Mokara Chark Kuan[gold] on S/H - Orchid Board

Bud · #1 08-27-2011, 12:21 AM

This orchid loves direct sunlight and dont burn at all... drinks a lot and feeds a lot. Its on its third bloom this year. Lately I noticed its not happy in its redwood basket anymore, its getting dry and only gave me 5 blooms from the 9 buds it started with. I did a quick research on S/H method and thought it might work just as long as the roots dont touch water for they are not meant to do that... constant moistening this summer is a must for this plant...now it gets flushed once a week in the sink and the water is added with a mix of worm tea and seaweed(1 capful to 1 gallon)
After a week on S/H the Mokara is very happy, it perked up its flowers and its just thriving on its new environment.
I am new to S/H...I value any advice as to what I am doing right or wrong.

Eyebabe · #2 08-27-2011, 12:59 AM

This looks like a vandaceous plant.
It needs water daily if in a basket and like high humidity and high light.
I have not grown vandas in s/h so maybe someone who does can chime in with culture tips

RJSquirrel · #3 08-27-2011, 04:59 AM

Mokara is an Ascocentrum, Arachnis and Vanda orchid. the roots dont like cold water.

orchidsamore · #4 08-27-2011, 05:41 AM

Mokara are one of the easiest Vandaceous to grow.

As you learned they can take as much as 100% sunlight all day.

They will do very well in s/h. You were probably not giving it enough water in the basket. They need daily soaking. These are often grown in pots and will take almost any type of treatment.

Be ready as these can grow 1-2 feet a year depending on the variety. They are very popular as cut flowers as the flowers can live 10 days as a cut flower. Much longer than most orchids.

In s/h you will probably not get as many aerial roots as with heavy watering over the entire plant. These are propagated by top cuttings as aerial roots develop. Here is a tutorial on it. The Aranda in the demo is closely related to Mokara and grow the same. I could have cut a Mokara just as easily.
Vanda divisions and propagation

Bud · #5 08-28-2011, 03:48 AM

Yeeey ! Thanks Jerry !

Kelo · #6 08-28-2011, 04:10 AM

Looks like a winner, Bud! Got to try a vanda sometime!

Bud · #7 08-28-2011, 03:33 PM

Thanks, Kelo...I have a couple of vandas to choose from...NYC in the fall is a bit dry atmosphere altho the sun still shines bright...all my vandacious will still enjoy sun, heat and humidity up til after laborday weekend...then two weeks after that the frost comes and all my fire escape nad out of the window plants get to go inside...

Kelo · #8 08-28-2011, 04:20 PM

Once I get my greenhouse up and running I will, of course, have to buy some new 'chids so they may as well be vandas.

vandagirl · #9 08-29-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelo

Once I get my greenhouse up and running I will, of course, have to buy some new 'chids so they may as well be vandas.

That's a good choice. Vanda's are very pretty, and easy to grow. Certainly when you have a greenhouse.

Bud · #10 04-10-2014, 12:46 AM

I thought this would die on me with the bacteria and fungi infestation that happened a year ago that all started with the cold dark spots= I used 'Captan' on it (one of the 'big guns' when my home remedy didn't work). I repotted it in a bigger glass and now the roots are all the way down the water level and is thriving well....it only gave me four buds and two opened. I don't know if the two others will also open or blast on me.

*this is my official avatar.

*I tried backlight from the sun to show the sheer petals and its shimmering glow.