Two New Arrivals

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by GardenTheater

...Botanica uses Spanish Moss (I thinks it's actually a type of bromeliad) to cushion plants in shipment. Does anyone know if it actually raises humidity around the roots if it's hung on them?

Beautiful orchid plants GardenTheater--congratulations!

And then there is the Spanish Moss. I was surprised when my Vanda arrived. It was in a basket, no media but Spanish Moss. I contacted my orchid society friend and he told me that some growers use this moss to help raise humidity. But it primarily serves as decoration. He suggested that I keep the moss in place unless it dies off. When I asked if dying moss is an indicator that the orchid was also in trouble, he thought a moment and said, yes, the moss is a faster reactor to what I've done to the plant--over watering (hard to do if it is hanging in a basket) or too much fertilizer or too much sun, or too hot temperature or too cold or not enough fresh air. I showed him your post, he said the moss was not packing material.

My initial reaction was to remove the moss, but after three weeks, it kind of grows on you.

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Beautiful orchid plants GardenTheater--congratulations!

And then there is the Spanish Moss. I was surprised when my Vanda arrived. It was in a basket, no media but Spanish Moss. I contacted my orchid society friend and he told me that some growers use this moss to help raise humidity. But it primarily serves as decoration. He suggested that I keep the moss in place unless it dies off. When I asked if dying moss is an indicator that the orchid was also in trouble, he thought a moment and said, yes, the moss is a faster reactor to what I've done to the plant--over watering (hard to do if it is hanging in a basket) or too much fertilizer or too much sun, or too hot temperature or too cold or not enough fresh air. I showed him your post, he said the moss was not packing material.

My initial reaction was to remove the moss, but after three weeks, it kind of grows on you.

Thanks so much for showing him the post. I've liked Spanish moss ever since I saw it as a kid on a trip to Florida and was fascinated by it's growing habit. I even brought some home from that trip and grew it in an open plastic bag for a while. Hooked on plants early in life. Some think it kills the tree it's on and others think a healthy tree can compete with it.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Thanks. That must be quite a show when they all bloom. The didieri is healthier looking than the photo appears. But if you see anything in the photo that I should spray or cut-off on that plant, please let me know.

It sure is! I don't see anything bad in the photo. I would just make sure to keep the didieri nice and humid if you're growing it bare root.

A not on Spanish moss, which is a type of tillandsia, as far as I know, it helps keep humidity around the roots when it's' wet. So when you water it holds moisture in the area longer.

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

It sure is! I don't see anything bad in the photo. I would just make sure to keep the didieri nice and humid if you're growing it bare root.

A not on Spanish moss, which is a type of tillandsia, as far as I know, it helps keep humidity around the roots when it's' wet. So when you water it holds moisture in the area longer.

Thanks. My other mounts didn't come with all those dangling roots so I'll really need to keep on eye on it. I've put the Spanish moss back on the mount where the vendor had it. My humidity stays above 50 without much effort (no fogger hassle for me) and goes much higher at night as temps go down. I've read 60 and above is better for these so fingers crossed.