My Ghost orchid

[patticake]

I'll try this again...I've been having computer problems...(probably operator!)
#1 shows Ghostie out side his new jar.
#2 shows him next to a quarter- (I told you he was small!)
#3 I attached a wooden dowel to a small grapevine wreath.
#4 I put a little salamander on it so he would think he was still in Florida
#5 I can hang Ghosties' mount from the dowel.
#6 shows that the mount doesn't touch the moss/charcoal/water in the bottom.

I can easily remove the mounted stick and put it in water for a drink and then re-hang it! I hope it does o.k.-

[pikevi]

I could not get my eyes off of the salamander/spotted gecko, hehehehhe

It is such a tiny plant and I hope it does well.

I am amazed at your ingenuity. It is a wonderful setup. I am only wondering if the 'air circulation' would be adequate inside the jar.

[patticake]

When I got the plant from Oak Hill, they said Warm, humid and NO FAN!! I'm hoping that this will help. We'll see....

[sandra]

Like I said Patti, you are so brave.

Originally Posted by patticake

When I got the plant from Oak Hill, they said Warm, humid and NO FAN!!

That'll imitate Florida weather! Add stifling to the mix also. It's 7:45 a.m. here and the humidity is currently reading 97%.

I hope this is successful for you. We'd all love to see this grow. Keep posting updates.

P.S. I really like that setup!

[digitalgate]

your seedling is so small.

[Tobi]

Patti that looks great (Love the salamander effect). You are a brave young lady trying
this little guy and I am hoping that it prospers with your setup. It would be awesome if
you could get it to bloom. Knowing you and your loving care for your 'chids, I wouldn't
be surprised if the little fella does well.

[patticake]

Thanks, Sandra! I'll keep you posted.
I've visited Florida and remember the humidity well!!
I'll be going down there in August to pick up my daughter. I know that August isn't the best time to be visiting Florida but, that's when she'll be done with her internship at Disney.

[patticake]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

your seedling is so small.

I know!! I was really surprised when I opened it up!

[patlee]

Absolutely love the idea with the salamander--make that orchid think she is in Fla and you've won round one Your set-up is so clever, I really hope this does well for you. Just remember, we all love pics and that baby is soooo small that we' re all anxious to see new growth Be sure to post updates...

[patticake]

Originally Posted by Tobi

Patti that looks great (Love the salamander effect). You are a brave young lady trying
this little guy and I am hoping that it prospers with your setup. It would be awesome if
you could get it to bloom. Knowing you and your loving care for your 'chids, I wouldn't
be surprised if the little fella does well.

Thanks, Tobi- I love a challenge, but I think this one is a little over the top! I'll sure try though....

[patticake]

Originally Posted by patlee

Absolutely love the idea with the salamander--make that orchid think she is in Fla and you've won round one Your set-up is so clever, I really hope this does well for you. Just remember, we all love pics and that baby is soooo small that we' re all anxious to see new growth Be sure to post updates...

Will do, Pat! Thanks!

[Aleksa]

Oh Patty, that baby is wonderful! I wish you much luck! Pollyrrhiza is challenge!

I'm fascinated with Polyradicon lindenii... I've been trying to find source for it in Europe but without success! And nurseries from America are not sending flasks for Europe... Really, you are lucky and I admire you. My dream is to own one of those plants one day...

All the best!

[FLaCo]

With that salamander I thought you were in Florida too! lol!

It looks great...I imagined some less but you really outdid youself...that will def. keep the humidity up. Do you have a hygrometer?

[jay]

Like the Guinness guys would say . . . BRILLIANT!!

I love your container and how you set it up. You have given me inspiration to think about trying this.

[patticake]

Aleksa, I hope you can find one some day also! I know that if anyone could grow it, you could! I'm going to try my best with this little guy.

Damien, I'm glad you like my salamander! When I went to Michael's craft store to buy the container, these little guys were there at the check-out! My daughter is in Florida right now, and she talks about the salamanders all over! I couldn't resist. Also, I don't have a hygrometer...(the plants can't read it anyways)

Jay- Thanks! I'm glad you like it. If I were you, I would wait and see if this actually works, first!

[Aleksa]

Originally Posted by patticake

Aleksa, I hope you can find one some day also! I know that if anyone could grow it, you could! I'm going to try my best with this little guy.

Damien, I'm glad you like my salamander! When I went to Michael's craft store to buy the container, these little guys were there at the check-out! My daughter is in Florida right now, and she talks about the salamanders all over! I couldn't resist. Also, I don't have a hygrometer...(the plants can't read it anyways)

Jay- Thanks! I'm glad you like it. If I were you, I would wait and see if this actually works, first!

My advice would be to cover that jar with something. Humidity would be higher, and that little guy loves it!

[patticake]

Thanks, Aleksa! I thought of that and put a clear plastic disc over the grapevine wreath. I figured that it would make it more humid, but the air can still get in and out through the cracks in the branches. I knew I needed to up the humidity, because this little guy was drying out too fast! It's better now.

[Aleksa]

Originally Posted by patticake

Thanks, Aleksa! I thought of that and put a clear plastic disc over the grapevine wreath. I figured that it would make it more humid, but the air can still get in and out through the cracks in the branches. I knew I needed to up the humidity, because this little guy was drying out too fast! It's better now.

Yes, that's the good idea! I keep you fingers crossed!

[solay]

Another teeny tiny orchid. I love little orchids. They are just too cute. I hope it does well Patti. I can't wait to see it bloom. Just think, if this works out for you, we'll all have to copy you. Salamander included. Ha! Ha! Ha! Good Luck!

[articuno75]

Patti~ Your setup is brilliant! If you can find a top for it, it should have just enough air getting in and out for circulation and it will build up the right amount of humidity. I got a hydrometer that also reads temp at Wal-mart for like $6. Might be a valuable tool for this little gem.

What kind of light are you going to give it and what action plan do you have to prepare for battling mold issues? (The biggest problem with trying to raise these boogers )

Oh and I love the lizard effect. did you give it a name? LoL

[orchid_girl]

He is so tiny!!! I don't think I could deal with one that small. I hope you have great luck with it . BTW I love the lizard too!!

[Jirel]

One of the subberbs down here has a "Gekko Festival" every year.

You're baby looks great! Healthy and happy. I agree, you probably can't get too humid for it.

[evagentry]

That is a very small orchid!It's a good thing you have steady hands, good luck,

[patticake]

Thanks all, for the encouragement! I need it!

Jenny- Maybe I'll look into a hygrometer... I usually don't get into gadgets...I just let the plant tell me what it wants. We'll see...
I'm growing it right now, with a desk-lamp that's got a wide spectrum compact florescent bulb in it. It's pointed at the plant from the side. I'll see what happens. I haven't thought about mold.. yet. Any suggestions when I encounter it?


I told my daughter that we had to name the salamander, so she suggested Sally... K, ...works for me!

I've already informed my mom that when we go away in August, She's going to have Ghostie as a house guest!

I have a friend coming over to take care of my chids and kitties, but she's only coming once a day.

Ghostie likes to come out for a "dunk" a couple times a day! She'll take good care of him....

[butt0n]

I finally got around to researching this orchid a bit and its pretty interesting...are they that difficult to care for?

[patticake]

As long as they have all their needs met, they'll do fine. It's the challenge of meeting those needs that is difficult. I'll keep trying...

[articuno75]

I haven't thought about mold.. yet. Any suggestions when I encounter it?

Maybe a Physan or Cinnamon wash of the enviroment every now and then?

[kid a]

Its so tiny and cute! I can't wait to see the pictures as it grows! And the little jar looks great, very crafty!

[patticake]

Thanks, Jenny... I like the idea of the cinnamon wash. I'm not one for a lot of chemicals, unless really needed. I can give the house a "bath" as needed and replace the charcoal and moss. He's looking good, still. There's hope...

Thanks Kortney- I'm hoping it will grow too! I'll keep you posted.

[arleneg]

Patti,

I just love the set-up! Genius! Little did you know, you've given me a solution to a problem! I have a couple 5" glass candle holders (a square and a round) and have been trying to figure out how to hang/display one of my mounted minis in it. Well, now I got the answer. I hope you won't mind if I set up something similar.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[patticake]

Originally Posted by arleneg

Patti,

I just love the set-up! Genius! Little did you know, you've given me a solution to a problem! I have a couple 5" glass candle holders (a square and a round) and have been trying to figure out how to hang/display one of my mounted minis in it. Well, now I got the answer. I hope you won't mind if I set up something similar.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Arlene,
Mind? No! I would be flattered! I was just going to use the stick by itself, but saw the grapevine wreath and figured that it would look a little more natural. You could use anything, really. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

[iandaniel]

That is a beautiful Phal I love the color very unique.

[patticake]

Thanks, but I'm a little confused.....

[solay]

Same here Patti. Then again that's nothing new with me. Hee! Hee! Hee!

[BillC]

Hi Patti, the salamander is wonderful, (sorry, I am more taken with it than the plant), the colouration of the spots is excellent. It is a close relative of frogs and toads but much more handsome. I hope he/she thrives along with P.lindenii. It should an enjoyable experience for you.

Bill

[Michelle]

While you are in FL, you should do the Fakahatchee swamp walk (in the everglades, about a 4 hr. trip from Orlando, maybe less) to hunt down the "real thing" in its natural habitat. I guess it's pretty rare to find one, but why not give it a shot? Now sure when they do the tours, but I'm sure a Google search could answer that question fairly easily. Good luck w/ your Casper!

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by patticake

Thanks, Jenny... I like the idea of the cinnamon wash. I'm not one for a lot of chemicals, unless really needed. I can give the house a "bath" as needed and replace the charcoal and moss. He's looking good, still. There's hope...

Thanks Kortney- I'm hoping it will grow too! I'll keep you posted.

Patti, just imagine the thing as a fish tank. Take out the stick with the ghost and just wash the glass with soap and water. Dry it and sprinkle some cinnamon and add new charcoal. Nothing beats soap and water.

[exasperatus2002]

You have given me the courage to try one someday if this works out for you. keep us updated.

[clarita]

Please be careful with cinnamon, especially with a young ghost orchid. I've grown ghosts and chilo's for many years. Cinnamon inhibits growth. If there is a need to apply an anti-fungal due to mold, increase the light and the air slightly (I understand what OHG says about air) They tend to grow best at ~2000 fc's. I prefer no "spag pad" and a piece of tree fern in vase culture. I soak the tree fern from the back, water every other day

[patticake]

OOOO! Clara, I'm hoping that maybe you can shed some light on where I go next-(assuming there IS a next!) So far all is well. I take him out for a dunk & soak a couple times a day, and then hang him back in his home. He's doing good so far, I just don't know what to do when he gets bigger.....

[clarita]

Patii happy to tell you what I know. what are your conditions?
a couple of times a day watering may be too much. They will rot very quickly if over watered.

I water every other day or so. Mine is mounted on a thick flat piece of tree fern, no spag pad. I find the spag pad is a rot mechanism. I will soak the tree fern face up from time to time. (The ghost doesn't touch the water)

[Stitz]

re: the use of cinnamon, Clara wrote "Please be careful with cinnamon, especially with a young ghost orchid. I've grown ghosts and chilo's for many years. Cinnamon inhibits growth."

Anyone have opinions regarding the use of cinnamon on other more commonly grown orchids such as Cattleya or Phalaenopsis, mature size?

--Stitz--

[kid a]

Most of use cinnamon for a few different things. Use the search tool and llook up the threads, there will be a bunch, Brookn's recipe is one that alot of us use, also to seal cuts too. It dries things up a bit but also works against most pests as well.

[Stitz]

kortney,

Thank you very much for your guidance. I proceeded as you suggested.

I found a post by our Super Moderator, jerrymeola:
"cinnamom is a natural fungicide. It has the advantage of being safe for children and pets and even smells good. It can not do any harm to a plant."

Advice was what I was seeking; that's what I found!

--Stitz--

[Brooke]

Patti how about an update on your ghost - is it still doing great? I guess Oak Hill is having a special this month on chilos if anyone else is interested in growing roots that flower :>)

I love cinnamon as an all natural fungicide. I've used it for years when growing plants from seed and if one develops damp off - a small sprinkle of cinnamon will save it.

Brooke

[Aleksa]

Honestly, I've used cinnamon a lot but really, I haven't noticed any changes... It doesn't work for me...

Yes patty, how is your ghost doing? What do you think, we could organise one on-line spiritual ghost invoking, so that your ghost can grow better?

[patticake]

He's still hanging in there! Has grown a little. At least he hasn't died!

[kmarch]

Looks good so far!

[jay]

From what I understand, if it is growing at all then you are doing something right!

Congrats, and please keep us updated. I think you have inspired me to try one in the fall.

[kid a]

Yay! Good job Patti! Looks like it doing great!

[patticake]

Thanks! At first I was concerned about where I would grow it when it became too large.....I don't think I need to worry for a looooong time.

[clarita]

Super Patti! She looks Happy!

Clara

[myorchid]

Awesome, Patti!!! I thought they were Hard to grow ! Not for you! Congrats on the growth!

[exasperatus2002]

I sometimes wonder about this orchid. is it because it has no leaves and this erie white man like flower apears from no where or is it because they're notoriously difficult to keep alive that made them be named ghost orchid? Congrats Patticake, your doing great.

[patticake]

Thanks, everyone. I think it's because the roots blend in with the tree trunks that they grow on, and having no leaves, the blooms kind of look like little ghosts hanging in the air. We don't have to worry about that here for quite some time, though!

[arleneg]

Patti, you're doing something right!

[patticake]

Originally Posted by arleneg

Patti, you're doing something right!

Arlene, aren't you the one that won an AOS award for yours?

[solay]

Patti it looks nice and green. That's a good thing in my book. I hope it keeps growing and bloom for you.
Exasperatus2002, both reasons for the name makes sense to me. LOL!!!

[arleneg]

Originally Posted by patticake

Arlene, aren't you the one that won an AOS award for yours?

Yes, my Chiloschista. Is yours a Chilo. or a Polyrhizza(sp?)?

By the way, I couldn't resist Oak Hill's ghost orchid special. So I bought 3 more Chilos. I get them this week.

[patticake]

Originally Posted by arleneg

Yes, my Chiloschista. Is yours a Chilo. or a Polyrhizza(sp?)?

By the way, I couldn't resist Oak Hill's ghost orchid special. So I bought 3 more Chilos. I get them this week.

Mine is a Polyrrhiza lindenii- I got it from Oak Hill also. What's the difference between the two? Do you have a picture of yours? How do you grow yours?
Sorry about all the questions, I figured if you had one so nice, you must know what you're doing!! I'm just kind of winging it here!

[Jirel]

I thought I saw nice fat little roots, looks great to me! Congradulations!

[articuno75]

Patti !!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!





I think I'm going to steal your set up and give it a go!!!

[patticake]

I am doing one thing differently than when I first set it up. I put saran wrap over the whole top. It wasn't keeping it humid enough, otherwise. I have a desk lamp with a wide spectrum compact fluorescent bulb in it, aimed at the side about a foot away from the glass. I take the stick out and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes in a cup of distilled water once in the morning, and once in the evening. The light is set on a timer for 16 hrs. on, and 8 hours off, at this point.

[digitalgate]

has it grow any new roots yet? Consider it stabilized, if it grow new roots.

[sandra]

Well, looky here....outstanding Patti!

This is getting very exciting now!

[patticake]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

has it grow any new roots yet? Consider it stabilized, if it grow new roots.

I don't think there are any new ones, yet. I think the ones that are there are a little bigger. I sure wish there were some new ones.....

[articuno75]

I put saran wrap over the whole top.

So it's getting no air at all now? Patti,,,, I need pics!

[arleneg]

Originally Posted by patticake

Mine is a Polyrrhiza lindenii- I got it from Oak Hill also. What's the difference between the two? Do you have a picture of yours? How do you grow yours?
Sorry about all the questions, I figured if you had one so nice, you must know what you're doing!! I'm just kind of winging it here!

The difference that I know of is where each one originated from and the culture. Polyrrhiza is a native of Florida and like it more humid. Chiloschista is from Asia, likes low-med light and can be grow in a less humid environment (that is, compared to the Polyrrhiza).

I grow my Chilo under fluorescent lights and water once a day, mist whenever i think of it, and grow it in my orchid room where humidity ranges from 30% - 55%.

Oh, I also read somewhere that Chilos are easier to grow than Polyrs.

[martinvermillion]

I have one that is almost the same size pretty sure the second I saw it the odds were slime at best. Been about three day's.New to group will post some pics,also covered mine with saran wrap.Your's is beautiful!!!!!!!!! Let me know how it goes.-Martin

[martinvermillion]

I got one but it arrived in poor shape or was sold that way not sure yet.Hope to save the little guy anyway!!Do you have any new pics. ?

[FLaCo]

Patti is out of town...I can't wait until she puts up some pics.

[kmarch]

I notice you have 2 almost-identical threads on the ghost orchid so I've taken the liberty of combining them into one fascinating thread! I'm so excited that you're growing this unusual plant and sharing your progress with all of us!

[girishgkulkarni]

Patti? any updates?

[patticake]

I posted somewhere else a while ago, but ghostie "bit the dust" several months ago. Trying to grow something that lives in warm Florida swamps, up here in the frozen tundra, was really crazy on my part! I may try again when I have a better set-up and conditions.

[digitalgate]

Did you apply fungicides ? Most orchids dead because of that