Orchid diary

[The Mutant]

Didn't know where to post this, so I hope the Orchid Lounge is okay.

I just wanted a place where I could talk about what I've done with my orchids and what's going on with them. I have too much time on my hands and I need to get all the orchid enthusiasm out of my system somehow.

I could've posted it to the Phalaenopsis section, but since I'm planning on getting some Paphs in the future, it didn't feel quite fitting.

If anyone else wants to share their "orchid diary" here as well, that would be awesome.




Anyway, here I go. Warning, wall of text incoming!

Yesterday, I repotted my one and only Phal. 'Magic Art' and it took me four hours to do so. No, I didn't run into the forest and scrape bark off the trees to use in the substrate, even though one might think so.

I started by removing it from the pot and the media it was in just fell off. It hadn't rooted itself at all after the grower put it into the pot and it had no growing roots at all. The root system was perfectly fine and healthy though with only a few squishy parts. The peat-plug also came off very easily.

After that, I sprayed the foliage with water + soap and rinsed it with water (I'm a tad paranoid about unwanted guests at the moment). I hung it it upside down to dry and get all water out of the crown. This is what took so long. Took a picture of it since it looked so dumb:



While it was drying, I went out on the balcony and tried my hand at making extra holes + slits on the pot using the soldering iron I bought earlier this week. It worked splendidly, but my skills need some serious work. It looked like something a five-year old might've made (and that's mean to all talented kids out there).

Then it was time to pot it and it took about an hour and a half, as I tried to be very gentle and not harm any roots. I potted it in straight, medium-sized bark, with sphagnum on top and two packing peanuts in the middle.

Now, it stands in the world's ugliest pot and with both spikes drunkenly pointing in different directions. Oh well, as longs as it works I'm happy.

It's the first time I'm using a pot with slits in the sides and so far I'm very happy with it. The substrate is drying out more evenly and the condensation is more of a fog on the side facing the window, instead of large water droplets as it was previously. I realize I'll have to water more frequently, but I prefer that over the poor roots swimming in condensation.

And all that's left is to see if I can care for it and make it grow.

Oh, got an email from Schwerter that they are going to ship my order on Monday, then I got an email from DHL letting me know that they've shipped it?! I could check the tracking today and it seems the data about my order has been sent to DHL, but not the package yet. Phew! That scared me!

The beginning of next week will be spent furiously refreshing DHL's Track & Trace page.

EDIT: Forgot to add what Jon was up to while I was busy with the plant:

[The Mutant]

Today I watered my lonely Phal as the roots were silvery, the bark looked dry and there was no condensation in the pot at all. I hope I made the right call. I'm learning how to judge when to water with the slits in the pot as it's a first for me.

Here's a pic of my masterpiece I took yesterday btw. I call it; "Little Pot of Horror":

And yes, you can see parts of two of Jon's cat furniture in the background. He's very fond of them.

Still very happy with the lack of severe condensation in the pot. It's foggy now after being watered, but that's all and it felt like the substrate, roots and condensation all dried up at the same rate. Before, the roots looked silvery, the substrate looked dry-ish, but the pot was full of heavy condensation.

I've also realized I won't have to spray the sphagnum on top, since everything dries at the same pace and that's great!

To prepare for potential uninvited guest (a.k.a. pests), I clicked home some neem oil earlier so now I feel a bit calmer. Whenever I feel rich enough, I'll also order some Kelpak. I didn't realize it's possible to get here in the EU before reading about it on OB.

Tomorrow my Phals (and my friend's - she wanted two as well) are being shipped! I can't wait for them to arrive and I really hope the delivery person doesn't decide to not deliver it at my door. It's happened several times before.

And lastly, a picture of Jon where he was on (one of) his favorite spot(s) and playing with his favorite toy again:



EDIT: Oops, where did this one come from?



So, my first ever Oncidopsis Nelly Isler. I've always loved their flowers, but never seen myself as capable of caring for them and I don't really like how they look out of bloom.

I'm willing to try this time around and I'm counting on it suffering a horrible horrible death.

I ordered seven warm loving Phals and they'll be in the same room as this one. We'll see how all of them fare (the temps go from 18°C - 27°C during the year). I plan on putting this one next to the humidifier and also getting an outer clay pot to try and keep the roots as cool as possible during summer.

We'll see how long it survives.

[The Mutant]

Today, I watered my Nelly Isler and after asking the more experienced orchid people on this board, didn't repot it. I did go through with my plan of putting it in a "decorative" clay pot (it's not decorative at all - it's super ugly), which I wrapped in moist paper (temporarily, thinking of using the synthetic sphagnum I have instead) and then put into an even larger, but actual, decorative pot.

I hope this will be enough to keep the roots a bit cooler during summer.

The major reason it got to move into the bigger pot today was because Jon, my wonderful little pest of a cat, realized that I'd gotten a different orchid compared to the usual boring ones. One with grass-like leaves! He decided to have a taste and didn't understand why I got upset at him. It was me who put kitty-snacks right in front of his nose, after all. I dusted some cinnamon on the assaulted leaf and moved the plant to a pedestal where he can't reach it.

So far, all buds are still growing on the Nelly Isler and the first one has started to open.

I've been trying to track my package from Schwerter, but absolutely nothing has changed with it. I hope my order is on its way, but that the tracking hasn't been updated for some reason. I really want my Phals to get here as soon as possible.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

I dusted some cinnamon on the assaulted leaf and moved the plant to a pedestal where he can't reach it.

Are you really, REALLY, sure about that?

I also have a lovable pest called Jon, my son!

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

I've been trying to track my package from Schwerter, but absolutely nothing has changed with it. I hope my order is on its way, but that the tracking hasn't been updated for some reason. I really want my Phals to get here as soon as possible.

yeah schwerter sets up the delivery so you get a notice right away but usually its about 3 days before the actual thing arrives...maybe more being you are in sweden. itll get there soon, im sure! hang in there!!

[PuiPuiMolcar]

lovely kitty

[nemesis]

Can’t wait to see the blooms on the Nelly Isler. Make sure you share, please.
Kelly

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by Fuerte Rav

Are you really, REALLY, sure about that?

I also have a lovable pest called Jon, my son!

I hope I've put it out of his reach. He's a very "well behaved" cat (within quotation marks since cats are cats - I haven't trained him or anything) and usually doesn't get up to too much trouble. But if I put "grass" right in front of his nose, even he will act like a cat and try it out.

Originally Posted by tmoney

yeah schwerter sets up the delivery so you get a notice right away but usually its about 3 days before the actual thing arrives...maybe more being you are in sweden. itll get there soon, im sure! hang in there!!

Yeah, it's been a while since I ordered from them and it's the first time a weekend has come between the "your data has been sent to DHL" and the actual package making its way there, that it threw me off. It usually takes three to four days for the package to arrive here in Sweden (barring unforeseen delays).

It finally updated yesterday! So I guess my orchids will get here by Thursday (unless the delivery firm here in Sweden pretends I'm not home and doesn't deliver it properly...).

Originally Posted by nemesis

Can’t wait to see the blooms on the Nelly Isler. Make sure you share, please.
Kelly

You and me both. I've been hovering around this poor orchid, staring at the opening flower like a hawk. It's really taking its sweet time, but I'll definitely post pictures when it's fully open.

[The Mutant]

The flower has opened now! The color is a bit tricky to capture properly. It's more burgundy rather than bright red.

It's gorgeous no matter what shade of red it is. Too recently opened for any scent however, so I'll have to wait for that. Absolutely love it.

[Fuerte Rav]

Gorgeous!