Newbie in Hudson Valley of NY
 

Hello everyone,

I have had phals for about ten years now. Never - and still do not - know what I am doing. I live in NYS approximately 50 miles north on the Hudson from NYC.

Currently, I have about eight (8) phals and a couple lady slippers. I have kept them all alive but do not know if they are "thriving". None of them have ever re-bloomed in about the ten years since I have had them.

Over the summer I spoke with a man who worked as a designer as a well known Orchid nursery in Brewster, NY for a number of years. He suspected a problem with fertilization and advised me to alternate weekly between two different fertzs and water.

I have been doing this regularly for about three (3) months and hope to see better results. A bloom or two would be nice.

Additionally, I have been looking for a healthy and challenging hobby. May move my collection to an old dark room in my basement and grow under the under lights.

Has anybody had luck establishing, maintaining and adding to a collection entirely out of the natural light in artificial surroundings? I realize I need lights, humidity trays, timers and maybe even a humidifier, etc.

Would like to use basement room because there is an old kitchen down there with a pair of sinks, counter space and cabinets.

Kino

Hi Kino, I'm in the Hudson Valley near Newburgh. There are lots of us here on OB that grow under lights. Check out the "Growing under lights" in the Styles, Enclosures and Setup" section.
Welcome!

Bill

Dear Bill,

Will do. Thank you. I am located in Hopewell Junction but was born and raised in the Town of Newburgh. What town are you in? So you "grow under the lights"?

Do you grow your orchids exclusively under lights or do you get some natural light too?

My plan will be exclusively underground in the basement. The only light will be artificial.

I will be sure to take a look at the section you directed me to. I hope I can do it in a cost effective way. If it is extremely costly, I might as well take up yachting.

Kino

Hi and Welcome Kino, :waving

I'm also located in the Hudson Valley. Bill and I are members of the Mid-Hudson Orchid Society that meets monthly in Newburgh.

I am a newbie too. I had a Phal that wouldn't bloom for a couple of years. When I got real serious and increased the light, fertilized at every watering and used better water, I finally got a spike this fall. I'm also considering growing under lights in the future. Be sure to check out the section titled Growing Under Lights.

Carol

Hi Carol,

I went to an Orchid Show one spring in Newburgh 4 or 5 years ago. It was held in the church on Balmville Rd. Oddly, I grew up around the corner from the church. Could that have been a Mid-Hudson Orchid Society event? Where do you folks meet and when?

I currently water using Dyna-Gro as follows:

Week One (1) Dyna-Gro Food 7-9-5
Week Two (2) Dyna-Bro Bloom 3-12-6
Week Three (3) Water
Week Four (4) Dyna-Gro Food 7-9-5, etc.

You mentioned watering with "better" water. I have considered water other than from the tap. What do you use? Distilled water? My house water comes from a community well. I use a water softener. I wonder if that could be my problem (no spikes or blooms) as well.

I have seen one site where the grower used a "Reverse Osmosis" system hooked up to his tap for his watering needs. That seems a bit ambitious for me at this point.

I will check out "Growing Under Lights". Thank you for reminding me of Bill's tip!

Kino

Yep, that's the church. I just joined a few months ago, but we typically meet the 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:30pm
Www.mhos.us.com

We also have a water softener. I was using that to water my orchids and only one phal was blooming. I now have 11 orchids and I've been buying reverse osmosis (R/O) water from Rite Aid. Some of the grocery stores offer it, if you bring your own jugs. Everyone says do not use softened water for your orchids. It didn't kill mine, but my one stubborn phal didn't bloom. Certain orchids require purer water than others.
Ray, a member on here offers R/O systems for home use. His website: Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra gives a lot of great info about water quality, fertilizer, light, media, etc.

I grow paphs, phals and masdevallia under lights in my basement. I'm fairly successful with the paphs and phals, my masdies struggle but do flower. I need to get my culture better on those. In summer most go outside.
While it's not as expensive a hobby as yachting you will wind up spending some money. You need decent light, ventilation, and good water. Like Carol said don't use softened water, the salts will slowly finish off your plants.

Bill

Hello and welcome; You can check American Orchid Society web for how to care for your plants.

Welcome to Orchid Board :welcome:

:welcomeflowers:

Plants that grow well but don't bloom often need an increase in light.

I don't have artificial lighting, but many members do - either as supplemental to natural light, or as the sole light source. I'm sure some of those members can help you there :)