Need some advice, Orchids are dying! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Possum-Pie · #11 02-22-2018, 05:55 PM

The pots are obviously too large for the size of orchids I had based on my latest research...I'm not sure of the reason a big pot would be a problem except that perhaps it allows for a slower evaporation of moisture from the media. (I'm a science guy who has a pathological need to know "why" for everything)

The pots are 4.5" interior diameter and only one is a lattice type used for orchids. I read somewhere that it is better to leave orchids in the original clear plastic pots that they usually come in to see roots/moisture levels better, but I did NOT do that. Again, I'm curious about what biological process causes them distress if not confined in a small pot.
As for quality of bark, it seems apparent now that Miracle Grow bark is not the best. There is quite a bit of small powder/slivers. Most of my orchids that died were small to start with, 3" or less from crown to leaf top and only had 4-5 roots. They looked 'lost' in the big pots. None died quickly, in fact the one pictured above is only now in it's death throes after 13 months of slow decline.

---------- Post added at 04:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

You said in your first post that you got "larger ceramic pots." I may have missed it, but did you tell us how large these pots are? Are all of them orchid pots that have the many holes on the sides? And even knowing the size of the pots may not help us if we don't know the size of the orchids in them. So, again, pictures would be helpful.

.

Ask and ye shall receive...

Dropbox - IMG_0228.JPG
Dropbox - IMG_0229.JPG

Roberta · #12 02-22-2018, 07:36 PM

Understanding the "whys" is vital for sorting things out. Going back to fundamentals, the needs of the plant, makes it easier to find one of the many ways that will work. Phalaenopsis plants are, at their origin, epiphytes that grow on the limbs of trees in warm, humid climates (like the Philippines) So... what they need around their roots is lots humid air. The "humid" part comes from watering, and the "air" part from having a very open,free-draining medium .
If a pot is too large, it has too much medium for the number of roots, and stays too wet. Not enough air. Small particles in the mix block the holes between the large chunks. Also not enough air. So... the details of which precise pot type are not that important. What is vital is that it have excellent drainage, and be just big enough for perhaps 2 years' growth. Medium needs to permit water to easily flow through it, and then to dry out somewhat before the next watering - again, holding humid air but not free water.

Dollythehun · #13 02-22-2018, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum-Pie

Yes. There is some fineness to it, but it seems to a newbie like me that it isn't more absorbent than sphagnum moss.

Dropbox - IMG_0221.JPG
Dropbox - IMG_0222.JPG

Welcome.The fines plug up the roots. If you rinsed it first, you would be amazed at the mud that washes off.

That mix in the first picture looks like shredded pallets, not poor quality bark. (Sorry Cheri, you were too generous imho).

Listen to Roberta, and ES will chime in. They have those scientific inquiring minds you want to pick.

Possum-Pie · #14 02-22-2018, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Welcome.The fines plug up the roots. If you rinsed it first, you would be amazed at the mud that washes off.

That mix in the first picture looks like shredded pallets, not poor quality bark. (Sorry Cheri, you were too generous imho).

Listen to Roberta, and ES will chime in. They have those scientific inquiring minds you want to pick.

OK, I'm getting the not-so-subtle hints that the media I bought is...less than quality. What should I get and where? I have fallen in love with the family Orchidaceae and want to get more-if I can keep them alive!

Roberta · #15 02-22-2018, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum-Pie

OK, I'm getting the not-so-subtle hints that the media I bought is...less than quality. What should I get and where? I have fallen in love with the family Orchidaceae and want to get more-if I can keep them alive!

Where do you live? At many orchid shows you can find someone who is selling "supplies". rePotme.com has good mixes, but they are on the pricey side. For mail order, I recommend Cal West Tropical Supplies (changing name to FloriCulture, same place Orchid supplies, orchid potting mixes, spaghnum moss, neem oil, humidity trays and more) There are several other good suppliers used by various contributors to OB... closer generally leads to cheaper shipping.

Possum-Pie · #16 02-22-2018, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Where do you live? At many orchid shows you can find someone who is selling "supplies".

I live near Gettysburg, PA

Could I rinse the mix I have, add Perlite to aerate, and retry it? Most sources seem to give a wide range of things that will work, as long as they are very course.

Paphluvr · #17 02-22-2018, 08:56 PM

In post #9, is IMG0222.jpg one of the plants you're trying to grow (revive). Not to sound harsh, but what I see is a rotted plant with no roots. Rather than fight with a plant like this why not get some suitable potting mix, appropriately sized pots and a new healthy plant? Much more gratifying watching a healthy plant grow and bloom than fight with this.

Dollythehun · #18 02-22-2018, 09:00 PM

I use repotme.com but I always wait for a sale and stock up.

---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

In post #9, is IMG0222.jpg one of the plants you're trying to grow (revive). Not to sound harsh, but what I see is a rotted plant with no roots. Rather than fight with a plant like this why not get some suitable potting mix, appropriately sized pots and a new healthy plant? Much more gratifying watching a healthy plant grow and bloom than fight with this.

I agree, toss them and start over. Forgive my bluntness but it's like

Laticauda · #19 02-22-2018, 09:05 PM

I recommend calwest too! They sell fantastic mix and moss. Their pots I ordered were a little shorter than I would have preferred but that's on me, they have other sizes!
Just don't try to have Leca (maybe it was hydroton or seramis) shipped the cost for shipping could knock me over with a feather! For those, I recommend looking at your local hydroponics shop. That's where I find my size 2 perlite. The calwest mix already has perlite added so you don't have to worry about that.

Possum-Pie · #20 02-22-2018, 09:12 PM

I've always been a sucker for trying to save dying plants. I LOVE Lowes/Walmart bargain rack where I buy nearly dead things and nurse them back. Having said that, I agree that the Phalaenopsis. pictured is nearly beyond hope. I have it in course bark under a gallon bag to trap humidity. If it dies, so be it, but I never have thrown out a plant that wasn't completely dead.