Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester 'HOF' potting mix - Orchid Board

JScott · #1 07-18-2020, 07:31 PM

Okay, so those Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester 'HOF's from Hausermann were cheap, so I got two more. I now have three. I thought I could put them in different places and see which one does the best.

My question is what kind of potting material do these prefer? For most of my Oncidium types, I use fine Orchiata with a little fine scoria mixed in, however I notice that they plants from Hausermann came in a much coarser mix, like medium bark. What's the best consistency for potting these plants? Will they enjoy the fine mix I use for my other Oncidiums, or do they prefer a more open mix, such as what I use for my Cattleyas (medium orchiata, LECA, sponge rock, and stalite).

What do you think? What size mix should I plant these guys in? Should I add a little sphag to keep them moist? I can do that, or just water frequently. I'm actually more inclined to water more frequently. Sphag breaks down so fast.

What do you guys think about small socoria for this plant?

WaterWitchin, I think I'm going to put one of them in semi-hydro. You mentioned that I may want to to practice with a plant I'm not so invested in before I use it on a plant that I would be really sad if it died, but now that I have three, if I lost one, I still have two more, so it's not such a big deal.

What's the best potting mix for this plant? It's going to be growing inside most of the year at an east window where humidity ranges from 45-50 percent usually, although when we get freezing spells in Texas (not often) the humidity can drop as low as 20. I have one on my grow racks with artificial light, and like I said, I think I'll put the other in semi-hydro.

JScott · #2 07-19-2020, 01:22 AM

I went ahead and just bought some semi hydro "kits" that have the pot, and the water meter, and all the LECA you need to fill the pot because I thought that would be easier for my first try. I got a few of them so that I could put a few different plants in semi-hydro. That isn't an economical solution if I was going to do my whole collection, as they were expensive, but I know I could figure out a way to do it myself much cheaper, but it seemed to be the easiest way to get started and see if I like it. I'll put one of the Rawdon Jesters in semi-hydro, and two or three other plants (haven't decided which ones yet) and see how I like it. If I like it, I would come up with a more budget friendly way to convert more of my plants to SH.

Ray · #3 07-19-2020, 08:26 AM

Orchids do not “prefer” any particular potting medium. What they must have is a medium that works well with your growing conditions and watering habits to provide them with their preferred culture.

Concerning the S/H pot with gauge - the design makes it very easy to just “top up” the reservoir. DON’T DO IT!

When you water, lift the “culture pot” containing the plant, LECA and gauge out of the outer pot. Dump the contents, flush the inner pot and reassemble, then add a little nutrient solution until the gauge barely budges.

JScott · #4 07-19-2020, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Orchids do not “prefer” any particular potting medium. What they must have is a medium that works well with your growing conditions and watering habits to provide them with their preferred culture.

Concerning the S/H pot with gauge - the design makes it very easy to just “top up” the reservoir. DON’T DO IT!

When you water, lift the “culture pot” containing the plant, LECA and gauge out of the outer pot. Dump the contents, flush the inner pot and reassemble, then add a little nutrient solution until the gauge barely budges.

Okay, I'll phrase it another way. Will this plant (the ones not in SH) do better in a coarse mix like what they are planted in now, or should I use the small grade mix I use on my other Oncidium type plants? I tend to be an over waterer, but that doesn't seem to be a problem with my Oncidiums. With Oncidiums growing in bark, it seems almost impossible to overwater them, unless you're doing something crazy like watering them two times a day. And thanks for the tip about flushing the pot and refilling it until the gauge barely moves. This is my first attempt at SH, so I will take any advice I can get.

WaterWitchin · #5 07-19-2020, 09:59 AM

I think it depends on your style JScott. Pot it in the medium you pot other plants with similar needs. If you bought the same plant from three different growers, I would be surprised if they were all planted the same way. A grower chooses medium based on their particular style of watering, environment, etc. You should do the same.

An east window is a good choice for the one. Remember they aren't a high light plant. The one in semi-hydro... I think that's a good choice, especially considering you're in Texas, which is presumably hotter than Kansas. I still haven't brought mine inside (remember the freaking out about it being outside earlier?). I think I get away with it due to the SH. I'm watching it carefully, and it's staying just at the edge of too much sun (dappling red on new growth).

These SH "kits"... what are they? Is this the self watering pot or what?

JScott · #6 07-19-2020, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I think it depends on your style JScott. Pot it in the medium you pot other plants with similar needs. If you bought the same plant from three different growers, I would be surprised if they were all planted the same way. A grower chooses medium based on their particular style of watering, environment, etc. You should do the same.

An east window is a good choice for the one. Remember they aren't a high light plant. The one in semi-hydro... I think that's a good choice, especially considering you're in Texas, which is presumably hotter than Kansas. I still haven't brought mine inside (remember the freaking out about it being outside earlier?). I think I get away with it due to the SH. I'm watching it carefully, and it's staying just at the edge of too much sun (dappling red on new growth).

These SH "kits"... what are they? Is this the self watering pot or what?

Yes, it's like a self watering pot. I got them at - Complete Hydroponic Pots #

WaterWitchin · #7 07-19-2020, 10:19 AM

Okay, gotcha. I'm sure that will work, as long as you still follow some basic guidelines of SH. But I see them as a real PITA compared to just making your own pots. You're gonna have to pull that inner pot out to flush it. Those are more for real-deal hydroponics, and also great for violets. What kind of water are you using? I guess, rather what kind of water are you going to use for your semi-hydro? Then I can better answer about how to use those for SH.

And the medium part for the others... are you getting what I'm saying about it? Of course, you wouldn't want to grow a phrag on a pile of scoria unless you want to water constantly. You wouldn't want to grow a Catt in a sodden mass of small bark mixed with sphag.

Any orchid would "prefer" to be planted exactly the way it grows in nature. Some are more forgiving than others. Most are not like philodendron, that will grow in just about anything. When you take a plant from its natural growing conditions and put into a medium, for the plant to thrive it needs you to mimic the rest of the environment so it still meets the plant's needs. Wet, moist, air flow, a dry period between waterings... that's the "you" part and how much you want to fool with them.

I'll pick on my buddy DirtyCoconuts... he loves to water. Constantly. Growing in small bark with sphag would be disastrous for him because of his climate, AND his watering habits. So you play a big piece of the puzzle as to what medium to choose.

JScott · #8 07-19-2020, 11:16 AM

Good point. I also love to water, so I use open mixes that dry quickly.

---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Okay, gotcha. I'm sure that will work, as long as you still follow some basic guidelines of SH. But I see them as a real PITA compared to just making your own pots. You're gonna have to pull that inner pot out to flush it. Those are more for real-deal hydroponics, and also great for violets. What kind of water are you using? I guess, rather what kind of water are you going to use for your semi-hydro? Then I can better answer about how to use those for SH.

And the medium part for the others... are you getting what I'm saying about it? Of course, you wouldn't want to grow a phrag on a pile of scoria unless you want to water constantly. You wouldn't want to grow a Catt in a sodden mass of small bark mixed with sphag.

Any orchid would "prefer" to be planted exactly the way it grows in nature. Some are more forgiving than others. Most are not like philodendron, that will grow in just about anything. When you take a plant from its natural growing conditions and put into a medium, for the plant to thrive it needs you to mimic the rest of the environment so it still meets the plant's needs. Wet, moist, air flow, a dry period between waterings... that's the "you" part and how much you want to fool with them.

I'll pick on my buddy DirtyCoconuts... he loves to water. Constantly. Growing in small bark with sphag would be disastrous for him because of his climate, AND his watering habits. So you play a big piece of the puzzle as to what medium to choose.

Oh, and I failed to answer your question about water. I was planning on just using the tap water we have here in Grand Prairie. It's the same water I use on all my other plants, and they don't seem to mind at all.

WaterWitchin · #9 07-19-2020, 02:01 PM

Okay, so you’ll just have to watch your LECA for mineral buildup. It’s pretty easy to see it start to accumulate at top layer where it evaporates. If you’ll take out internal pot every 7 or so days and flush well, dump out old water in external pot then refill you should be fine. How deep does that water get on inside pot when gauge is all the way up? You may need to adjust how high you let gauge get until you have right depth for reservoir.

JScott · #10 07-19-2020, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Okay, so you’ll just have to watch your LECA for mineral buildup. It’s pretty easy to see it start to accumulate at top layer where it evaporates. If you’ll take out internal pot every 7 or so days and flush well, dump out old water in external pot then refill you should be fine. How deep does that water get on inside pot when gauge is all the way up? You may need to adjust how high you let gauge get until you have right depth for reservoir.

How high should the water get? I know it depends on the height of the pot, but let's say a pot is six inches tall? Or is there a rule of thumb I could follow for knowing how deep the water should be?

I'm not sure how deep the water is when the gauge is at the top. The item description does not say. It gives the width of the pot, but not the height.