Newbie with a Question

[toocrazy]

My mom and dad's neighbor has gorgeous orchids, mostly phals and dendrobiums. I went to there house to ask her how she waters, etc. but no one was home. I took a peek inside the baskets and there was no potting medium! There was a small plastic basket wired to the wood orchid basket and that was it. These things had wonderful roots and they were hanging down at least 2' from the pot. I'm in Zone 9, hot FL sun and these plants were in a screened in porch facing west with the sun blazing on them. I'm babying my plants with orchid bark, fertilizer, the right light and lots of prayers. Hers are ignored and their growing like weeds! Any thoughts on this?

[LouisW]

Welcome to the strange world of orchids. The first thing to learn is that there are many different kinds, in the ballpark of 30,000 natural species. You can find them on every continent except the antarctic, and they can be found in just about any climate. So, accordingly, there are lots of different ways to grow them. Many of the tropical species are epiphites, which means they grow on the branches of other plants where there is no soil. This is why we must use an airy bark mix to grow them instead of soil which would suffocate the roots. The ones that your neighbor had were probably Vandas or a similar orchid which are commonly grown without anything around their roots. This is how they like to grow if there is enough humidity, but it isnt how all species like to grow, so the ones you have in bark are also getting what they want. Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums are also epiphites but they are commonly grown in a pot with some sort of medium.

Hope that gives you an idea. When you buy an orchid do a little research about the specific species you have so you know how to treat it. Trust me this is only the first in a long line of surprises that these plants will give you. There are so many strange and wonderful types that you will never be bored. I guarantee it!

[orchids4me]

In areas like Florida its possible to grow orchids that way due to high humidity. Other areas around the country where we have to try and create that environment we have to use potting medias to help hold moisture to root systems and even use humidifiers in our growing spaces if we don't have greenhouses. So what works like in florida doesn't work here where I am. some areas also have pockets if micro climates. hypothetical example- say like someone can grow like that 5 miles from me, but me being 5 miles from that micro climate and my conditions are very different prevents me from being able to do the same..... So I have to make the adjustments in my growing area to mimic the culture they need. You will see on here many of us have to tweak our growing spaces to accommodate our plants.
Your lucky you may be able to grow like your neighbor does. If you get the chance to catch up with them it would be a good idea to see what their water and fert regimen is. But keep in mind types of Dens they have some may require winter rest periods where others don't .
Good luck
Emmaye

[toocrazy]

Thank you both for your response. I do plan on talking to her although while she's lived there for over a year, I have never even seen her. I would love to know exactly what she does and what kinds of orchids she has. There are 6 in all and they look so healthy and the rest of her yard looks so ignored. lol She's probably one of those who puts in in a pot and doesn't water it and it grows like crazy while we all baby ours to make sure they get everything they need plus. haha

[katrina]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

In areas like Florida its possible to grow orchids that way due to high humidity. Other areas around the country where we have to try and create that environment we have to use potting medias to help hold moisture to root systems and even use humidifiers in our growing spaces if we don't have greenhouses.

FYI - having a g/h does NOT ensure high humidity. I have a friend w/a g/h and there are times when I have a higher reading in my house than she does in her g/h.

[Brooke]

I can attest to having low humidity problems when the sun is out and where it is still too cool to run the wet wall system. When I have weather like that even the overnight humidity doesn't go above 60%.

Today I have 80% humidity because I have a 100% chance of rain today I desperately need to refill my rainwater holding tanks

Brooke