Psychopsis Mendenhall in S/H? Charcoal? fact or fiction?

[Sun rm.N.E.]

First, a disclaimer. I do not know enough about bulbos to give specific advise. In fact, I will ask you guys to write that chapter in my book.

Some tips about water culture. Plants like Bulbo lepidum I suspend on something that does not rot, like disposable plastic forks or spoons (Deluxe model, of course) by little rubber bands or any kind of non toxic ties so it is easy to keep the water at the right level and still give the roots room to develop. I also clean up rotting material as needed and make sure that there is healthy algae growing.

I can't wait to see the results of your experiments.

Al, most orchids you transplant now probably will do better if you try to keep the temperature of the media above 65F most of the time.

[slide1475]

Hi Bird Song,

I would NOT transfer your Bulbo until you see true active growth. I dont think this is a possible way to jump-start growth. Mostly, this is because my Bulbos have been so much more sensitive about the S/H compared to all my other transfer-ees. Only one of my Bulbos kept its previous roots (even before I poisoned them):

My results with Bulbos and S/H have so far been very mixed - I have one Bulbo that just loves the S/H (the saurocephalum) and I wouldnt consider taking it out. I have two Cirrho. Lovely Elizabeth "Buckleberry" and one is really taking to the S/H, the other one is no where near as happy (weird - same original plant, same transfer date, both in very active growth at time of transfer). I have two Bulbo frostii in S/H and so far they look good, but it may be too soon to tell. My Bulbo. lilacinum has bounced back and I think is happy now (the poisoning went hard on it). I have two Bulbo cornu-cervi and one seems ok in S/H, the other I took back into a net pot and moss.

As to the poisoning, here is what I think I did: i think my Bulbos were making good transitions until I accidently contributed to a toxic layer on top of the S/H by applying a superthrive mist when I should have flushed the pots instead. I lost A LOT of the Bulbo roots from burn - but again, none of the other species were hurt at all.... My personal evidence points to the Bulbos being FAR more sensitive to my human error in S/H than other orchids.

So, the take-home point of all this is that I transitioned all my Bulbos while they were truly in active growth and putting out new roots that could adapt to the S/H. And it is my experience that they are grateful - especially if it doesnt work out since there is a chance to adapt back.

[Becky15349]

I have my psychopsis in water culture...it was a recent transition, so I can't speak to its success, but I'll keep you posted

[Bird Song Farm]

Thank you Sun Rm.N.E. and slide1475,
I'll hold off on the bulbo, I think your advice is right on.

65 F is going to be a bit dificult right now, I just may have to wait.

Thanks again, you guys are great.
AL

[Ray]

As to the question of whether to add charcoal to LECA: Don't.

One of my earliest experiments was a mix of 50/50 spongerock and charcoal (both 1/2"-3/4" in size) as a medium. The spongerock disintegrates over time, "sludging" the pot, and the charcoal is great for absorbing stuff, but terrible for releasing it, so becomes a toxic chemical dump over time.

As one of the benefits of semi-hydroponics is the elimination of the need to replace the medium, why defeat that?

At one time it looked like adding charcoal to LECA was good for paphs, but upon broader experimentation and observation, I changed my mind. Some things live perpetually on the 'net, though, so be careful what you read.

[slide1475]

Hi Ray,

Thank you, as always, for your detailed information and guidance. I love hearing the results of your experiments! Sorry for the delayed reply to your post...

[Gilda]

I have 3 Psychopsis in Sh and all are doing well. One is getting ready to open a bloom !
With SH it is very important to see new root growth /and or new growths before switching.
Good Luck !

[Ray]

I just took delivery on a bunch of these (in-spike) for resale, and plopped the one I'm keeping into an S/H pot without hesitation. So far the spike is still growing like a weed, and I see no distress after a week.

[kavanaru]

my

I have 3 Psychiopsis, and all of them them are growing in S/H (two of them since at least one year!).

As for other plants, just wait until they start producing new roots, before transferring them into S/H culture...

[Bird Song Farm]

Thanks to all for the very helpful information.

Al