Masdevallia potting...

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I did modify it from RJ's a bit though. I just used the plastic pots they came in and cut 1/2 inch or so slits up the side and a bit into the bottom. I did not have any net pots that fit the vases I was using.

Plus, I did not add anything in the bottom of the vase other than leaving a large resevoir

BTW, my masdie's are also cool growing and I was concerned initially that the sun needed to stimulate the humidity inside would be too hot. But they are LOVING it!

So in other words your growing them semi-hydroponically?

Cheers.

Jim

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

So in other words your growing them semi-hydroponically?

Cheers.

Jim

No, semi hydroponics is something different. With vase culture there is no media, just the bare roots dangling in the vase, with the plant part out of the vase. Depending on the plant's needs, the roots are soaked daily to once a week then the vase is drained. Fertilizer is added to the water once a week.

[Paul Mc]

My method is very similar to what VandaLover stated. Except for one small detail. The plastic cheap pots they came in I have placed over the top of the vase so the bottom of the pot is inside the glass. The rim of the plastic pot completely seals the top opening of the vase. I cut huge slits in the side of the plastic so it was more like a net pot, allowing moisture in. In the net pot I used sphag and perlite mixture. Other than that, the bottom of the vase is filled with water, but it does not touch the plastic pot.

[DelawareJim]

Ah! With the way you described it, it sounded like S/H without the LECA. Sounds like an interesting experiment. Having grown pretty much everything I have in S/H during the last couple of years that's become my frame of reference.

Cheers
Jim

[Vanda lover]

Vase culture has become very popular, especially for orchids such as vandas, that like to dry out a little between watering. One of the best things about is that you need no media, and you can see what the roots are doing.

[Starla]

Im totally useless, could someone post me a link to the vase culture thread, I cant find it!!

[Masdyman]

I don't get on with sphagnum moss and use coconut husk from Ray Creeks orchids and am really happy with it and have never had better root growth.
I also use Akernes Rain mix orchid food(MSU) to the recommended dose of 1/2 gram per litre at every watering and with no flushing needed.
The feed and my growing information can be found on my website.
Regards

[Paul Mc]

Deleware Jim, actually RJ's original article about doing this with masdie's was more of an s/h method. He used LECA in the bottom of the vase, about half filled, and then stuffed the rest with live moss leaving just enough room for a net pot at the top to seal up the opening with and for the plant to sit in. It's a micro-environment.

I haven't considered using coconut husk and might have to look into that, but given my success thus far with sphag I might not change it. Of course, this is the only time I've ever had success with just pure sphag and perlite, lol... So that's subject to change possibly.

Here's your link to vase culture.

[Vanda lover]

At least the coconut husk would be easier to get here that sphagnum. I may try that next time. For some reason I find that the sphag works much better with masdies than other orchids. It seams to stay more evenly moist and it's easy to tell when the masdies need water

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Deleware Jim, actually RJ's original article about doing this with masdie's was more of an s/h method. He used LECA in the bottom of the vase, about half filled, and then stuffed the rest with live moss leaving just enough room for a net pot at the top to seal up the opening with and for the plant to sit in. It's a micro-environment.

I haven't considered using coconut husk and might have to look into that, but given my success thus far with sphag I might not change it. Of course, this is the only time I've ever had success with just pure sphag and perlite, lol... So that's subject to change possibly.

Here's your link to vase culture.

Uh! What was I thinking????? Vase culture...growing in glass vases. There's a really, really long sticky started by "telipogon" at the top of Vanda Alliance -- Others on vase culture. I'm dying to try a Vanda that way. Apparently in Europe this is about the only way you can buy Vandas any more.

For the strangest reason all I was picturing was water culture and I was thinking what the heck???. Doh!!!

Starla; here's a link for the sticky on vase culture for Vandas. Same principle, great pictures.
Vandas in Glass Vases

Something else to think about if you're worried about the sphag being too wet. The owner of Al's Orchid Greenhouse in Virginia grows almost all his Masdies in regular pots in straight LECA. He has to water more frequently but his plants look fabulous.

Cheers.
Jim