Sarcochilus on the rocks -OR- mini Sarco fountain experiment

[DirtyCoconuts]

After reading all the fun and crushing frustration of growing these, I said to myself, self, you need some of that in your life

And I added one to my basket at Cal-orchids.

I decided I am going to grow it in my patio ( morning light until 10, super bright shade until noon, deep shade til sundown ) as it will be the coolest area I have and I am making an idea I’ve had for a while. A self watering fountain for one plant. I wanted to make a running water table for a Disa originally but that will fail and so that is stupid (lol, even I occasionally accept my limitations!) so I am modifying it for this


The plan

Take a 24x12x2.5 inch tray and place a 12” circular SHALLOW plastic pot. Fill all with scoria (lava rock) and then place the sarco on the top like a rock neofinatia of sorts.
I wanted a small pump to soak the top of the rocks occasionally and settled on 15 minutes on, 1:45 off...I’ll tweak that as needed.

Proof of concept worked so I put it together. I need a beer pump but I like it.

Thoughts?
Glaring mistakes?
Good natured insults?

[Roberta]

Hey, DC... mind if I move this to the Vanda Alliance forum?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Please. I must have just had a fat thumbed moment

[Roberta]

Done. Interesting idea - I would have never thought of growing a Sarcochilus in a fountain... but by cycling it (and with the plant on top of the rocks), it won't stay too wet - and you'll get some cooling (which it could probably use if contains a lot of S. hartmanii or S. fitzgeraldii, which most of the hybrids do)

[SouthPark]

Sounds pretty good to me DC.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Thanks guys!

I am adding a bunch of Java moss from my aquarium too. I figure it’ll add some living filter and nutes and remind me of I let the water level drop

[DirtyCoconuts]

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr


this is the current setup but i am going to use a stronger pump, run a longer hose with holes along the way and seal the end...then i'll bury that shallow to more fully and evenly soak the top rocks

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr

[varda.elentari]

I'm thinking of mounting one of my new Neos on lava rock and love this concept. How's it working out for you?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Terrific so far

I have a new on a lava rock chunk. It’s a work in progress but mostly my fault lol

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Thanks guys!

I am adding a bunch of Java moss from my aquarium too. I figure it’ll add some living filter and nutes and remind me of I let the water level drop

Java moss... start once, plant everywhere.