I just discovered your wonderful orchid channel. I have to admit that I have never seen anyone get so excited over potting media! When I saw where you were located, I was so afraid that all of your beautiful orchids were destroyed by MIlton! I see from your response below that they survived. I hope that your greenhouse didn't suffer too much damage (and that you and your family are okay).
Great video Dave. I just started using lava rock a month ago and I love it. So far, a few cattleyas that I potted in lava rock are forming new roots. I also potted some of my dendrobiums in lava rock and so far, so good.
I enjoyed watching that especially when you mentioned that being with your orchids is spiritual. I find myself lost in them just sitting and observing for hours ✌️ As for the tree fern bark, I once visited a garden in New Zealand where orchids were mounted to live tree fern and the orchids were happy as Larry… as the canopy of the tree fern provided adequate shade 🌴
Hi Dave😌🙌I understand how hot it is😵🥵The orciata bark is expensive as heck here in Japan. You convinced me to try charcoal😃☝️And lava rock would be great, however rarely available in Japan. I can tell you that almost everyone uses sphagnum here in teracotta. The moss really dries out fast in Summer, and then it gets wet again, so usually it isn't that moist Dave for a tropical climate, so you wouldn't go watering everyday here. I grow my Phalaenopsis in sphagnum indoors because they hate the heat and need temperatures between 50 to 86℃ max to be healthy. I keep them well away from any direct Sunshine in Summer and an oscillating fan is on all the time. I water when the sphagnum is absolutely dry☝️‼️And every three months I add dolomite lime to the water to make sure the ph doesn't spike and adds magnesium and calcium. Japanese use sphagnum for their vanda falcatas and dendrobium moniliformes, but it must mounded up like a hill in the pot and orchid sits ontop and spread the roots over it like an open hand, then wrap another layer of sphagnum over the roots again. The whole ball is then inserted into a teracotta pot so it protrudes upwards like a hill. That ensures the rainwater drains away from the orchid stem and the roots can grow over the mound of sphagnum with maximum airflow😌🤲💖
Enjoyed your video, as always. My favourite media are charcoal, builders' gravel and coconut chips for moisture retention. I chop up pieces of tree fern root and add to baskets sometimes, too, especially those with catts. I stay away from sphagnum moss, since my orchids are outdoors and constantly exposed to rain. By the way, your dens are impressive. Keep the videos coming, Dave. Very informative and entertaining.🙂
Thanks for sharing your media preferences! It sounds like you have a great system for keeping your orchids happy. I appreciate your support and will keep the videos coming!
That’s Bulbo Daisy Chain. Orchiata bark is coated with dolomite too. I love it. I mix it with lava rock for my Cattleyas. Tree fern fiber is good but it’s expensive. I think it’s in between bark and moss as far as moisture retention is concerned. Funny enough, I just bought a 15lb bag of Cowboy charcoal for potting up some of my vandas.
It sounds like you've got a great mix for your plants! The combination of Orchiata bark and lava rock is definitely a winning strategy for Cattleyas. Happy potting!
Hi, I live in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and I have over 150 orchids, mainly dendrobiums, cattleyas, encyclias, brassavolas, and a few oncidiums Right now, I have them in a potting mix of bark, red lava rocks, pumice, and charcoal. I am thinking of repotting them (except oncidiums) in a potting mix of red lava rocks, charcoal, and river rocks. Do you recommend repotting them now or wait until spring? I only use terra cotta pots. Thank you
Bulbophyllum Daisy Chain or Bulbo mastersianum That's the orchid you asked about. It may not be Daisy Chain but it's one of the closely related cultivars. But you should be able to find it from there. I couldn't see it too well in that moment but I know it's something very very close.. -L
You may not have experience trying to grow orchids in the north, but any tips on having to bring in the orchids during the fall, winter, spring months into a dry home (25-30 percent humidity) due to winter temps dropping to below freezing and at times 20 below zero outside and not much sun?
tricky in the winter. You either need some sort of greenhouse or get used to living with a bunch of flower friends in your house. You may need to create an orchid room with grow lights and a humidifier if you really want to get serious about growing tropical orchids
Dave, I’ve used Orchiata for years, and it’s great. But I’ve since switched to Kiwi brand New Zealand bark. Same Pinus radiata bark as Orchiata, but less processed and no additives. Because it is not composted as Orchiata is to hold more moisture, it holds less water and dries quicker. For many growing situations it’s better for orchids like Catts that want drier zones at the roots. It’s also, unlike Orchiata, dolomite free; I like having control of what nutrition my orchids get and was never crazy about the dolomite added to Orchiata (I usually rinsed it heavily before use to rid it of the dolomite). For orchids that like things more acidic (which is most), dolomite treated bark is a poor start-the plants are annoyed enough with repotting and don’t particularily need a blast of alkalinity to boot. However the dolomite in Orchiata does wash away quickly, and is probably only heavily present for less than a year.
I really appreciate your detailed insights! It’s always helpful to hear from fellow orchid enthusiasts, and your experience with the Kiwi brand will definitely help others make informed choices.
Good video thanks. LECA is not hollow think of it like a cocoa puff but for plants 😊 lots of microscopic pores throughout each pellet also LECA is very wicking if it’s in a reservoir of water or used dry as you mentioned. Thx again
I see that you give great reviews for Tree Fern Fiber and Orchiata bark. Would it be okay to mix the two and add some charcoal? I live in Texas and I am growing them indoors.
@@DavesOrchidOasis I’m so sorry to hear that but thankful you and your family and your orchids are ok. I love watching your videos and I’m learning a lot from you on how to care for orchids.
I line my baskets with large openings with gutter guard, the product that is used to put on top of gutters to keep the gunk out. Keeps my media in the pots and easy to use. I ordered a few rolls from Amazon
That sounds like a great idea! Using gutter guard for your baskets is a clever way to keep everything in place while ensuring proper drainage. Thanks for sharing your method!
The orchid you showed in the start of the videos is a orchid of bulbophyllum genus . Don't know the specific species or genus . They are just like dendrobiums
Sphagnum moss when soaked from a dry block should not be soaked soaked. And I wring mine out like crazy once it's saturated. Like squeeze the heck out of it before using it with my plants. And that's basically the moistness you want. The main issue with that is that it will spread the water among the entire area the sphagnum is, evenly.. but you do not want to soak the moss so that it has absorbed the utmost of its mass to hold. You just want is moist. It's excellent by itself but instead of drenching it like you would any other medium, you just add enough to be evenly distributed. Ends up much more airy and very very unlikely to ever be a problem. Also don't compact it P.S. quality of sphagnum matters a whole lot. And it won't acidify like that very quickly with good quality. But the best thing to do to compensate for this in my experience,is to add a tiny bit of perlite into the moss you use. It balances that acidity. And it can last years if watered correctly and of good quality. -L
Thanks for sharing your insights on sphagnum moss! You're absolutely right about the importance of moisture levels and quality. Your tips on adding perlite are definitely helpful for anyone looking to improve their plant care routine!
I felt so validated by this. Bought a bag of lava rock last month, and have been smashing it to size in my driveway like a psycho. It’s the best!!!
Either you took my advice or, we're on the same wavelength. Bravo Dave!! Now you're cooking with fire...thank you.😊
Rock on!
I just discovered your wonderful orchid channel. I have to admit that I have never seen anyone get so excited over potting media! When I saw where you were located, I was so afraid that all of your beautiful orchids were destroyed by MIlton! I see from your response below that they survived. I hope that your greenhouse didn't suffer too much damage (and that you and your family are okay).
Great video! Definitely bulbo Daisy chain.
Great video Dave. I just started using lava rock a month ago and I love it. So far, a few cattleyas that I potted in lava rock are forming new roots. I also potted some of my dendrobiums in lava rock and so far, so good.
Awesome to hear you’re loving the lava rock! Sounds like your plants are thriving-keep it up! 🌱
Everything is beautiful, thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed watching that especially when you mentioned that being with your orchids is spiritual.
I find myself lost in them just sitting and observing for hours ✌️
As for the tree fern bark, I once visited a garden in New Zealand where orchids were mounted to live tree fern and the orchids were happy as Larry… as the canopy of the tree fern provided adequate shade 🌴
Looks like a bulbophyllum daisey chain 👍😃
Great informative videos!! 😁
What a great video, Dave! We love watching your videos. Thank you for the shoutout and God bless you! 😊
Thanks for the suggestions! Would love to see a catasetum focused video at some point. 🙏
I'm glad you found the suggestions helpful! A catasetum focused video sounds like a fantastic idea-I'll definitely consider it for the future!
Thanks again for sharing
Hi Dave😌🙌I understand how hot it is😵🥵The orciata bark is expensive as heck here in Japan. You convinced me to try charcoal😃☝️And lava rock would be great, however rarely available in Japan. I can tell you that almost everyone uses sphagnum here in teracotta. The moss really dries out fast in Summer, and then it gets wet again, so usually it isn't that moist Dave for a tropical climate, so you wouldn't go watering everyday here. I grow my Phalaenopsis in sphagnum indoors because they hate the heat and need temperatures between 50 to 86℃ max to be healthy. I keep them well away from any direct Sunshine in Summer and an oscillating fan is on all the time. I water when the sphagnum is absolutely dry☝️‼️And every three months I add dolomite lime to the water to make sure the ph doesn't spike and adds magnesium and calcium. Japanese use sphagnum for their vanda falcatas and dendrobium moniliformes, but it must mounded up like a hill in the pot and orchid sits ontop and spread the roots over it like an open hand, then wrap another layer of sphagnum over the roots again. The whole ball is then inserted into a teracotta pot so it protrudes upwards like a hill. That ensures the rainwater drains away from the orchid stem and the roots can grow over the mound of sphagnum with maximum airflow😌🤲💖
I lived in Osaka for two years! Never saw an orchid though.
Cirropetalum ? The mystery orchid you have . Related to Bulbophyllum
@@DavesOrchidOasisThey get poached so much that orchids are now rare in habitat unless you go to remote areas or have a guide who can take you.
Enjoyed your video, as always. My favourite media are charcoal, builders' gravel and coconut chips for moisture retention. I chop up pieces of tree fern root and add to baskets sometimes, too, especially those with catts. I stay away from sphagnum moss, since my orchids are outdoors and constantly exposed to rain. By the way, your dens are impressive. Keep the videos coming, Dave. Very informative and entertaining.🙂
Thanks for sharing your media preferences! It sounds like you have a great system for keeping your orchids happy. I appreciate your support and will keep the videos coming!
That’s Bulbo Daisy Chain.
Orchiata bark is coated with dolomite too. I love it. I mix it with lava rock for my Cattleyas. Tree fern fiber is good but it’s expensive. I think it’s in between bark and moss as far as moisture retention is concerned.
Funny enough, I just bought a 15lb bag of Cowboy charcoal for potting up some of my vandas.
It sounds like you've got a great mix for your plants! The combination of Orchiata bark and lava rock is definitely a winning strategy for Cattleyas. Happy potting!
Hi, I live in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and I have over 150 orchids, mainly dendrobiums, cattleyas, encyclias, brassavolas, and a few oncidiums Right now, I have them in a potting mix of bark, red lava rocks, pumice, and charcoal. I am thinking of repotting them (except oncidiums) in a potting mix of red lava rocks, charcoal, and river rocks. Do you recommend repotting them now or wait until spring? I only use terra cotta pots. Thank you
Bulbophyllum Daisy Chain or Bulbo mastersianum
That's the orchid you asked about. It may not be Daisy Chain but it's one of the closely related cultivars. But you should be able to find it from there. I couldn't see it too well in that moment but I know it's something very very close..
-L
Thanks for your input! It's always fascinating to explore the different cultivars of Bulbophyllum. They have such unique characteristics!
You may not have experience trying to grow orchids in the north, but any tips on having to bring in the orchids during the fall, winter, spring months into a dry home (25-30 percent humidity) due to winter temps dropping to below freezing and at times 20 below zero outside and not much sun?
tricky in the winter. You either need some sort of greenhouse or get used to living with a bunch of flower friends in your house. You may need to create an orchid room with grow lights and a humidifier if you really want to get serious about growing tropical orchids
Can you provide the link for the tree fern fiber you use? Love charcoal!! Use it in all my plants!
just look up "tree fern fiber" on Amazon.
Dave, I’ve used Orchiata for years, and it’s great. But I’ve since switched to Kiwi brand New Zealand bark. Same Pinus radiata bark as Orchiata, but less processed and no additives. Because it is not composted as Orchiata is to hold more moisture, it holds less water and dries quicker. For many growing situations it’s better for orchids like Catts that want drier zones at the roots.
It’s also, unlike Orchiata, dolomite free; I like having control of what nutrition my orchids get and was never crazy about the dolomite added to Orchiata (I usually rinsed it heavily before use to rid it of the dolomite). For orchids that like things more acidic (which is most), dolomite treated bark is a poor start-the plants are annoyed enough with repotting and don’t particularily need a blast of alkalinity to boot. However the dolomite in Orchiata does wash away quickly, and is probably only heavily present for less than a year.
I really appreciate your detailed insights! It’s always helpful to hear from fellow orchid enthusiasts, and your experience with the Kiwi brand will definitely help others make informed choices.
Good video thanks. LECA is not hollow think of it like a cocoa puff but for plants 😊 lots of microscopic pores throughout each pellet also LECA is very wicking if it’s in a reservoir of water or used dry as you mentioned.
Thx again
Ah, so LECA is the cocoa puff of the plant world? I’ll have to tell my plants they’re on a diet now! Thanks for the tasty comparison!
I see that you give great reviews for Tree Fern Fiber and Orchiata bark. Would it be okay to mix the two and add some charcoal? I live in Texas and I am growing them indoors.
Yes. A lot of people do it that way.
Just started using it with problem orchids. EXPENSIVE!!!
I've had problems with orchiada bark. It is much drier and requires more watering or a greenhouse situation
Hi Dave how did you and your orchids make out with Milton
I had them all under cover so they are fine. The lanai screen is shredded.
@@DavesOrchidOasis I’m so sorry to hear that but thankful you and your family and your orchids are ok. I love watching your videos and I’m learning a lot from you on how to care for orchids.
I line my baskets with large openings with gutter guard, the product that is used to put on top of gutters to keep the gunk out. Keeps my media in the pots and easy to use. I ordered a few rolls from Amazon
That sounds like a great idea! Using gutter guard for your baskets is a clever way to keep everything in place while ensuring proper drainage. Thanks for sharing your method!
Can you provide the link for the tree fern fiber you use?
Search for "New Zealand Tree Fern Fiber" on Amazon.
I believe its a bullbophyllum Daisy Chain
Do you use fire pit lava rock?
yes
How do you deal with watering your orchids when you travel? Have you thought about having an automated irrigation system?
My mother-in-law is crazy about orchids too. She helps
Can you do a video on how you water please
Thanks for the suggestion! A video on how I water my plants sounds like a fun idea. I’ll definitely consider it!
Bulbophyllum Lepidum Daisy chain hybrid.
Tree fern is also available in the Caribbean - at least on the island I am from, we have tree fern. Easy to cut into whatever size you want.
The orchid you showed in the start of the videos is a orchid of bulbophyllum genus . Don't know the specific species or genus . They are just like dendrobiums
I really appreciate your input! It’s always nice to connect with fellow orchid enthusiasts. Your insights help us all grow!
I have alot of catalleyas in clay pots but i may have to switch to wodden baskets
Bulbophyllim daisy chain?
Thanks!
i used leca combination of sphagnum moss.
Sphagnum moss when soaked from a dry block should not be soaked soaked. And I wring mine out like crazy once it's saturated. Like squeeze the heck out of it before using it with my plants. And that's basically the moistness you want.
The main issue with that is that it will spread the water among the entire area the sphagnum is, evenly.. but you do not want to soak the moss so that it has absorbed the utmost of its mass to hold. You just want is moist.
It's excellent by itself but instead of drenching it like you would any other medium, you just add enough to be evenly distributed. Ends up much more airy and very very unlikely to ever be a problem. Also don't compact it
P.S. quality of sphagnum matters a whole lot. And it won't acidify like that very quickly with good quality. But the best thing to do to compensate for this in my experience,is to add a tiny bit of perlite into the moss you use. It balances that acidity. And it can last years if watered correctly and of good quality.
-L
Thanks for sharing your insights on sphagnum moss! You're absolutely right about the importance of moisture levels and quality. Your tips on adding perlite are definitely helpful for anyone looking to improve their plant care routine!
It’s a Bulbophylum
That is a bulbophyllim
Root porn!
lololol
if you are a person like to watering your plants everyday used leca,
Using LECA is a great choice for those who love to keep their plants healthy while minimizing overwatering. It really makes a difference!