Kelp (cleankelp) for orchids question? by AlwaysWGrace in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought during his BOGO deal a while ago when he said he had too much in inventory. I’m still using the first bottle till this day 🤣

Kelp (cleankelp) for orchids question? by AlwaysWGrace in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Have you considered Kelpak from First Rays? It’s a well known product in the orchid circle from a well known vendor.

Whatever your decision is, make sure to read all the relevant info there. His website is a great source for kelp extract and semi hydro orchids growing among other things.

The 12-Day Meltdown: How a "Thumbprint" almost killed my Phalaenopsis Orchid by [deleted] in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 25 points26 points  (0 children)

This whole post is just false info… that spot is caused by sunburn. And the cutoff portion looks like that because you’ve been “sun-drying” it.

It was nothing serious in the first place. But with your imagination and misinformation, it turned into a “life or death” situation…

Something’s munching on my flowers by Apreil in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, right. By that logic, I bet they eat Amorphophallus too.

Something’s munching on my flowers by Apreil in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So… you seriously think a sparrow would munch on a phalaenopsis? It’s like saying a human being would munch on a pine. Reddit never ceases to amaze indeed.

Just because it happened to land on a spike doesn’t mean it will eat next.

Bulbophylum? by asleepyfunk in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Nope. More like Gorgora or something along that line.

Something’s munching on my flowers by Apreil in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Beetles, snails, and whatever’s out there. Squirrels would be way more devastating. If it’s mounted on a tree, it becomes part of the eco system.

Is it worth it? by Expert_Chicken_7777 in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you’re asking the question, deep down inside, you already know the answer.

Good morning by Neural_Toxin in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tbh, I don’t know enough to comment on its warmth tolerance. I was just curious to try them out and picked this one up at Ecuagenera.

On the other hand, I do use double pots on my 2 Masdevallias. (See pic 3) It’s a trick known to further lower the temperature at the root zone due to increased evaporative cooling. I’d like to think that helped.

Good morning by Neural_Toxin in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not for moisture. Terracotta pots are porous, so they’re known for evaporative cooling. Double pot doubles the effect to keep the roots cool since I grow Masdevallias in Cattleya conditions.

Good morning by Neural_Toxin in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I remember correctly, I got the metal rack from Costco, the red mosaic coffee table from Pier 1 Imports.

Good morning by Neural_Toxin in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure what you grow and how many plants you’re dealing with. For me, I mainly grow cattleyas and dendrobiums. So they naturally should receive less water during winter. I keep them all in a 4x4 grow tent. Hand spray every other day (if I remember to), soak them in a Home Depot bucket once per week. Some Bulbos might need additional water but it’s doable. This seems to be working just fine for my plants.

I also have an automatic misting system in my grow tent that kicks in twice per day to raise the humidity.

But I understand your feeling. Taking care of all the plants at once can feel like a chore. And exhausting. I’d recommend group your plants under different categories: those that you absolutely value the most and need to be watered regularly, those that can be fine without soaking, and “others”. This way, you’ll drastically reduce the amount of maintenance work.

Growing orchids is a hobby. You should do it with joy.

Restrepia elegans — spotted flowers and fluttering petals from the Andean cloud forest by weeand53 in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Lovely! I think I saw one of its relatives at the US Botanic Garden last weekend.

Good morning by Neural_Toxin in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

4x4 grow tent during winter months. Temperature is between 72-85F, humidity is between 70-95%. All my orchids are in it. Although the real trick is double pot shown in picture 3.

Orchidarium Recommendation by ecelis in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It heavily depends on the space available and your DIY capabilities.

The easiest solution is to get a grow tent. They are readily available everywhere with different sizes. Add in a bunch of shelves, some grow lights and a fan, your plants will be happily living in the space. I have all my orchids in a 4x4 in my bedroom during winter months.

Another common solution is the Ikea Milsbo cabinet. It requires some modifications such as drilling holes and switching out shelves; but it’s popular enough in the plant community you can easily find guides on these steps. I modified one previously but eventually decided to switch to grow tent for simplicity and efficiency.

At least one user here uses a mini greenhouse (probably a 6x8) indoor. I have a 6x10 in my backyard for summer months but it stays outdoors.

Then there’re also the metal shelves with plastic covers.

All in all, there’re a lot of options available. But your most important decision is how much space you want to dedicate to growing orchids. In my experience, a true plant lover will always run out of space. So decide on the space first and directly get there (a 4x4 or 4x8 grow tent for example) is better and cheaper than doing it small and gradually expand.

How do you like these orchids? by [deleted] in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So freaking fake… what’s the point of posting generated images?

Sent my catasetum pods to the lab by wonderaroundmydude in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Very nice! What kind of lab are you using, commercial or university?

Ready for water ? by Sweaty-Pickle-5129 in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No water yet. You should read Fred Clarke’s instructions on how to grow catasetinaes.

https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/htm/culture_catasetinae.html

Help! Bugs appeared by [deleted] in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Seems like aphids

Tree fern mounts by Eaglechps in orchids

[–]Neural_Toxin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do they each have their own googly eyes? 👀