that is harmful to orchids... I don't know.

I'm interested in what the others' consensus might be about using Manhattan water.

[Bud]

I dont know...maybe I am swayed by television commercials...but I buy bottled water when I am outside my apartment rather than drink in a public faucet(maybe because I see the bums and dogs drink on faucet that I find it gross. Or I can bring water in my backpack coming from my sink...Im not that frugal I suppose and waste my money on water...
I water my Vandas, Dendrobiums, Phals, Catts and Epidendrums from the hose on my sink...but mentally I feel I need to water my miniatures with distilled water(I cant understand why I do that)

[Wynn Dee13]

What is the difference between the Vandas and the minis? Miniature orchids can be just as hardy as bigger orchids. I don't understand why so many people are afraid of the minis. I have read posts on this site from different members that have said they are scared to grow minis because of their size. Most of them are not any different than bigger orchids. Of course there are some orchids that are sensitive to certain water sources but these orchids can be any size.

[camille1585]

Got an email, my project plant and TCs are leaving today!! I should have them friday or saturday. Can't wait!!

[Rowangreen]

Yep, me too! I'm hoping mine will be a bit quicker, so if I miss the delivery they won't be stuck in a depot over the weekend!

Re water: I have a hard water supply, but so far have been using it on all my orchids. So far all fine, though I haven't been growing that long, and a fair few of them I've only had a couple of months. So maybe it's too early to really say. I compensate by flushing the pots at every watering to stop salts building up.

The only plants I have currently not getting tap are a couple of carnivores. If I get a good cheap supply of water for them sorted out then I'm considering a one monthly pure water flush for all and more regular pure water for any that don't seem to be thriving. But 'cheap' is probably the important word there!

Re air movement. Again I'm a beginner at orchids. However I do live in a flat with a bit of a problem with condensation and mold as a result. What I got told to do for that is simply open the windows for about 15 minutes every day. It really does make a massive difference, but doesn't chill the fabric of the building in that time, so the room is warm again as soon as the windows close. Again so far my plants don't seem to mind even in winter. Though I don't currently have any very close to the windows that open, or any likely to be really sensitive to it. While I have the windows open I also turn on extractor fans etc to get as much as possible of the air changed. I do have a fan I put on a bit when I'm in as well, but I don't like to leave it running when I'm out (I have inside cats, so prefer to leave everything turned off that's the slightest fire hazard).

My point is that maybe it's more important for the air to be changed to get rid of mold spores etc than for it to be circulating? Just speculating... but maybe sometimes moist but clean air still under a dome might be more healthy than mold-spore filled air being blown around?

[The Mutant]

Me three! Unfortunately the DHL-number I got was faulty so I can't use it to track my package. Hopefully I'll have the plants by Friday at least.

[camille1585]

I'm next to germany, but for some reason it's always so dang long! You two will probably get your plants before I do...

[camille1585]

But I should normally have my dutch plants tomorrow!! I'm drooling at the thought of tearing open the box to unpack all the lovelies inside. It always feels like christmas! That's a feeling I never get when I buy orchids in person.