Can I get some feedback on a Youtube video for Beginners. (Phalaenopsis care)

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

This video was a breath of fresh air, blowing a stale stagnant air away. Well done.

I bet the avatar scene got lame but it came across spot on. I liked all the little special effect from the sun and compass to the dracula effect, the random cockerel crowing to indicate morning watering and of course the green hair!

One of the better orchid video's I'd gladly recommend any newcomer watch. Not that anyone listens to my recommendations but hope it still means somethig

It means a lot!! Thank you so much! You're the first one to point out a lot of little details I sprinkled and it really makes me happy that all that work was noticed.

[Ray]

Marc, my “quibble” is mostly related to the need for the potting media to dry out between waterings. There are enough plants growing well in semi-hydroponics, water culture - and nature! - to demonstrate that’s unnecessary.

[WaterWitchin]

Finally had a bit of time to watch it. Well done, MM! Focused, with just enough humor thrown in to keep one's attention. Back off on the ex... you KNOW you love all those orchids Jesus Francisco got you addicted to! Time to think of it as the one gift he gave that still stays close to heart.

Ray's comment. I do agree with that; however, it is geared toward new-to-orchid folks. If one starts getting into too much detail with one completely new to the game it becomes quickly overwhelming. Maybe next go-round aim for a bit more about aeration in the medium chosen, i.e., decaying bark, soggy sphagnum.

Which brings to mind... We see many folks here with their first or second Phal in poor shape and wondering what's going awry. I'm reflecting on that and wondering how many are doing damage by overwatering vs underwatering vs crappy medium. Thoughts?

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by Ray

Marc, my “quibble” is mostly related to the need for the potting media to dry out between waterings. There are enough plants growing well in semi-hydroponics, water culture - and nature! - to demonstrate that’s unnecessary.

Oh, I know! I plan on making an introduction to semi-hydroponics and water culture on a future video but I thought it would get a little too complicated to complete newbies.

---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Finally had a bit of time to watch it. Well done, MM! Focused, with just enough humor thrown in to keep one's attention. Back off on the ex... you KNOW you love all those orchids Jesus Francisco got you addicted to! Time to think of it as the one gift he gave that still stays close to heart.

Ray's comment. I do agree with that; however, it is geared toward new-to-orchid folks. If one starts getting into too much detail with one completely new to the game it becomes quickly overwhelming. Maybe next go-round aim for a bit more about aeration in the medium chosen, i.e., decaying bark, soggy sphagnum.

Which brings to mind... We see many folks here with their first or second Phal in poor shape and wondering what's going awry. I'm reflecting on that and wondering how many are doing damage by overwatering vs underwatering vs crappy medium. Thoughts?

Thank you! And I love my orchids! But sometimes having a collection feels like having a second job, I just needed to vent haha.

And the overwatering vs underwatering I do agree, I've seen both in my friend group (I'm personally responsible for making a lot of people addicted to orchids), and in my experience the ones that underwater tend to only spray the medium or use a tiny amount of water & the ones that overwater usually have crappy medium, so I tried to steer both of them in the right direction by teaching them to water profusely and then wait. I think watering deserves making a dedicated video in the future, to discuss all of those different points.

[estación seca]

Re: beginners and Phals - relatively low household temperatures are an important issue with them. Watering them during warm spells is a cinch, because even if you soak them too often, it evaporates relatively quickly. Watering them in winter is not a cinch. Mexico City is only 19 degrees North, but at elevation, and winters are quite cool. Leaving Phals outside is risky. I could see people there struggling to bring Phals through the winter in a cool home.

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Re: beginners and Phals - relatively low household temperatures are an important issue with them. Watering them during warm spells is a cinch, because even if you soak them too often, it evaporates relatively quickly. Watering them in winter is not a cinch. Mexico City is only 19 degrees North, but at elevation, and winters are quite cool. Leaving Phals outside is risky. I could see people there struggling to bring Phals through the winter in a cool home.

Oh yes! There are slight differences in the Spanish version and the English version of that video. I might have wrongly assumed that people watching the English version would heat their homes during winter anyway. And I assume that people watching the Spanish version might not, so I do clarify that you might need to provide extra heat if your house is on the cooler side.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Which brings to mind... We see many folks here with their first or second Phal in poor shape and wondering what's going awry. I'm reflecting on that and wondering how many are doing damage by overwatering vs underwatering vs crappy medium. Thoughts?

Probably all of the above.

Foremost is understanding that potting medium is not strictly related to the type of plant. No plant “likes” one over another, but in each individual’s growing conditions and desire to mess with their plants, one is likely better than another.

Overwatering and crappy medium go hand-in-hand, and underwatering likely comes to pass because people have been scared into doing so, fearful that “water causes root rot”.

[Bamanana]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video! What a unique format. Informative and very entertaining. Bring on the next one!