Ok, I've done a bad thing and ordered stuff I know nothing about... - Page 4 - Orchid Board

nenella · #31 07-03-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

CHC is coconut husk chunks/chips. It's basically the husk cut up into pieces of varying sizes depending what you need.

Camille, where do you get your CHC from please as I am would like to swap some of my catts as they are 'struggling' in my new house.. (2 yrs)

mspatt · #32 07-03-2009, 07:25 PM

I've ordered a number of orchids from these people. Nice plants!! Their web site is info@orchidsbyhausermann.com
They have a very large selection and it's such fun to just browse and dream

It's also a great idea to have a blooming chid to keep you going strong!! The Maudiae type Paphiopedilums are supposed to be really easy to grow and bloom...

KathyKayserKonig · #33 07-03-2009, 07:50 PM

Thanks so much for all your kind support everyone! This is so great!

Doc G · #34 07-04-2009, 04:27 AM

One other note. Based on what others are saying, you may be getting plants that are close to being seedlings. If that is the case, do not start them in the stronger light conditions the adults require. Take at least a week to acclimate them by increasing the light a little each day. Watch for signs of sunburn.

camille1585 · #35 07-04-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nenella

Camille, where do you get your CHC from please as I am would like to swap some of my catts as they are 'struggling' in my new house.. (2 yrs)

I got a big giant bag of them at the garden center since we needed to mulch some 'groseilliers'. It's extremely large pieces, so I spent some time sitting at a table with a knife, cutting the pieces in half! Works for the catt, but for other orchids I will have to cut them even smaller.
If you do get any, it needs to be very thoughly soaked. I soaked in water for 5 days, changing the water everyday. I tried to find epsom salts to add (helps leach the bad stuff out of the husks), but they're impossible to find here.

Ray · #36 07-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Kathy,

Vandas are very "rooty" and while they like a lot of food and water, they like to dry out quickly, too. In this photo, the plant is about 40" tall, and the two roots cascading to the left are about 4' longer than seen, and heavily branched. That plant is suspended from a wire in my greenhouse, with no container or medium.

KathyKayserKonig · #37 07-04-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Kathy,

Vandas are very "rooty" and while they like a lot of food and water, they like to dry out quickly, too. In this photo, the plant is about 40" tall, and the two roots cascading to the left are about 4' longer than seen, and heavily branched. That plant is suspended from a wire in my greenhouse, with no container or medium.

Ray, Thank you for the picture! It is very interesting. So Vandas do not get any nutrients from a potting medium then? Therefore, do they need extra fertilizer? If so, what kind do you recommend? How do you water something like that? Or does it come down and go back up? Do you recommend a situation like this or mounting it? Someone said they have one in a basket without potting medium. Does that mean that they take it out to water it or do they water the whole basket? So many questions! Thank you so much for your time.

camille1585 · #38 07-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyKayserKonig

Ray, Thank you for the picture! It is very interesting. So Vandas do not get any nutrients from a potting medium then? Therefore, do they need extra fertilizer? If so, what kind do you recommend? How do you water something like that? Or does it come down and go back up? Do you recommend a situation like this or mounting it? Someone said they have one in a basket without potting medium. Does that mean that they take it out to water it or do they water the whole basket? So many questions! Thank you so much for your time.

If the Vanda is in a basket, you can't take it out. The basket is just another form of support. You soak everything, basket and all. Since there is no medium then need to be watered at least once a day, depending on the conditions and time of year.
This is what a Vandacious orchid looks like in a plastic basket. Not my orchid, it's a photo from a show I went to.

KathyKayserKonig · #39 07-04-2009, 12:55 PM

When watering, what kind should I be using: rain, tap, filtered, distilled? And fertilizer?

kp53 · #40 07-04-2009, 07:38 PM

I have bought from the same vendor several times, and yes the plants are little but have been in good shape when they've arrived. I went with the same theory, I don't want to pay a lot for an orchid that may or may not die. I have lost my share both of little and big plants but that doesn't stop me. Good luck with your purchases.