Den Cathy Beck update Floers Flowers everywhere

[jerrymeola]

I think this may be the last of the updates for the hybrid growing project.

I do not see how much more can happen with these plants. But who knows?

This was the first photo right after the plants were rescued from the greenhouse collapse.



The plants were soaked in a Worm Tea, Companion and Essentials mixture. 3 oz Worm tea, 1 tsp Companion (organic fungicide) , 1 tsp Essentials (rooting hormone) per gallon. 13 plants were in spike in August.



The growth rate with the rooting hormone Essentials was very noticeable. I had shown these results before. The new rate of growth this month has been even more extreme. I photographed the same trays on Monday and was about to post this notice with the fact that 21 plants were in spike.

Then yesterday the plants went wild. 34 of the 50 control plants are now in bloom. Look closely at the front row of the left tray since May. These had no leaves and no roots. I normally would have thrown them away and they seldom would have grown. The two on the right have double spikes.

[myorchid]

WOW! they look great...I have hope for my little Cathy. She had two growths and is moving along but not as fast as I would like!

Do you have the Essentials for sale?

[chefatplay]

My Cathy has her first spike with about 10 buds on it, three just begging to open. The second spike is growing very fast, but still very tiny. I can't wait to see the flowers. Jerry, I was drooling at the blooms. Beautiful. Is Essentials anything like Superthrive?

[kid a]

WOw! WHat a great deal of awesome growth! The flowers on Cathy are just beautiful! I wish I lived in Florida so mine would grow like that!

[articuno75]

AAAahhhh looking at these make me drool, drool, drool! I want mine to bloom, bloom, bloom!!!

[solay]

They look so healthy! Good thing you didn't toss them out.

April I bought all three from Jerry already. I'm hoping for some good results too. Anything to get them to bloom. So far I've sprayed them once with the mix. Awaiting any changes and crossing my fingers I'll have more luck growing orchids now.

[snowballsarebad]

Woohoo! I'm glad these plants are vigorous. Can't wait till mine blooms, too!

[mayres]

Wow! I wish I lived in Floriday too! That climate must be ideal for these? All I can say is that I'm glad mine is still alive!

[patticake]

Here's mine today... She seems happy! Thanks, Jerry, for these great little Dens.

[articuno75]

Patti it looks fantastic! It got a bunch of new growths too.

[jerrymeola]

Ellen

It is hard to compare Superthrive to Essentials since Superthrive does not list what is in the product. I have seen vague references to superthrive containing IBC hormones, but ibc is as expensive as Essentials (gibberonic acid) and the recommended dilution of superthrive is extremely high negating the effect. Many rooting hormone compounds are only vitamin B1 or B10 and fertilizer. This combination has some effect but is minimal.

I have used Superthrive in the past and did not get the results with it that I am getting with Essentials.

It is even more noticeable when I use it on bare root Cattleya cuttings on mounts. Normally I would not expect flowers on mounts for a year of two while it acclimates to the mount. But with Essentials I have had 5 inches of new roots on a Cattleya cutting in only 5 weeks. I have had 4 bare root cuttings flower within 8 weeks of mounting.

Essentials test results

I potted 800 Cattleya plugs last month. Normally my losses are about 8%, a commercially accepted amount. New roots have filled a 2 inch pot (from one inch size at planting in only 5 weeks. Some of the plants have doubled in height. My losses have been 8 deaths in 800 plants.

[chefatplay]

Thanks for the info, Jerry. I continue to go back and forth on fertilization, I am getting results with Neutrocoat every six months. For me this is the easiest way to fertilize. Hmmmm

[jerrymeola]

Ellen

I use the commercial version of Nutracote myself. They have different purposes and uses.

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

I think this may be the last of the updates for the hybrid growing project.

I do not see how much more can happen with these plants. But who knows?

This was the first photo right after the plants were rescued from the greenhouse collapse.



The plants were soaked in a Worm Tea, Companion and Essentials mixture. 3 oz Worm tea, 1 tsp Companion (organic fungicide) , 1 tsp Essentials (rooting hormone) per gallon. 13 plants were in spike in August.



The growth rate with the rooting hormone Essentials was very noticeable. I had shown these results before. The new rate of growth this month has been even more extreme. I photographed the same trays on Monday and was about to post this notice with the fact that 21 plants were in spike.

Then yesterday the plants went wild. 34 of the 50 control plants are now in bloom. Look closely at the front row of the left tray since May. These had no leaves and no roots. I normally would have thrown them away and they seldom would have grown. The two on the right have double spikes.

Jerry if you need help looking after those plants, you could send one or two up here and I would be glad to look after them for you!!!! flowerchild aka Cindy

[FLaCo]

Thanks for the update Jerry, they look fantastic. I have to get my hands on some of that essential and some extra worm tea. Maybe grab a couple of Cathy Becks too.

[jerrymeola]

Cindy

I wish I could send orchids to Canada. The cites and heath certificates cost about $125.

I keep thinking one year I will have to get invited to a Canadian show and bring an entire shipment. That would bring the cost down to only expensive rather than prohibitive.

[chefatplay]

My Cathy Beck is in labor. The first bud is in the process of opening. The color is such a deep purple. I can't wait to get a pic of my first flower.!!!!

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

Cindy

I wish I could send orchids to Canada. The cites and heath certificates cost about $125.

I keep thinking one year I will have to get invited to a Canadian show and bring an entire shipment. That would bring the cost down to only expensive rather than prohibitive.

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That would be one expensive orchid!!!!!!(worth every penny though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)