Ghost orchid. I went and did it. :D

jay · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 07:05 PM

Well, I just couldn't resist. I had a swamp stick ready to go and I have now mounted my new ghost orchid. I have two. I am going to keep one on the swamp stick and put one on wire mesh. I got the idea from this site full of information about ghost orchids. This site seems very dedicated to growing and preserving them.

Of course the swamp stick is almost a S/H version of mounting.

Wouldn't be mine if it wasn't done in some type of S/H.

GhostOrchid.info

exasperatus2002 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 09:53 PM

Good luck on the Ghost! have you used the swamp stick before on other mounts? I dont know anyone thats used it so Im hesitant on buying a few.

jay · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 10:00 PM

This is my first swamp stick. I did a couple of dry runs to see how the wet the outside would be. I was happy enough with the results to give it a go.

Thanks for the luck, I think I need all that I can get with this little one.

digitalgate · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 10:18 PM

nice setup. let hope the young one like the setting.

brookn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Jay it takes some big ones to grow the ghost in the desert!

I wish you the best of luck, if anyone can do it I have faith that you can. Good Luck!!!!

tansyflower · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 04:57 AM

OK, I'm going to risk making a complete fool of myself (as if it doesn't happen regularly...)

What's a swamp stick... and what's S/H (this one i've actually been wondering about for a while)??

klaraau01 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 07:13 AM

Good luck with your Ghost - nice set up for them too!

rcb · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 07:17 AM

Jay Good luck keep us posted.

GrowInHydro · #9 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tansyflower

OK, I'm going to risk making a complete fool of myself (as if it doesn't happen regularly...)

What's a swamp stick... and what's S/H (this one i've actually been wondering about for a while)??

S/H is the common abbreviation for Semi-Hydroponic.

SwampStick is a ceramic product developed for mounting orchids

Best of luck Jason, I'll be watching for your results!!

jay · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 11:10 AM

Tansy - The ceramic stick that the ghost is mounted on is hollow and filled with water. This way it is like the wood is always lightly damp from the water that is seeping through the ceramic.

Here is a link to better explain S/H.

S/H method explained

Plucky Purcell · #11 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 02:18 PM

I'm going to be curious to see what your long-term opinion is on the swamp stick. Hope that little ghost grows good for you!

hulaorchid · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 02:20 PM

Cool Jay! good luck! Where did you get the ghost orchid from?

jay · #13 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Jacqui - I got the ghost from Oak Hill Gardens. I actually have two of them. I still need to get the wire mesh to transplant the other. Two different growing methods that seemed to work on that site I found about ghost orchids.

I will update with their growth or demise. Here's to hoping for their growth.

Ben G · #14 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 11:20 PM

where do you get a ghost orchid

jay · #15 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 11:24 PM

Oak Hill Garden's. They looked nice, but I messed up the humidity for a little while and they did not like that. They are no longer. I will try again someday, just not now.

PhalPal · #16 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 11:41 PM

Okay, so you lost some on your first try. Live and learn! All in all, how do you like the swamp stick??? Do you think it would work well for some of the smaller Phal species???

solay · #17 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 12:00 AM

Sorry it didn't work out this time. Better luck next time.

PhalNewbie89 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 12:22 AM

What did you think about the swamp stick een with the loss?

Undergrounder · #19 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 03:17 AM

I'm sorry i didn't see this thread sooner, but ghost orchids generally can't handle being constantly moist, i've tried similar experiments at home. They're one of the few orchids that actually do need to dry out between waterings, because their specially adapted roots (which also act as leaves) need to dry out so the stomata aren't blocked and they can exchange gas with the atmosphere. It might have been that that killed the ghost, not the humidity, but both could have done it.

PhalPal · #20 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 06:27 PM

On a recent 'Geek outing to Sunset Orchids in San Diego, Fred Clarke gave us a tour of his greenhouses. He had a Ghost Orchid growing on a 2x4 near where the original pot was. It didn't like the pot so somehow it transplanted itself a foot away and is growing happily on the wood in a very humid, warm room.
He was pretty amazed and how this progressed but happy with the results none the less!

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