Any chance of a 2019 growing project?

[stonedragonfarms]

Originally Posted by fishmom

There is often lots of discussion about moving plants to S/H. How about a project in which each person selects a plant that is showing new root growth and transferring it to S/H? There could be comparisons of genus, type of pots, various kinds of LECA, heat mat or not, etc.

This is an interesting idea, though perhaps to make it a bit more "project" like, maybe we should all have a plant from the same genus; ie everybody does a cattleya (or dendrobium, phrag, etc.); that way there is a similarity between all participants...
AP

[bdublyou]

All of these are great ideas. Personally, I am leaning toward S/H as I wanted to see how this method works in my environment. Each could grow a different specimen in the same genus or we could try different genera in S/H to compare how this method works across the spectrum. Thus, answering either which hybrids or species fare better in the method within the same genus or which cultural method favors S/H for that genus; or which genus fares better in S/H (roughly, obviously it may be different among growers due to individual culture beyond just the growing medium). Hope that made sense.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by bdublyou

All of these are great ideas. Personally, I am leaning toward S/H as I wanted to see how this method works in my environment. Each could grow a different specimen in the same genus or we could try different genera in S/H to compare how this method works across the spectrum. Thus, answering either which hybrids or species fare better in the method within the same genus or which cultural method favors S/H for that genus; or which genus fares better in S/H (roughly, obviously it may be different among growers due to individual culture beyond just the growing medium). Hope that made sense.

I also like the S/H idea. For selfish reasons, because it's how I grow anyway. Not sure I could keep something in bark alive for a year now.

I don't think the genus part for faring better would work, especially for someone unaccustomed to growing that way. One's normal or particular culture and/or environment has a lot to do with growing. For example, instead of S/H what if the project was mounting something? For many, the challenge lies in the "different" way of growing that many have never tried. So if the focus of the project is on trying something outside the norm of how one usually grows... ??? Or perhaps that's not the idea.

And I've never been in on a "project" so I'm not sure what the goals usually are. Guess I'd better go read and do my homework.

[rbarata]

How about rupiculous Laelias...that's the same project as last year but now we could raise the bar a little bit and try to grow them in rocks.
Participants could post photos of plants in the habitat as well as ideas found in the web.
Then everyone can choose their method.

[bdublyou]

I think these are all great ides! Certainly, for those interested in participating we can actually move forward and try one of these ideas. In my mind we don't have to have a large group to do this. Is it possible to post an announcement in other parts of the forum to allow more people the chance to participate? Here is the list of suggestions so far, but we don't necessarily have to be limited to these, we can keep the topic open for awhile longer, no?
1) semi hydro project on any orchid
2) semi hydro project with an orchid in the same genus tbd later)
2) mounted project (orchid type tbd)
3) rupiculous laelias on rock
4) rupiculous laelias any growing method (revival of last year's proposed project)
5) Laelia harpophylla (single species with your preferred culture)
6) semi hydro side by side grow of any orchid vs your preferred method (new idea)
7) Culture tweak of another variable (fert, light, other culture conditions--still need ideas on this one)
8) switch your preferred growing method on any orchid (mounted to bark, bark to S/H, S/H to water culture etc. Obviously would be different for everyone)

I'm really hoping we can get something going. Thanks for all the ideas guys. If we can get these down to a 3 or four choices I would be happy to post a poll and maybe an announcement in other areas of the board to try and recruit more people.

[WaterWitchin]

I think a poll is a great idea! Maybe your top five in order of desire? Having said that, never participated before and from what little half hour of research I did here, not sure of the goal. Still in for now.

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

And 6 and 8 would be easy to accommodate, plus interesting to me.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by bdublyou

1) semi hydro project on any orchid
2) semi hydro project with an orchid in the same genus tbd later)
2) mounted project (orchid type tbd)
3) rupiculous laelias on rock
4) rupiculous laelias any growing method (revival of last year's proposed project)
5) Laelia harpophylla (single species with your preferred culture)
6) semi hydro side by side grow of any orchid vs your preferred method (new idea)
7) Culture tweak of another variable (fert, light, other culture conditions--still need ideas on this one)
8) switch your preferred growing method on any orchid (mounted to bark, bark to S/H, S/H to water culture etc. Obviously would be different for everyone)

I would be interested in participating, but any plant requiring high light would be a no-go for me; likewise, one that requires a significant cool-down at night. Of the suggestions above, I could certainly do #1, #2 (depending on the genus chosen), #6, or #8.

[camille1585]

S/H does not work in my conditions, so I'm out, whatever the plant is. A standard plant project seems less restrictive to me than a growing method project.

[bdublyou]

Maybe we can do two projects? One for people looking into getting their feet wet with S/H, and one traditional project format? I'd be happy to join both. Camille, did the laelia project ever get off the groundlast year? Do you think we could round up 4 or 5 people to do that? Then the rest of us could decide on a S/H project that would be more inclusive? Just a thought.

---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

Sorry guys, I was confusing years apparently, we already did laelias in 2017. I guess then, we might consider another genus for the traditional project.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by bdublyou

Maybe we can do two projects? One for people looking into getting their feet wet with S/H, and one traditional project format? I'd be happy to join both. Camille, did the laelia project ever get off the groundlast year? Do you think we could round up 4 or 5 people to do that? Then the rest of us could decide on a S/H project that would be more inclusive? Just a thought.

---------- Post added at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------

Sorry guys, I was confusing years apparently, we already did laelias in 2017. I guess then, we might consider another genus for the traditional project.

Nah, I don't mind. Rereading my post it comes off a bit snappy since I was quickly replying before going to bed, and snappy was not my intention. I apologize for that. But I actually don't mind too much if I sit this one out since I have another project I can join run by some Dutch orchid growers. Their current project plant (they do bi-monthly projects) is Phrag longifolium and I've been interested in trying more Phrags!