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The names “staghorn fern” and “elkhorn fern” are often used interchangeably, although those with thinner fronds are often called elkhorn ferns.......which I believe this one is.....

........Over the last 35 yrs....I just keep upgrading it into larger baskets, and used a mix of potting soil and orchid bark in it......The last basket was around 30" dia.........it was welded up from steel flat bar........mine was pushing 250lbs......so make sure its mount is strong enough....

......I prefer lava rock over Leca, but Leca, is fine to use for orchids....it can be mixed with bark or moss......Its important to realize.....Leca needs to be flushed often if its used....

.......Thanks Melissa......

Great questions......If I was just using calmag and kelp.....I would use 20ppm of calmag, and 5-6 drops of kelp in 1/2 gal water......regardless of winter or summer.... ..If your using just the Jacks like I do,... for a lower N and winter feed......I keep it around 100-125ppm.....you can go lower than that, if you like

@ Thank you. I need to make adjustments to my ppm numbers, I’ve stopped the 15-0-0 for winter. One week they get the 5-12-26, the next week they get the CalMag and seaweed. Should they need anything in between, they get plain RO water.

@@franricks1608 ....I think that sounds fine....In my 40+ orchids some are growing strong and a few are more dormant.....I feed accordingly

#6 x 1-5/8"........exterior drywall screws

Thank you my friend.....always good thoughts for you and your family.

Thank you my friend!

......great question....Keep feeding them, but cut the strength in 1/2....with cooler temps and less light they still grow but may not be growing as strong.......Everytime my orchids get water it contains nutrients.......if Im flushing them... I only add 20ppm of calmag,

@@rickl.orchidsThank you!! This helps me tremendously. Your response is so appreciated😊

@@gloriabischoff13 .........anytime, happy to help.

....Glad to hear.....Im watering/feeding ... about once a week, ....after they have been fed 3x ......then they get flushed well.....Some of the orchids that are not showing signs of active growth, are not getting fed as often and those that are growing strong are getting fed more...My mounts and baskets get water about the same....Winter watering is easy,.... once you find a routine/schedule that works for both you and the orchids... ..I use a timer and soak plants for 20min, then swap them out....it only takes a few minutes to swap out plants.....Its one of my favorite times to look the orchids over, look for issues and check out their progress... ....I love to watch the new shoots, bulbs, leaves, and spikes grow, ....the more often I feed them..... the faster and bigger they grow, .....Watching the roots crawl all over the lava rock and across the mounts is one of the wonders of orchid growing..

......thank you......please feel free to ask questions...

such very kind words........thank you so much.

Thank you my friend!

Yes.......they have flourescent lights over them......4 bulbs in each fixture, 6500k bulbs very bright lights....

I get very good sun for 9-10 hrs a day......my lights are on for about 12hrs total....

your conditions are tough Ed.....I am amazed at what success you have with low temps and low light conditions......Artificial lighting would be a must......I think the Paphs will start better root growth when the upper growth gets larger,......I keep telling myself that winter solstice is right around the corner and the conditions will get better after that.....Hang in there my friend......

........you have a very green thumb my friend, but I apppreciate the kind words......Keep up the great work.......Hope your doing well!

Thanks EJ......I smile when ever I see your comments.....

Thanks Amy.......always a treat to see you here.

......I'll keep my fingers crossed you get a beautiful bloom cluster from your Cattleya.....Paphs are easy to grow, they are usually terrestrial, and like dappled light, moist conditions......many come from limestone outcroppings and do better with a higher ph media...they are even known as "Limeys"......If you use bark or moss,... add some dolomitic lime or some oyster shell to it......if they are happy they bloom alot.... .Im inside growing for 7 months myself.......I like to spray my plants with a spray bottle........it helps with humidity, ....with keeping the leaves clean and dust free, ...and most important, helps to keep spider mites, mealy bugs, etc from getting started......over the next few months, spray them a few times a day.....they will love it.

Good morning as well.......Miami......I miss it so very much......I used to live off Brickel Bay....

Hello my friend, glad to hear its working for them.....keep up the great work......best to you and hubby!

......possibly hydration issue.....? hard to say with out seeing them.......are they getting nutrients still, calcium?

......Thank you Kathy......we are in the same club.

Thanks Nina.....always good to see you here....

Thanks Mary.....you too....

.....wow....love hearing of this type of growth....and how your doing it.......makes me think... alot of bad info out there...

@@rickl.orchids If they keep growing I keep feeding 😁

Better-gro is a fine fertilizer......if I remember correctly,......its half ammoniacal and half nitrate nitrogen.......research has shown in very warm climates......ammoniacal can be beneficial and actually help the nitrate nitrogen be absorbed better.......you were observant and saw an issue.....well done.....MSU is also a fine fertilizer, but I think it needs a better calcium to nitrogen ratio........I had vandas before and they really responded to kelp/seaweed supplements.....

@rickl.orchids Oh yes, my vandas get seaweed extract every time I feed. Thanks so much for the detailed explanation. We all learn so much from you and for that we are very grateful. 😇 Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 🌿 😇

Thank you my friend......Im behind in watching.......need to catch up.

Thanks Victor.....

Thank you my friend.

.......thank you......no extra work, actually easier......5.8 is the sweet spot for hydroponic growing.....and I have always said that......Research hasnt changed for hydroponic absorbtion ranges.....but...nutrients are being made so the ranges are not as important as they were... .I believe growers get confused with ph ranges because........you cant use soil nutrients with hydroponics.. .....But...you can use hydroponic nutrients in soil, and its works great....and you use a different ph range to go by......If you use hydroponic nutrients in soil, you use a soil ph range chart.....if you use the same nutrients in a hydroponic situation.......you use a hydroponic ph chart........Calcium is absorbable from 5.8 to 5.0....in hydroponics, but in soil its from 6.5-9.0......more important... let your ph swing up and down so they get a more varied diet and dont miss out on some macro or micro nutrients.

.......I have flourescent lights over them.....they get great light thru the windows, but not enough....

@@rickl.orchids Thanks. That gives me hope.

Thank you!

........great questions Dave.....dry air will pull moisture out.......When I water I let them sit and soak.....till the entire root mass, the media, the pot, etc is all saturated.........it stays damp for several days........then I let them stay dry for a few days.... and then I repeat......some I water more, some less.........some are new plants and dont have complete roots grown in to the pot.....they get water more often..........I have some that are more established in the pots with very good roots......They seem to not need it as often.....Look at your plants, water them if they look like they need it........you cant really water to much in lava......As for misting yes I do........it helps with humidity, it washes them off, removes dust, etc...one of the biggest benefits is it keeps mites,.. mealybugs.... etc. from starting...

I do not have one.....

Thanks Paula......I love the Encyclia .....the catasetums are going to be a great research project.....Im looking forward to getting them to grow.....We'll talk soon......

....your not alone, I can understand.......right now we are 55-60% r/h.......it will get lower as we get into winter and the heat is on more.......I use a good mist with a spray bottle or even better..... keep a container with good water and 20ppm of calmag and few drops of kelp/seaweed...., and when ever you think of it......soak a few, the wood absorbing moisture is the best way to keep humidity around mounts......I love soaking my mounts.....You almost cant soak mounts enough....

good question......yes you can add it to calmag......I only use 6-7 drops in one gallon of water.......your dose doesnt sound excessive......mold spores, etc are all over they only grow when conditions are right for them....Mushroom spores would need a source......likely came with the bark, sometimes they take a while to sprout....Ive used kelp/seaweed products for 25+ years, its great stuff......not to be confused with fish fertilizers.........also good stuff, but not the same product and not for orchids.....

.....great question James......My mounted Blue Diard is doing that.....just root growth, but nothing else.....I water it, but it gets reduced nutrients, less nitrogen..... .Winter solstice is Dec. 21.....the daylight gets longer, everyday after that........within 6-8 weeks the longer light will trigger hormones and the catts as other orchids,... will start new growths......At that point I start feeding them more and with a stronger nutrient mix.....any orchid thats showing good growth gets fed.....

@@rickl.orchids That makes perfect sense! Thanks for the guidance Rick. Have a great week, James

Thank you

Thank you......Orchids are Epyphitic .....they grow on trees, with no soil or media around them,.......the lava rock is just something to hold them in the pot till they anchor themselves.....it could be Lego's even.......they get nutrition from the water/ fertilizer you give them.....like many things ......once you understand them, they are simple to grow

@ Thank you. Can I use LECA balls?

@@TheQueensWish .......yes, they will grow in many medias......

Hello Shirley....hard to say without seeing your setup and conditions.......I too will add a little moss on new plants that are growing new roots....nothing wrong with it...depends on the type of orchid, and its water requirements......Honestly......they dont need any media at all to grow....the media is just to hold them in the pots till they anchor themselves.......They just need water and a good feed routine.......the frequency of watering is dependent on ones set up and conditions.. ..Any orchid that is repotted or expected to grow roots needs a good supply of calcium around them and "consistent" supply of food and water.. ..If I get a new orchid with decent roots, and Im going to take it from bark or moss and place it in lava rock.......after I repot it, I will water it often,... with reduced nutrients..... but more importantly, .... I"ll make sure it has calcium around it...I have taken many half dead neglected orchids and got them growing well with doing that....From rootless divisions to flask seedlings......all respond to that treatment

safe travels for you and your family.....have a great holiday!