Neo in Glass

[johnblagg]

I read this post and decided to try this but I add some fiber stuff the chids were actually pnanted in around the top of the vase to trap humidity somewhat ...mine are doing great this way

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Ryan;

No worries on the post. At first I thought you might have thought I was one of those people who responds to the latest posts without reading the entire thread (One of my pet peeves). When I read it a second time I knew what you were getting at.

I'm afraid I mis-understood from the start and didn't realize you were soaking longer than most people using the vase culture typically do. It became more clear after reading your exchange with Camille. That said, your roots should be more acclimated to being in water longer and you should see good results.

I agree a greenhouse would help a lot. We all need a greenhouse Have you thought about an orchidarium? While the store bought kind like the "Grand Cayman" and others can be a bit pricey, quite a few people have had good success with Exo-Terra terrariums or aquariums in the 20-75 gallon range. I have a couple of 50 gallon tanks with a glass aquarium top and a normal output 2-bulb T5 light fixture that I use for growing certain aquarium plants emmersed that work quite well. Add a computer/muffin fan for improved air circulation and you should be good to go.

Cheers.
Jim

Phew! Good! I love OB and we have some of the nicest people on the net living here so I didn't want to upset anyone! Mental note, though-- I think I was responding with that post while juggling a baby girl... so I was way more to-the-point and I think thats why it came off that way. The baby, BTW, has already learned how to water plants. LOL

These are some good ideas and I'll have to consider them. Sometimes I feel people don't quite understand the battle one has to wage on dryness in a place like Colorado. I used to live back east and humidity was never an issue (except in the summer when it became too much!). Even those on the West coast, in general, can enjoy higher humidity. But being at an altitude above 6500 feet, physics take a turn and toll on how the elements of Nature behave. Partial pressure is our biggest enemy here-- meaning its so much lower because of the altitude that we have less space in our air for water, oxygen nitrogen and so on. Of course, most things adapt-- plants, people etc... but it doesn't negate the fact that when the winds come racing down the mountain, the partial pressure gets squeezed and we have even less moisture than before. This is a common occurrence here. Its only when the wind slows and begins moving to the west... called an upslope... that we enjoy moisture-- usually heavy fog, rain and in winter, sizable snow storms. But this is rare. Our lives are so-well dictated by our mountains that sometimes you can resent them... but then you look and remember how tremendously gorgeous they are and despite the wickedness of Nature here, she also greatly rewards us.

[Vanda lover]

Here on Vancouver Island, I like to wait until the end of May before I put them outside. Use your last frost date as a guideline, but keep an eye on your night temperatures.
It sounds like you'll need to put your greenhouse in a spot where it can get mainly morning light, on the North side of a building or other shade source might be good. If it faces south, you'll cook.

[alsorchids]

Ryan; I know exactly what your climate and growing environment is like. I am at 5400 feet here in New Mexico and the winds can be constant. If you can get a swamp cooler installed great. The portable units can be O.K., but I am using a humidifier(table top unit) which works well if you don't mind the expense of the filters all the time. I have had it 4 months and it runs and looks like new even using our very hard well water. Let me know if you want the brand and model number etc. and I will PM you if you like. AL

[Pilot]

Ok this should very likely be put in the Vanda section but since its still a part of my vase culture experiments, it's going here.

I bought a new vanda recently (V. Vivan x sanderiana) and it has really long roots-- almost all were viable when I received the plant-- the leaves are a little sad but that will fix itself with time and good culture.

So the problem I ran into is that the vase its in is quite large. I don't remember the dimensions or the volume but when full, it's heavy for sure! So I decided the bottom of the vase would get a hole drilled to drain the vase instead of up-ending it to empty the contents. This did two things-- saved me from having to maneuver with this heavy glass vase full of water and second, it allowed me to put hydroton into the vase-- not much, just enough to cover the bottom, up surface area and thus humidity through evaporation.

The trick worked well but the very bottom roots would stay at the very bottom of the vase while the hydroton would float (and eventually sink as it filled with water) and then the roots would be sitting in water with very wet medium atop them-- ripe for root rot. So I needed a way to control the hydroton.

I took screening-- the kind you put in your window to keep out bugs-- and cut two circular patterns, sewed them up, flipped the whole thing inside-out (think of how you make a pillow) and then filled it with the hydroton I wanted at the bottom. I then sewed that hole shut.

Placing the pillow of hydroton at the bottom does three things-- keeps the lowest roots from sitting in water-- still provides the vase with a lot more surface area for evaporation and lastly, it keeps the hydroton in place, at the bottom where the lowest part of the pillow can sit in water and draw from it throughout the day as water evaporates.

I also took hydroton and placed it inside the vanda's basket-- they're too big to fall through to the bottom and having them about the roots at the top gives more humidity locally at the top.

I just did this so this is the beginning of the experiment. For now, I'm watering the plant twice a day with my waste ro/di water with a pinch of fert in the water. So far the roots have plumped up really well and I may be able to go to a once-a-day watering (hoping!!!!!).

Here are the photos.

[pedidiva]

great idea with the screen. How is the Vanda doing?

[Bud]

That is a neat idea! I learned how to drill holes on glass so I wont deal with water inside the glass...roots dont like to touch water and to get cold...

[pedidiva]

Bud, I saw your thread on drilling the holes. I laughed out loud about your comment about electricity & water not mixing too well....

[Pilot]

Pedidiva, the Vanda is doing ok...not great but I've also not been all that attentive to it. It's been a busy year for me :0(