Potting my first Bulbo (pic heavy)

[sunshine]

After reading the culture for my bulbo from everyone I had everything I needed at home. I'm finally getting to use the net pot that rePot me sent as a free gift If I screwed something up somebody please let me know And away weeeeeeeee go.

My net pot.


Hydroton (LECA) on the bottom




A little bit of coco chip bark,perlite and hydroton


Now for the sphag and finished project. Now I wonder how long before my first bloom

[Daethen]

Looks like you did a great job to me. Better find that extra helping of patience for the blooms.

You did not mess up , in fact you did a wonderful job...I noticed you have the latest German invention net potting that is efficient in terms of watering and root aeration..please post pictures of it's blooms

[otis 226]

Very nice series of 'how-to' photos. Thanks, gal!
Tony

[ChryssM]

Good job !!

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by otis 226

Very nice series of 'how-to' photos. Thanks, gal!
Tony

Your welcome young man

Anky,Thanks, I got my net pot from rePot me as a free gift. The clear pot came with it and it's very sturdy and durable It was a moment when I got it. I wonder how well s/h would work in that same pot set up

Repot me.com advertises it for S/H as well...it's a very nice pot

[BGGraham1]

Very nice job, Sunshine! I was right there with you until you got to the sphag, though. That stuff scares the bejeezus outta me! I know it has its place, and I will be using it for my Neos, but for an overwaterer like me its really frightening!

[ARodney]

I hate to sound dumb, but, what the hecK is s/h?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by ARodney

I hate to sound dumb, but, what the hecK is s/h?

No, you don't sound dumb You don't know unless you ask. s/h is semi hydronic. Asking 's is part of the learning process I asked a lot of questions when I first joined this site. I'm still asking questions. That is how I learned the cultures of different orchids.

[Daethen]

Actually, it is semi-hydroponic. Partial water culture.

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by BGGraham1

Very nice job, Sunshine! I was right there with you until you got to the sphag, though. That stuff scares the bejeezus outta me! I know it has its place, and I will be using it for my Neos, but for an overwaterer like me its really frightening!

I totally agree, i have had it with 2 previous phals, and i might have given them root rot, i don't know, it was when i knew zilch about orchids, the only time i ever plan on using it would be for a VERY thirsty orchid that i mount, and even then i would use very little

Originally Posted by ARodney

I hate to sound dumb, but, what the hecK is s/h?

don't worry, here you can never sound dumb asking a question, the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, and i asked this question about 2 months ago (originally i thought it mean shade/house)

[pikkumyy]

oh and sunshine, VERY COOL and interesting thread, ive heard bulbo's were thirsty but wow, best of luck and be sure to upload photo's of any new growths/flowers/roots etc i wont mind

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Anky

I noticed you have the latest German invention net potting ...

Net pots are not a recent invention. They've been around for decades, since way before I started growing orchids (15 years ago or so).

[pikkumyy]

hi all, thanks for the link to this sunshine, seeing as how i dont have leca, could i just use bark chips? and how far up the pot does the water go?

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

hi all, thanks for the link to this sunshine, seeing as how i dont have leca, could i just use bark chips? and how far up the pot does the water go?

I personally would not use bark for a Bulbo. As wet as I keep the pots, the bark would break down way too fast.

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

hi all, thanks for the link to this sunshine, seeing as how i dont have leca, could i just use bark chips? and how far up the pot does the water go?

I don't know about the bark chips but I do know some use just sphag in a net pot or a shallow pan/pot. I have been treating this like it is s/h when adding water if that helps any. I put in enough water so that it comes just up over the bottom of the pot.

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

I personally would not use bark for a Bulbo. As wet as I keep the pots, the bark would break down way too fast.

would i be able to use styrofoam pieces then, or would they just float?

i could maybe try some small round rocks from our drive way (i would rinse them first)

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

would i be able to use styrofoam pieces then, or would they just float?

i could maybe try some small round rocks from our drive way (i would rinse them first)

I like the LECA because it wicks water up from below, and allows that water to also get to the sphag that I keep up on top of the LECA. Styrofoam I do not believe would allow that to happen, and I am unsure of whether other rocks would do that, however the rocks would provide good drainage for the bottom of the pot. I am not sure what else to tell you to use.

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

I like the LECA because it wicks water up from below, and allows that water to also get to the sphag that I keep up on top of the LECA. Styrofoam I do not believe would allow that to happen, and I am unsure of whether other rocks would do that, however the rocks would provide good drainage for the bottom of the pot. I am not sure what else to tell you to use.

thanks so much for answering, could i maybe use mostly sphag and just water it a lot, with some rocks in the bottom so that when it does get roots they could hide down there if it gets too wet?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

thanks so much for answering, could i maybe use mostly sphag and just water it a lot, with some rocks in the bottom so that when it does get roots they could hide down there if it gets too wet?

I think you would be alright potting in sphag until you could get some LECA/hyrdoton. Just keep the sphag moist. If you belong to an orchid society someone may have LECA you could buy or tell you where to get some.

[pikkumyy]

i'll try to take a picture tomorrow, its in some phag in a tiny pot..... i just hope it grows

[Mira-Claude]

I am planning on buying a bulbo in a bear future and am wondering why the coco ship? (my worse nightmare with orchids)
Can I just skip that aspect?

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

I totally agree, i have had it with 2 previous phals, and i might have given them root rot, i don't know, it was when i knew zilch about orchids, the only time i ever plan on using it would be for a VERY thirsty orchid that i mount, and even then i would use very little

or just let me edit that....
or with a bulbophyllum... i hear they are very thirsty and i am giving sphag another go