Quote:
Originally Posted by Stray59
Really nice set-up - I love the imagination of orchid growers! How cool - Keep us updated on the progress!
Steve
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Lol thx for the compliment. Imagination is what has helped me be a successful gardener and orchid grower in Colorado. We have such a difficult time with swings in temps and humidity it can sometimes be very difficult to get things just right.
I ended up removing this plant from its bottle home. The moss was staying too wet and the air roots entirely too dry. I removed it last night to let it dry out and it was sill pretty darn wet this morning (my photo period is during the night... Growing in the basement and running lights at night at a lower rate saves money...plus I work at night!). I removed all of the moss and found one or two roots that were dead, most of the roots were air roots so if I caused the root loss, it won't affect the plant too much because it has many very healthy air roots.
I decided instead to plant it in a situation I think it'll appreciate more. I have a larger bottle I plan on fashioning for it but now its a better set up.
I took the old net pot and placed it inside the new pot up-side-down. I placed nothing under the pot and the pot has a large hole on the bottom... Therefore I should get even drying and ventilation.
Using very long strands of moss, I wrapped them, one by one, around and around the net pot and tucked the ends into the bottom where the net pot fit snug in the new pot. It worked perfectly...exactly what I wanted. On the top of the net pot I rolled some moss to make a small pillow and place it on the top, with the plant over that. I then found the longest strands I could find and tucked one end into the pot and then wound them over a root here and a root there... Not too tight but tight enough to keep the plant in. Place and not too tight that the air roots wouldn't get the air they're use to having.
The new pot is heavy to give it stability and with the net pot inverted under the moss, I get the look of a more traditional Japanese potting with all the venting the plant likes.
I have a two liter wine bottle that I will be cutting that this plant will fit nicely inside on a bed of rocks or stones to keep it from sitting in water. It'll up the humidity without the plant from getting too wet for too long.
Phew... I think it'll be happier this way.
Thoughts?
thanks for the translation! It is a cute little plant... And I mean LITTLE.
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