Can't Believe I Haven't Posted Here Yet
 

Hey, my name is Ron, some of you probably know me from Dendroboard. I've been a memmber here for quite a while but i just got my first two Orchids (Haraella odorata and Masdevallia nidifica from Andy's) so now i have a reason to post.

Warning: Newbie questions coming up!

The H odorata i got is stick mounted with some sphagnum moss. I'll be putting it in a small vivarium that will house a pair of D. intermedius so the humidities will be %75 or higher. When i mount it to the corkbark in the tank should i leave off the sphag ang just tie it right to the cork or is the sphag still required in high humidities?

The M nidifica is larger than i expected and i'd like to split it up if possible. Can i just cut the root ball into quarters with a sharp knife? This plant is in a pot and i want to mount it in cork also, should i use sphag for this one or not?

Thanks,
-Ron

hey ron ,yes I would deffiantly put a small pad of sphag underneathe the H. oradata. I have a ordorata but it is in a pot. But I am seriously thinking about mounting to cork also. As far as the other one sure divide it makes your collection bigger by doing so. I happily chop up some plants to either give away or trade divisions for other plants.
Clay

:welcome: Aboard RGB, its great to have you join our community. It's a great place with a wealth of knowledge in many different enviroments. Your choice of chids are excellent. If you have an opportunity it would be great to see a :photo: of your chids. There are quite a few members with great knowledge in viv growing and many many how to's and hints for success growing behind the glass.

My Haraella odorata is on a stick, purchased by the same vendor and doing well as purchased without making changes. I know many have them in there viv's and will give you the info you are searching for.

As for the nidifica, when repotting the only time you would cut the root system is when the roots are rotted or dead. A :photo: is worth a thousand words if we could get an idea of your "rootball". I am assuming your nidifica is in bark and if this is the case if and when the chid needs to be repotted you want to soak the bark off the roots, never tugging at them to not disturb the root system. I for one, soak my repots in a root stimulant along with the repotting material to give it the initial boost and start. Oh by the way, if the nidifica is way to large for your liking "got room in my growing area" :biggrin: Suggestively, when purchasing for your viv, either know for sure its a "mini" or contact the vendor and ask a few questions and they will be more than happy to help.

Thanks for the kind welcome everyone, and for the advice. Hey Cesar, i recognized you from DB. I took some pics of my new orchids and the vivarium they're going in so all of you could check them out.

Here's the Viv. It's about five gallons and will have a bunch of other plants besides the orchids (bromeliads, peperomias, dischidias, etc.):
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4...c03522sut6.jpg

And heres the Haraella odorata. The bloomis facing backwards for some reason, hopefully it won't do that once i get it in the viv:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6...c03544spw9.jpg

Here's a shot of the bloom since you can't see it in the other shot:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2...c03541siw9.jpg

Here's the Masdevallia nidifica. It would fit in the viv, but it's just a little too full so i was hoping i could divide the plant up and put some of it in a nother viv i have, any advice?:
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4...c03547snk0.jpg

Thanks

Hello Ron and welcome to the OB!
Your Mas. looks great as is. Wouldn't it make a great background plant in one of the rear corners?