gardening in Hawaii - Orchid Board

calwillnol · #1 11-01-2008, 01:34 AM

I can use all the ideas in growing orchids outside in Hawai'i. How much actual sun a day? How much to water? how much shade? what containers? what bedding?

They of course are all in pots.

isurus79 · #2 11-01-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi calwillnol! Its really great that we are getting more and more Hawaii based growers on the OB! From what Ive gathered from the other growers, we all seem to have different techniques, but I can tell you how I grow. I grow outside with mostly keawe trees as shade, not by choice but by circumstance. My shade lovers are under a mango tree and everyone else is taking shade under the keawe. I pot so that in Feb and March, it can rain for weeks on end and I wont have problems with rot. Basically, I pot everything in as fast a draining media as possible to avoid rainy season rot. This also means that I have to water every day during summer because no moisture is retained in most of my pots. When they leave the 2" pots, my Cattleya types are all planted in either a basket with wine corks on the bottom and large grade bark on top, or a plastic pot with slits cut down the side and the same wine cork/bark combo. My Stanhopinae are all in baskets with spagnum and all my Catasetinae are in plastic pots with slits, wine corks and spag no top to retain more moisture. I fertilize most of the year with a 20-20-20 orchid mix, 2x per month and then supplemented once per month with fish fertilizer. I should say though, that after talking to a lot of local growers, both professional and hobbyist, I think I might switch from the 20-20-20, to the H&R standard of 13-3-13 when my old stuff runs out. I also grow all my 'chids at the upper end of their light tolerances. Anyone who tells you that no orchid can stand full midday sun is dead wrong, though a slow acclimation must occur first. If you have any specific Q's about my system, feel free to ask! Just remember though, everyone's system is highly personalized and what I do may or may not work for you. Ill do my best to help in any way I can though! What types of orchids do you grow??

BTW, what island are you on?

calwillnol · #3 11-01-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

Hi calwillnol! Its really great that we are getting more and more Hawaii based growers on the OB! From what Ive gathered from the other growers, we all seem to have different techniques, but I can tell you how I grow. I grow outside with mostly keawe trees as shade, not by choice but by circumstance. My shade lovers are under a mango tree and everyone else is taking shade under the keawe. I pot so that in Feb and March, it can rain for weeks on end and I wont have problems with rot. Basically, I pot everything in as fast a draining media as possible to avoid rainy season rot. This also means that I have to water every day during summer because no moisture is retained in most of my pots. When they leave the 2" pots, my Cattleya types are all planted in either a basket with wine corks on the bottom and large grade bark on top, or a plastic pot with slits cut down the side and the same wine cork/bark combo. My Stanhopinae are all in baskets with spagnum and all my Catasetinae are in plastic pots with slits, wine corks and spag no top to retain more moisture. I fertilize most of the year with a 20-20-20 orchid mix, 2x per month and then supplemented once per month with fish fertilizer. I should say though, that after talking to a lot of local growers, both professional and hobbyist, I think I might switch from the 20-20-20, to the H&R standard of 13-3-13 when my old stuff runs out. I also grow all my 'chids at the upper end of their light tolerances. Anyone who tells you that no orchid can stand full midday sun is dead wrong, though a slow acclimation must occur first. If you have any specific Q's about my system, feel free to ask! Just remember though, everyone's system is highly personalized and what I do may or may not work for you. Ill do my best to help in any way I can though! What types of orchids do you grow??

BTW, what island are you on?

Aloha,
I live in Kaimuki (East Honolulu) on Oahu. Very hot and dry. I inherited some orchids when I moved in, but they alll died. I didn't have a clue how to care for them..so I became a big fan of succulents! Biggest cactus garden in Kaimuki (except for Kapi'olane CC) as I came from the high desert of Utah 25 years ago.

Now I was given two "Siam Jade" plants and want them to grow as well as my bushel-sized barrel cactus!!

both beautiful...just 180 degrees difference.

I printed out your response and will start in immediately.

Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!!

isurus79 · #4 11-01-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwillnol

Aloha,
I live in Kaimuki (East Honolulu) on Oahu. Very hot and dry. I inherited some orchids when I moved in, but they alll died. I didn't have a clue how to care for them..so I became a big fan of succulents! Biggest cactus garden in Kaimuki (except for Kapi'olane CC) as I came from the high desert of Utah 25 years ago.

Now I was given two "Siam Jade" plants and want them to grow as well as my bushel-sized barrel cactus!!

both beautiful...just 180 degrees difference.

I printed out your response and will start in immediately.

Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!!

Glad I could help. Hopefully the OB can promote an orchid addiction, as well as a succulent addiction!!

calwillnol · #5 11-02-2008, 01:12 AM

wow...your gallery photos are beautiful!!!

isurus79 · #6 11-02-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwillnol

wow...your gallery photos are beautiful!!!

Thanks! It helps to be growing in Hawaii!!

Sandy4453 · #7 11-02-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

My shade lovers are under a mango tree and everyone else is taking shade under the keawe.

The air must smell so sweet where you are, Steve. I think I'll try spagh/cork on my catasetum, next growng season, like you use.

sorry, didn't mean to get off subject.

calwillnol · #8 11-02-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

Glad I could help. Hopefully the OB can promote an orchid addiction, as well as a succulent addiction!!

Aloha, I didn't realize that you lived here in Hawai'i until your most recent quote. Where do you live?

I already sent a message to the administrators because the word "keiki" was not defined well in the glossary. So hopefully they will change it.

Your name is Steve? Also, what do you mean by your signature:
"Steve
Catasetums, Stanhopeas and Cattleyas?? Yes please!!!!"

From Helen in Kaimuki

isurus79 · #9 11-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwillnol

Aloha, I didn't realize that you lived here in Hawai'i until your most recent quote. Where do you live?

I already sent a message to the administrators because the word "keiki" was not defined well in the glossary. So hopefully they will change it.

Your name is Steve? Also, what do you mean by your signature:
"Steve
Catasetums, Stanhopeas and Cattleyas?? Yes please!!!!"

From Helen in Kaimuki

I actually live about half way up Pacific Heights (between the Pali and Pauoa Valley).

As for my quote, I wrote "Catasetums, Stanhopeas and Cattleyas?? Yes please!!!!" becaues those are the groups that I am most interested in and they comprise most of my collection. Are you a member of the Kaimuki Orchid Society? Ive been told that one is one of the best on the island.

isurus79 · #10 11-02-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

The air must smell so sweet where you are, Steve. I think I'll try spagh/cork on my catasetum, next growng season, like you use.

sorry, didn't mean to get off subject.

Yes the air is very nice! I have a Catt in bloom next to the Cyc, as well as Oncidium ornithorynhcum, one of Onc. Sharry Baby's fragrant grandparents I think. That end of the grow are smells GREAT!!! However, I also have a Cattleya percivaliana blooming right now and it gives most Bulbos a run for the money when it comes to stinkiness!!! Certainly not a dull moment for the nose!!