So Many Questions - Orchid Board

puddin · #1 09-26-2007, 10:14 PM

I have a lot of questions for you guys.
First, the Phrag. Schlnmii, species. I got it in the summer, in bloom. The picture on the Phrag. article is what it looked like. Anyway, all of the new growths it has put out for me, the leaves, tips first, turn brown. The top leaves are also losing their color, but I think that is from to much light. I haven't feretilized this thing for a month. I read somewhere that the tips turn brown if it gets too much. Any thoughts?
On the den. all of those growths that you see have been that way for several months now. Will they grow or just stay that way? I hope they grow, for that could mean more flowers!
And last but not least, the phal. Is that little tip in between the leaves a new root or a spike? It looks different than from any other root growth I've seen.
And here are the pictures!

COLOR]

Ray · #2 09-28-2007, 09:05 AM

The color of that "tip" on the phal makes me think it's a root, but it's awfully hard to tell from the small photo.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like you're trying to grow three plants the same, when they each have totally different needs.

If you think about the conditions the plants get in nature, it really helps.

The phalaenopsis, coming from equatorial forests, likes it warm, very humid, and quite shady. The dendrobium likes bright and warm conditions, and can tolerate drying out between waterings without an issue. The phrag, on the other hand, likes it shady, will do best of kept considerably cooler than the others, and needs to stay constantly moist.

quiltergal · #3 09-28-2007, 01:26 PM

Helene from Briggs Hill Orchids told me that Phrags are particularly sensitive to poor water quality. She only uses RO water. You might buy a gallon of distilled water and use that for watering the Phrag.

The Den. is probably slowing down as we go into fall. Most of my new growths on Dens start in the spring, and mature towards the end of summer/fall.

Can't say on the Phal. The picture isn't big enough to tell what it is.

Dorothy · #4 09-28-2007, 01:57 PM

I use filtered water for my phrags and they are adapting well .. I keep them in the same light as my phals .. a bit dappled to shade .. and they are doing fine .. even growing new leaves from their crowns

They did suffer a bit of rot around their base but I removed the leaves that were getting black and sprinkled those areas with cinammon - they bounced right back

I had them in too much light when I first received them ..

puddin · #5 09-28-2007, 05:10 PM

I had the phrag in to much light now that I've read your advice. I'll cut the light down.
The phal still hasn't grown anymore. I tried to get in as close as possible, but there wasn't enough light and the camera won't take the picture. I'll try again tonight.
On the den., I have another one that has done the same thing, except it grew the growths a year ago. It grew them soon after its flowers dropped, then just stopped. I waited and waited, but nothing has happenned, except it has grwon A LOT of new roots.