April 15-21 2005 mailing list messages

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From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] zygo recheck
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:50

I have kept my Zygos as they were in the cattleya house - I think I grow them a bit brighter than usual too. I just checked my records and all 3 of them flowered twice in the last year and mostly with double spikes. At the moment Z Perrenoudii Marshwood has two spikes with 5 and 6 flowers. One of my plants Z Merlin's Magic is a bit prone to blackish blotches on the leaves which I have treated with a fungicide but they don't seem to do much harm to the plant.

I guess if your plant is throwing out new shoots something must be ok. I reckon leave it to settle in the new conditions and relax. I expect some of the new growths will flower - and they move so fast that the flower spikes appear when the growth is not very far advanced so you may not have to wait much longer.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: plants for sale
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 12:15

Wilsonara Kolibri ( a pale form red and white rather than red and pink) £5-£10

I'll send them out bare root - postage at cost or you can collect from North Somerset

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Oncidium batemannium
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 12:30

I deflasked a pot of Oncidium batemannium seedlings a couple of years ago and they are now nearing flowering size. However I can find no reference to this species anywhere. Does anyone have any info on it?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Andy's Oncid.
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:00

You wrote:
I deflasked a pot of Oncidium batemannium seedlings a couple of years ago and they are now nearing flowering size. However I can find no reference to this species anywhere. Does anyone have any info on it?

Yes Andy I can supply you with some information. The scan came from 'Hawke's Bible' as I call it.

One of our members who I incidentally met a few weeks ago also now has the book and he is very delighted with it, so I am sure he will agree with the scanned item. What say you Francis???

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Oncidium batemannium
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:25

From: suzy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] plants for sale
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:55

I would like a Wilsonara Kolibri if you have any left. Or an Odontocidium
Hansueli Isler.
Let me know if in I'm in luck.

From: suzy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] zygo recheck
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 16:05

After reading the comments on zygos in cooler temps I moved my ailing
specimen to my bathroom window (south facing, shaded by net) where the
temperature drops to around 10c at night, rising to 15c during the day (at
the moment, in England). it was looking sorry for itself and hadn't
flowered last year but since moving it two new shoots are growing (no shoots
at all last year). I see that as positive. i also read somewhere that they
like good air circulation so i open the window from time to time.

Its hard to draw a conclusion really. I move my orchids around until i find
a place they like. I'm not very scientific.

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Shows
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 19:55

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] zygos
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 20:55

Jean, I have only had my plant since March 2003. Last summer I was either in hospital or restricted to a wheel chair till the end of August so there was times when the temp was high but none of my plants seem to have been affected, I do have auto vents and several fans and there was occasions when the temp was in the high 70's. The plant is really quite vigorous an is growing strongly. If it would be helpful and if you would like a picture, let me know.Ronbow

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: plants and photos
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 09:00

Chong-Yee many congratulations on doing so well with your photograph and gaining two bronze awards and one gold! You must have been thrilled! It sounds like a wonderful Show too. Jean

Andy I would like the more expensive Wilsonara Kolibri if it is still available please - if not then the smaller one would be fine. Jean

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: zygos
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 09:20

RonB thanks for the info on Zygos. When I received the mail this morning and read of your experience with Zygos, I had a look at a book I have by Alberto Fanfari. I have always found it most helpful and he too says they should be kept at intermediate temps - same as catts- he gives a temp of between 15C and 30C. I think I'll just try to keep them from becoming too cold or too hot! Just the way their owner likes to be! I won't put you to the bother of a photograph Ron as I have seen so many Zygos flourishing and in flower - elsewhere I must add - not here alas! Jean

From: dennis read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Shows
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 09:35

Ron, the only list I know is published in the Orchid Review but here are some shows I know about in the West of England.
16th April - Bristol O. S. show at Chipping Sodbury
30th April - South West O. S. show at Monkton Heathfield
7th May - Devon O. S. show at Exmouth
The last is my society show. It has a great location right on the sea front with easy parking. it is also a good show with 2 or 3 traders. Regards

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] zygo recheck
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 09:35

>Only problem is that I just noticed the other day that there are small black spots on the leaves of the oldest growth. These spots are depressed from the surface. Could this be due to water spots and then sunshine, or am I about to start the 'slow death' syndrome again?

According to Jim Durrant of McBeans Orchids, these (the black spots on leaves) happen to all Zygos, and are nothing to worry about. I don't think he mentioned any way of preventing them.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Zygos.
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 11:45

The attachment from J.N. Rentoul's 'Growing Orchids' Book Two The Cattleyas and other Epiphytes, gives a good clear piece of advice.

Yes, I do think Zygos can suffer if too hot, but then of course like us humans, being too cold and damp and we soon suffer.

phal StationeryI have a Psychopsis that is labeled:
Psychopsis Oncidium Lake View 9509033

anyone have any thoughts of what the correct name is? no such listing in
Wildcatt or RHS site.

thanks for your help
Robert J. Richter
Owner
Bob's Computer Services
28 LeClair Street
N. Reading, MA 01864
Tel: (978) 664-4380

From: Brenda Beale BB
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Paraphaelanopsis
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 18:15

Hi Roger and All
Some time ago Roger said that he had not seen any Para,s for sale, well last week I was at a show which Peter White was a trader and he had some P lubukensis for sale(spelling might be wrong) they were young plants about 6 inches high and cost £10.00 ea.of course they will take forever to grow and bloom but are worth the wait. I hav,nt forgotten your plants Roger just waiting for the weather to settle.
Brenda

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Andy's Oncid.
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 19:50

Thanks Roger and Jon for the info. on Onc batemannium. That's lots of leads to follow.

As for selling them I had 5 seedlings and now have 4 good sized young plants. I doubt if I will want all of them but I think I will wait til they flower first and then you can have first dibs on one if you want Rocky

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: zygos
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 20:20

Thanks Roger, so not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter - just how I like to be! Thanks for taking the trouble to scan that article. Jean

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: zygos again
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 08:50

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: zygos again
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 08:55

Re our present talk on Zygos. My leaves were not going black or have black spots, they simply dropped off!! Since moving them to a cooler place - so far so good, leaves are growing and staying - well at least for the preent. Jean Sorry if this message appears twice but I have several different email addresses and I don't think the other was accepted my our list. Not too sure about that.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Zygopetallum
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 09:45

I'm none the wiser to give any advise on how to grow
them, as I only have one and I have only been growing
orchids for just over a year.

However, When I first bought my Zygo, it came with one
flower spike and 4 beautiful blooms. It was kept for a
while in my living room. It didn't seem to do too well
at the begining. Then I read that they like cooler
temps. My living room is more into the intermediate to
hot range (temps go sky high in the hotter summer
days, and humidity is difficult to keep high), so I
decided to meve it to the bedroom, which is always
cooler. One of the growths started to lose its leaves,
and the other growth just stayed there looking funny.
Then, to my surprise, three new growths got started.
One of them threw an inflorescence with three buds.
They are now fat and purple, so I expect they will
open within a couple of weeks. I have just discovered
that another one of the growths, the smaller one of
the three, is now putting out what looks like another
spike!

So, in my humble opinion, the cooler intermediate
range of temperatures seems to suit them better than
the warmer ones. But then again, that might just be my
Zygo's preferences, as any two plants might be very
different in what they want.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Paraphalaenopsis labukensis
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 12:25

Thank you very much for the information regarding Paraphalaenopsis labukensis. I phoned Pete's number and spoke to his wife Janice and booked a plant. Will tell you more when I get it.

Anyhow, I hope I can 'Make your day' as it's said. I don't know what your plant looks like, or the size of it, but hope the two attachments will make you feel better.

When I get my plant I will hang it from the bottom [enlarged] opening of a clay pot.

As regards the name 'Labukensis' the plant comes from the Labuk River and Labuk Bay area of Sabah.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Correct name?
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 16:15

Calling all of our 'Aussie' friends, and maybe some of our other members who may know the answer to my questions.

1. I have a Dendrobium, what I call 'Aussie type' and the name on the label looks like: Dendrobium Emma Bliss x Ansie Starlight. It grows and blooms very well, although the blooms do not last that long. Is this typical of this type of cross?

2. Another similar plant is showing the name as: Dendrobium 'Northmead' [Ellen x Kurineai].

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Oncidium batemannium
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 16:50

"One of the most confused species complexes is O. batemannii . The group is
centred in Brazil , but species occur from Venezuela through Peru and
Argentina as well . . Their closest relatives are the Barbata, Crispum and
Waluewa groups. Most are ephiphytic but some grow in terrestrial
environments , even in swamps. In general , they grow at modest elevations.

Cultivation ; the terrestrials should not be mounted. Most grow best with
intermediate temperatures and strong light."

The group includes the well known O,varicosum , as well as O. bicolour . The
one actually illustrated as O.batemannii ( and Zelenko often illustrates a
range of different flowers all under a single species name - but not here -
seems to have smallish flowers , a bright yellow lip occupying half of the
area of the flower, and the five tepals are all mottled with a light green.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Shows
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 16:55

Ps Ron , I will, be e-mailing you direct about picture quality with the
Caplio , to avoid boring the others with slightly off message content.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchid Shows...
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 18:15

I have just seen a wonderful orchid show . One quite different from anything
I have ever seen before ; a competitive show between the Dutch trade orchid
growers. There seems to have bee two classes for most things - one class
for a bowl about 60 or maybe 75 cm dia. filled with plants of the same grex
, the other for a single plant. There were classes for various kinds of
Phalaenopsis, Oncidium multi-generics (Beallara, Colmanara, Brassidium etc )
. other classes for different cymbidums , paphs, and so on. There was even
a great display of Vandas , showing a greater ranhge of colour and shape all
together than I have seen since I went to an Asia/Pacific Orchid Congress
some years ago.

A typical entry was say 4 or 5 pots of a Miltoniopsis , which completely
filled the bowl, each with 4,5 6 or even more spikes, and since most of the
spikes ( on the examples I counted) had 6 flowers per spike this made over a
hundred flowers - and the flowers extended as a complete dome way beyond the
bowl all around. Not even The Eric Young Foundation could do this.

The impressive thing - from the point of view of orchid shows, is that these
were quite artistically arranged , well spaced, and in an exhibition hall
very well lit withy natural light ( and no yards of moss, anthuriums and
other foliage effects ). The bowls were mostly on a kind of bench at
mid-chest height, and you could get right up to them and around them.

There were many orchids very familiar to me naturally, but also several
phallys I had never seen before, a couple of Brassidiums new to me, and in
the single plants and/or in a class for mixed bowl, some very interesting
things ; half a dozen plants labelled Coelogyne confusa, but quite different
from the one I grew under that name - charming small sprays of yellow and
green flowers.

This show was ( and is ) at The Koekenhoff Gardens, which are the display
place for the Dutch bulb industry not far from Amsterdam - 32 ha. of gardens
laid out to show off what they can do in tulips, daffs, anemone, chionodoxa
etc etc.

I had in fact gone to see the tulips , and buy some for my new garden - (
about half UK price , and since I have a new empty garden I reckoned the
saving would more than pay the fare )- and pretty tremendous they were too
- I actually stayed 5 hours at the gardens - which is about twice as long as
I can manage at Chelsea Flower Show without getting bored/frazzled etc .,
and went into this one pavilion by chance, when it looked like a shower was
coming ; and then I saw these fantastic orchids.

I should add that every plant was perfect ; not a tatty leaf or a dying
flower in sight ; easy perhaps if you can choose from a few thousand plants,
but maybe the display is kept going all the time Koekenhooff is open (?)
which is from about 23rd March to 21st May ( every year) and saying "easy"
may sound belittling . I don't intend that ; I have a very great respect for
their professionalism . Even if they don't always get the names right ,
they grow superb orchids. ( Botanists always get the names right, but most
of them couldn't grow mustard and cress , never mind an orchid )..

I have never heard of a professional orchid show before - maybe its only The
Netherlands that could do one , and its only in the last very few years that
they have widened their range and improved their culture to make this sort
of thing possible. But it deserves to be better known ; in fact its worth a
journey all on its own. If you get the chance - do go and see it.

I did not have many exposures to spare on my camera - I took a c hundred or
more of the bulbs I had gonbne to see - and had forgotten to put a spare
memory card in my pocket ; but I did take one or two pictures, and will put
them up when I have been able to download .

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Francis
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 18:20

Thank you Francis. That sounds like good sense to me. With all the wonderful advice I'm getting I hope to have prize Zygos before long:) - thanks everyone - Jean

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Correct name?
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 12:20

Hi Rocky, the two Aussie dends you enquire about.
The first, should be;
Emma x Aussie Starlight = Den. Colonial Stardust

The second, should be;
Ellen x Ku-ring-gai = Den. Gai Ellen with probably
the variety being "Northmead" which is a varietal name
used by Graeme & David Banks of Hills District Orchids
in Sydney.

The parents behind your plants are not long lasters,
in the order of 4 weeks given correct conditions.
Both crosses have a strong influence of Den tetragonum
which is a very starry flower that comes from the
warmer areas of eastern Australia. It can be grown
cool but extreme care must be taken in winter. You
dont say how long your flowers last...please inform.
The one thing Aussie Natives hate is being kept too
dry during the warmer months or under watered during
the cool/cold months. If they are, then the flower
lasting time can be shortened.
Hope this helps, Roy.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Oncidium batemannium
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 14:20

Thanks for this info Geoff. I have now found a few photos of O batemannii or its synonyns. I see what he means about confusion. They are shown with very variable flowers - some say grow in shade and some strong light. One even says it has terete leaves which mine certainly do not. Anyway it will make the wait for flowers even more interesting and I hope that within the year I will be able to see for myself.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Oncidium batemannium
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 20:45

I am not sure if I have said this before , but I came across a quotation
about the whole question of species names, can't remember the words, but the
gist was that there is - or may be an almost continuous spectrum ( I think
the word was continuum) with some orchids , and we try to chop it into bits
and apply species names.

Linnean naming works very well with some things ; you never have any doubt
that you are looking at an elephant for example ; but not so well with
plants.

Some years ago I was in North Cyprus with the guy who established their
herbarium and wrote the Flora of North Cyprus ( Derek Viney) and we were in
a lane with a dense population of Ophrys. He saw only 4 species. We argued
hotly , and both enjoyed it very much.

I had the Pierre Delforge book "Orchids of Britain and Europe" - then
fairly new ( which means it was about '96 or '97) and he has 16 groups
making 142 closely related species in this genus ( across all Europe) but I
could see plants which were in between species he described and could have
been allotted to any of at least two different names. .If we must have
species - and I did not know enough to argue as I am now doing , I could see
100 species in that lane !

A hybrid swarm ? Maybe , but an alternative explanation ( as even
Philip Cribb expresses on occasion ) -is that the concept of speciation is
an artificial one which does not entirely fit what we actually see in the
real world.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Aussie Dendrobiums.
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 10:05

Thanks for putting me right on the correct names for my 'Aussie Dendrobes'. I will now sit and write a few more labels.

They do look very nice, and they have gathered some fair comments from members of our Orchid Society. Perhaps I will be able to split them if the future and give some away to other members.

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Oncidium speciation and more
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 10:50

Quite right Geoff. I also read in Rentoul's book a while back that
Dendrobium kingianum and related species in Australia also have this
characteristic. It is very interesting because this is evolution in action -
a species does not exist until it is reliably different from its neighbours
and consistent within itself. The entire orchid family is quite well known
for its ability to interbreed between species and even genera. Inability to
interbreed is one commonly used way to identify separate species but it
doesn't seem to work too well with orchids.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: For sale....
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 16:05

In perfect condition . Needs a water supply and a mains elec supply „ and
then delivers ›cold steam“ like the electronic devices „ but on a much
larger scale. Ideal for the larger greenhouse. Would do a 20 x 10 very well
„ I used it in my 25 foot house and it did quite well . I have been running
it on a timer , but it will run continuously if wanted. And of course the
timer could be replaced by a hygrostatŶ.

I did consider buying a second one, now my green house is rather larger ( it
was extended when I moved house) but opted instead for a Jaybird system
which has now been delivered.

From: P G Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dijon 2005
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 18:00

Hi All,
I just returned from my extended trip to Dijon and Europe.
Contrary to others I enjoyed Dijon very much. The exhibition
was superb. The landscaping was outstanding and the support
of the people was tremendous. Every day at any given time
it was packed. One could hardly move.
I also liked very much the numerous water features. They created
a much more humid environment than at other orchid shows.
Just to give you a small glimpse I attach 3 pictures:
The Grand Champion
The Orchid Society of Great Britain Display, and
The Fountain.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: photos
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 19:55

Lovely photos Peter. It looks as though it was a colourful exhibition. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing the photos. Jean

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Shows
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 23:15

I know, Geoff, but I came over in rather a hurry and left the latest
issue in Portugal.
Thanks
Ron

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] For sale....
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 07:25

I would be very interested Geoff. I am presently running an overhead mist
system into the path but a hydrofogger would be much better.

From: Dave Blowers/UK/Tesco
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: For sale....
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 10:20

Sorry to butt in, but I now have two different models of the Jaybird
hydrofoggers - the old XE351 and the newer Aquafog 400. Jaybird are just
the manufacturer in the US

Both theoretically do the same job - atomising 2 Gallons per hour of water
into a very small droplet size.
I have been very happy with the XE351 - had it now for about 3 years and
only had to replace a few minor parts. It produces a dense plume of fog
which fills my 12x8 when the humidity is high - very visually appealing.
I got the Aquafog 400 last autumn - it is a very different thing (complete
redesign)- it is designed to hang rather than sits on the floor, blows fog
forward rather than up and has a rotating propellor design which is totally
different to the XE351. I was initially taken aback to find it did not
produce anything like the same visual spectacle as the XE351 - doesn't look
like it is doing anything. After a few discussions with Jaybird and some
tests it appears that is just the way it works. It is supposed to be a much
more robust design.
One other complication with it is that because it is supposed to be mounted
high it cannot be gravity fed from my rainwater supplies. I gave up using
mains water for fogging as it covered the plants in scale dust after a
while. At the moment I have it sat on the floor, but need to design some
way of keeping a reservoir of rainwater up in the eaves.

The reason I bought a second was that I grow Nepenthes and need to keep
humidity up in the 70-80% range even on hot summer days. One fogger even in
a 12x8 couldn't manage. Time will tell this summer if two can (I certainly
hope so - they're not cheap)

Wish I could pick up yours as spare, Geoff, Â£125 is a bargain, but I am too
far away.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Jaybird
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:35

I have already agreed to sell it , so I a sorry that you are too late.
However Jaybird systems ( see them on the Internet) are the standard
humidifications system in USA. it seems „ I have seen them everywhere I have
been in orchid nurseries over here. They lead the water supply to the
inside of hollow blades of the fan, to be flung out centrifugally through
small jets so as to give a perfect fog „ can be very high volume so as to
fill the house ( and it is possible to inject fed or insecticide for example
, although I have not gone down that road) . They do a hygrostat version
which effectively controls the humidity to plus and minus 5 % of the
selected figure „ and that I have bought. They do a range of sizes, but I
have bought the one they recommended for my greenhouse size „ probably
second up from the smallest. It came three days after I ordered it , and the
duty paid was about 18% of the price. When I first looked at one, some years
ago , the dollar was hard , and I was put off but the soft US dollar
today made it too good to miss.

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: new greenhouse
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:05

Hello all: I have just finished erecting my new greenhouse. It is 6.5 x 10.5 ft lean-to style on the south wall of my house. I just put my hygrometer/thermometer in it and while it is hot (16C outside, 33C inside) the humidity is ZERO. I wet the brick floor which is made of interlocking brick on top of my patio which is 2x4's with 1/2" spacing about 8" off of the ground. I thought that it would be good for ventilation, but the floor will not hold any water. Does anyone have any CHEAP and LOW TECH tips on increasing the humidity? I can't move my orchids out there until I have this one figured out. I have yet to install 2 thermo openers in the 2 roof vents (they are propped up at the moment) and there is a heater and 2 fans yet to go in to control the temperature.
I really appreciate your help as always.
Sharon in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (zone 3a to be exact!!- home of the very short summer!)

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: bletillia striata
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:05

Hello,
my striata is not doing well most of the leaves have brown marks and
the edges are brown and dead. i will post a picture later when i get
my camera emptied (i have babies so its always full). i need to know
if i am doing anything wrong with the culture or if it has a chance
still.
I received this orchid about 3 months ago and when i first got it
there were 3 sets of growth from the bulb. i planted it in a clay pot
filled with sand and rich potting soil, i had kept it inside on a
window sill and it grew OK but wasn't getting enough light in my
opinion and my moms cat kept digging it up so i moved it outside.=20
temps have been above 0C and its been very rainy here(bc canada). I
dug down in a small spot to test if there were new roots or if there
was anyrot and everything seemed good, new roots and no soft spots.
if anyone can help me save my plant i would be gratefully, as this is
my first terrestrial orchid.

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: MH lights
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:05

i just got a 250w mh light set up in my basement and was wondering how
high above the plants i should mount it. i have cattleya phals
dendrobium phaphs ondonto and oncinium.
thanks
James

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: jabird
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:25

I have the same Jaybird system Jon and am very pleased with it. I bought mine from U.S.A. via the Internet and I think probably Geoff did too. You can use it continually as Geoff says or arrange it to come on and off at certain periods. I control mine manually as I didn't invest in the automatic system. If you want one then I'd jump at Geoff's as I had a tremendous shock when mine was delivered and I could only have it after I'd paid over a ridiculously high amount in tax! At least this way you avoid that! Jean

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] new greenhouse
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:00

You need something which will hold the water but allow evaporation - gravel
for example, which you can lay on a plastic sheet , or put it in gravel
trays (i.e. seed trays , but no drainage holes). Then you water the trays
and leave the water to evaporate.

The old greenhouses growing orchids in the 19th century ( and earlier part
of the 20th too ) had a staging to support the pots, and a sub-staging six
inches below it, often supporting a layer of coke, or cinders (ashes) or
gravel , which was watered daily so that the moist air rose up around the
orchids . ( all of those materials are inimical to slugs and nasties -
whereas some nice earth or peat for example would do the same moisture job
but harbour the nasties ) .

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] new greenhouse- re-zero humidity
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:20

Sharon,
Forgive me if i am suggesting the obvious but have you checked your hygrometer? In my humble experience a zero reading is rare unless the atmosphere is very cold and dry - maybe five or ten percent on a dry very warm day . . . but zero . . . ?
Maybe worth checking if the reading changes at all when the instrument is subjected to (say) the bathroom atmosphere during a shower/bath or loosely wrapped in damp tissue. Just a potentially money-saving thought! You may well have a humidity problem but a non-functional hygrometer wouldn't help. (although I imagine you'd have tried it already).

Best wishes
John Stanley
Cheshire
UK (home of the mostly cold, damp, cloudy, dull and dismal!)

From: Thomas Hillson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] new greenhouse
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:20

I have a larger greenhouse but I found a similar problem of very low
humidity various times of the year. I found that a misting system was
the easiest and cheapest way to increase the humidity. I have it
hooked up to a solenoid switch for an irrigation system, I got a my
Lowes store. I run it on a timer for 3 to 5 minutes at a time. I can
set it to run every hour, every half hour, what ever I need. I try to
monitor it and adjust the humidity as I need to. I run is less often
and for a shorter duration at night. I have lots of fans in my
greenhouse to mix the air and to mix the moist air around. During the
summer when I have the vents open I run them in a more arbitrary
method of just turning them on for 5 minutes every half hour from 8
to 8 and for 2 minutes every hour at night. I think it is something
your need to play with. You can get mist nozzles from several places.
I got mine from the following place they have good screens to keep
our any junk that might clog the misters. I also have a line filter
on my system to keep any particulate matter from getting though.

There are several mist fans you can get also. You can sometime find
them at stores like Lowes or Wal-Mart around here, I am not sure what
you have available. Do a Google search and you can see what is
available. I have one I made by using some of my mist nozzles and a
large fan. It works great in the winter, when I have my greenhouse
closed, but since mine is a larger greenhouse it is not as good in
the summer.

From: Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] new greenhouse
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 01:25

Have you considered putting a layer of gravel on the floor, to soak up the water and retain it a bit longer?

This is relatively low tech, but unless you are able to damp down every few hours in high summer, IMHO you really should consider a proper misting system (perhaps an overhead line with mist sprayers). Your orchids will thank you for this!

By the way, I find it hard to believe that the humidity is actually zero, especially after damping down. Are you sure your hygrometer is calibrated correctly?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bletilla striata.
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 08:25

Here in the U.K. we have a T.V. detective series called, 'P.D.' James. So I will label you as B.C. James.

James, I have four pots of Bletilla striata growing away at the moment. All four are different heights. All are in my cool greenhouse. My friend grows them in his garden very well. Having those very hard tubers/bulbs, and being hardy, they are difficult to kill.

Do not worry too much about the browning of the leaves. One of my plants is doing it already, and do I know why, do I hell. It does seem that other people notice this and it is quite normal.

Just sit tight, leave the plant alone and let it bloom. Maybe then, after it has bloomed and eventually the foliage dies down to go into its dormant stage that other members will offer more help regarding soil types etc. I for one can ask my friend who is very good at outdoor culture of terrestrials to throw in his five penneth.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Humidity.
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 08:30

Mornin' Sharon, so it's the humidity you are worried about. I guess most of us orchid growers used to have a hygrometer in their greenhouse..........when mine eventually went rusty I just threw the damned thing away..........never to replace it. And that was years ago. I just rely on how it feels.

Don't forget, humidity is greatest in the evening,all through the night and early morning. During the day it sometimes hardly exists, in greenhouses that is.

Ever seen beetroot in a garden at mid-day on a scorching summers day? They look very sad, leaves are very limp. Have a look at them at six in the morning.

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] new greenhouse
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 10:25

Not exactly low tech but there are fairly cheap (compared to many solutions)
ultrasonic humidifiers/fog makers which are often sold in the UK for ponds.
These convert water to cool mist which you should then blow around the
greenhouse. You will need a unit with 3-5 of the mist producing transducers.
They do need the replaceable discs replacing every few months though. I
would say get a fan in there as soon as possible as the trays Geoff suggests
could have a fan blowing over them to increase the rate of evaporation. This
will both cool the air and increase the humidity.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: B striata
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:35

James I grow mine outside all year and the leaves always go brown and die as winter approaches and then started shooting up in late April/early May and are usually in flower from June/July onwards. Good luck with yours. Jean

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: humidity
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:40

I'm not sure who asked about humidity was it Sharon? Anyway I'm just wonder
if you have a new guage whether it was set properly. I remember buying a new
one some years ago and Rocky, I think, put me right then. It needed
something to be done before it read accurately I think I had to wet it or
cool it and although that is not much use to you I'm hoping whoever it was
that helped then will spot this, remember, and reapeat the advice for you:)
My guage was reading 0 too but zoomed up to 80 once I'd set the thing
correctly. Jean

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humidity.
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:45

Hi all: You of course are correct! Something must have jolted the hygrometer because it seems to be working ok now. This greenhouse thing is very new to me and I am trying to get the bugs worked out! If the humidity falls considerably during the day, will that have a very negative impact upon the orchids? I hope to grow tomatoes and cucs in there with the 'kids, so I am a little confused about temperatures. I was wanting to put my catts(alliance and hybrids), oncidiums and alliance, and dens in the greenhouse. Normally in Calgary (which has anything but 'normal' weather) it can get to 0 in April and May at night and between 16 and 24 in the day. In June it is warmer but we get the most rain then, and in July and August lows average 12-20 and highs 18 to 30 (hot rarely!). Do you think this would be workable? I assume that the veggies would like it warmer than the 'kids, so don't really know what to do. Last year I had the tomatoes outside and they did ok but didn't make the tons of fruit I am hopping to get in the greenhouse. But I can do with less fruit if I can have happy 'kids that will bloom their hearts out for me during our very long winter.
Any help again much appreciated.
Sharon

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] humidity
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 18:25

To calibrate one of the cheap humidity meters - the round dial kind - (
tehnically a hair hygrometer) - wrap it in wet towel for two hours, then
use a small screwdriver on the adjustment screw - via a hole on the back -
to turn the needle to read 100%.

This should be done every few weeks/months. In fact , you can hardly do it
too often !. A meter which gives a false reading is worse than none - it
lulls one into a false sense of security.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Humidity.
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 18:50

I'm glad that John suggested you should check if your Hygrometer was working correctly as it did seem to me as if some reading should have been showing.

Anyhow, I do not know what type of staging/benching you have, but I find that one, or as I have, two layers of CAPILLARY MATTING sure does the job. It works a treat and looks very neat and tidy.

From: Brenda Beale BB
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Renathera imschootiana
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 21:15

I have had this plant for many years and it blooms every year, last year it threw out a spike as usual but when only 6" long this spike just turned yellow and died off. a few weeks later I noticed a new growth emerging from the top of the plant and since then another 5 have grown all from the top between the two topmost leaves, no roots on them yet so can,t cut and pot them. has any member experienced this with Renantheras?
Brenda

From: Pete Bice
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Ascocendas Care
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 22:50

Hi, I have recently been given two Ascocendas as presents. I have plenty of phaps, phals, etc. But the Ascocendas are new to me. I will never be able to maintain the humidity (80%) and temperature (22C) in the house. Has anyone any experience/advice on keeping Ascocendas or orchids in aquariums or similar ??
regards
Pete

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