New Member

[ldrhawke]

Hi,

I just got bite by the orchid bug a few months ago after my sister showed me an orchid plant I add sent her several years ago as a birthday gift thru a web Floral shop. It is doing great and blooming, and it got me hooked.

Comments and discussions on OrchidGeeks.com has been very helpful and instrumental in my initial approach to the hobby. A few photos of my start into the orchid world which I am sure will bring up some discussion.

I'm a retired environmental engineer and have numerous patents in biological processing of organic waste, so I already have some strong opinions even as a newbie to the hobby as to the part bacteria and fungi play in plant growth.

I thought many would find the architectural planters I used for S/H and display of interest. I like the modern simple cubical design. I will be planting most all of my orchids using the S/H and LECA in this type planter

Based on my experience in organic waste recycling micro-biology, I first presoaked all the LECA for several days in a dilute fish emulsion that was seeded with bacteria and fungi from the plants I purchased. From my background I believe not enough emphasis is often given to the important role of mico-biology of bacteria and fungi play in making nutrients available and protecting plants, and the negative effects treated drinking water with chloromines may have on this bacteria and fungi in retarding plant growth.

Most people do not realize the complexity of the bacteria world. There are typically millions of microorganisms and hundreds to thousands of different bacterial species in most any teaspoon of soil based on recent Los Alamos DNA studies. Not just the few bacteria species as often talked about in the plant world. The maintenance of bacteria and fungi are far more complex and important in orchids obtaining nutrients than they are given credit by most botanist.

I am happy to say the orchids I transferred a month ago have shown no visible shock from the transfer to the LECA. In part I believe the preparation of the LECA helped to avoid the root shock. The transferred plants that were in bud proceeded to bloom with no loss of flowers. Many of the transferred plants are already throwing new roots. I purchased these plants from a large orchid nursery so I can't take any credit for their beauty. I just hope they all live and thrive.

Photo DSC 5749 is a Oncidium after 1 month in LECA and planted in a Lechuza Cubico 30 German Planter designed for S/H. It has three flower spikes that were all closed before replanting.

I live in Northern Florida and seeing that the plants were grown here, I hope they well acclimated to periodic drops in temperature into the forties. Below that I will bring them all indoors.

Photo DSC 5753 shows planter insert removed and water level indicator for 1 gal of water in reservoir.

Photo DSC 5757 show Large Red Cattleya and Oncidium awaiting LECA set in 30 and 40 Cubico Planters. I purchased all these plants full size.

Photo DSC 5758 show several small glass planter from Target drilled for S/H. I have planted several small Cattleya (JEWELBOX RED) AND (YELLOW W/RED LIP)

Photo DSC 5762.2 is an Ascocenda JR24 Blue hanging on patio

Photo DSC 5763 is a small Lechuza S/H planter. Orchid has been in it a month and is throwing a new flower spike

[Irene]

absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!

[Breezy79]

Very beautiful plants. I especially like your s/h pots. Where do u get them? Oh yes and welcome to the forum.

[ldrhawke]

Thank you....there are several retail outlets for Lechuza Cubico planters. There are a number of large sizes and a smaller one called Maxicube, perfect for single orchid plants. Online Shop USA is one. IFP Indoorflowerpots.com is another.

The clear glass rectangular pots are available at Targets. Simple drill a hole, with a diamond hole drill, on one side a couple inches off the bottom to limit water level reservoir.

[Dendian]

Hello and to the forum.

You have some very nice plants there, and they sound as if they are adapting well to the SH. Keep us posted as to their progress.

[orchidlover55]

We are so happy you joined the forum you have beautiful orchids and the pots you have them in is gorgeous!! Thank you for letting us know where to buy them I am going to look into it. I wish I had the sunlight that you have. I have all artificial lighting inside and a greenhouse for the summer. Maybe one day when I find the right house I plan to move but it has to be just right for my orchids LOL

[rcb]

Welcome where in Northern Florida are you? I'm over in the panhandle.

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by rcb

Welcome where in Northern Florida are you? I'm over in the panhandle.

Oldest City in North America......St. Augustine

[ldrhawke]

A brief update.....

the Oncidium Intergeneric-Miltassia Royal Robe is now almost in full bloom. The older blooms turn a deep orange. Two photos 1) the insert pot moved onto the deck during a brief shower and 2) then other photo back in the pot.

The second set of photos is the Oncidium Flying High just starting to open it's blooms last night.

[Irene]

Beautiful!

[syndywindy]

What nice looking plants. I am very interested in those pots as I grow several orchids in S/H. Always nice to get other ideas and knowledge about bacteria and fungi. Welcome!

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

What nice looking plants. I am very interested in those pots as I grow several orchids in S/H. Always nice to get other ideas and knowledge about bacteria and fungi. Welcome!

Thanks..........I often work hard and spend a lot of time and money to be lazy. I couldn't be more thrilled or happier with the combination using the LECA media with the Lechuza planters. Obviously, it is still too early to give a 100% performance grade to the combination; but thus far I'm very impressed. The long leafs of the Oncidiums are drooping less everyday, new growth is apparent on all plants, and the flowering blooms are impressive for plants just bare root transplanted less than 30 days ago. All the different orchids are clearly thriving.

The Lechuza planters are fairly deep containers and all have a large water reservoir for their size, which combined with the water level indicator; makes it truly a simple labor free system that orchids plants seem to thrive in.

The deep container coupled with the LECA, allows you to select the right moisture level zone when planting the orchid. The bottom 3" of LECA in the container is saturated, the next 3" is very moist, and the next 3" up to the top are perfect for lower moisture well aerated root loving plants. With the large water reservoir moisture level is easy to maintain for very stable growing conditions in which the orchids can thrive. It appears I will only need to water monthly, but that will probably change as growth accelerates.

On top of the practicality of the planters, I find the simplicity of the designs very attractive. I now have 2) 30 liter and 1) 40 liter planters in the house and I'm going to order 2) more 30 liters because they add so much warmth and life to my home and it makes growing beautiful specimen orchids so easy.

One problem is that I've already used a 100 liters of LECA filling the large volume of the planters. Even if I want to keep an orchid root bound in a smaller pot, to help force blooms, I would still fill the whole planter with LECA so the plant sees the same controlled moisture conditions for the root system.

I sent my sister in Chicago a small Maxi-Cube Lechuza, some fish emulsion soaked LECA, and a bare root Yellow Phal a week before Christmas. The Phal got there in good shape and I went over planting it on iChat. She is thrilled....except for the initial fish odor for a few days.

[syndywindy]

Are these pots expensive. I would love to try one out. Do you have anything other than onc's planted in them?

[lmartiny]

Welcome. I was born in St. Augustine.

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

Are these pots expensive. I would love to try one out. Do you have anything other than onc's planted in them?

See attached........I can't wait to see the Catt bloom (the last pic is what the blooms should look like)

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Welcome. I was born in St. Augustine.

Do you have big ears? Only a local will get that joke.

[hulaorchid]

WELCOME! Looks like you got a great start!!

[patticake]

Welcome aboard! My husband and I love lighthouses, and visited the beautiful one in St. Augustine a few years ago. Sounds like you have a good start on your orchid collection!

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by patticake

Welcome aboard! My husband and I love lighthouses, and visited the beautiful one in St. Augustine a few years ago. Sounds like you have a good start on your orchid collection!

It is a beautiful lighthouse:

[lmartiny]

Originally Posted by ldrhawke

Do you have big ears? Only a local will get that joke.

Yeah, I don't get it. But then we moved to Orlando when I was a baby.

[ldrhawke]

The Oncidium Flying High is really going into full bloom. I pulled all the orchids off the deck last night and set them inside because of an early morning freeze warning. I'll probably keep them in the rest of the week based on the cold front forecast to stick around St. Augustine.

[Schlyne]

I'm glad you posted a bigger picture of this. It's neat to see how it differs from my 'stars & bars'.

[davetheorchidaddict]

Welcome from the Gulf coast and welcome to our addiction. Orchids are like potato chips - bet you cannot buy just one.

[lmartiny]

Hey Doc. Still waiting for the "big ears" explanation.

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Hey Doc. Still waiting for the "big ears" explanation.

I thought I did with this private message and your reply?

Edited
part of the Terms and Conditions on this forum are as follows

The copying and posting of private messages ( PM,s ) in the open forum is Not Permitted.

[katrina]

Welcome!! You have some very beautiful plants there!!

BTW - I'm sure Lynne and I are not the only one's super curious to know what the heck the "big ears" thing means. Curious minds want to know.

[ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Hey Doc. Still waiting for the "big ears" explanation.

In the history of St. Augustine, part of it was settled by Menorcans, from the Island of Menorca off of Spain. The original 700 that settled here in 1777 have left many local ancestors still living here and are deeply engaged in the community. One of the unique physical characteristic's of many of the local Menorcans are very large ears. If you lived here and ever attend a Menrocan Cultural Society gathering, you would immediately understand my big ear comment. The comment wasn't meant in a derogatory way....just an interesting fact and a little history.

[ldrhawke]

I took a nice night photo last night to share. I can't express how thrilled I am with how LECA and the Lechuza planters allow orchids to blend in and to warm up a room.