In Hawaii we call it (garden) cinder. It comes in two colors - black & redish. Black is more desirable for orchids because it contains nutrients whereas nutrients have been leached from the red. Wood chips and cinder are probably the most popular orchid medium here. It's certainly true in the nurseries.
Rick L., this is my second time visiting this lesson. Your talk is enlightening throughout, especially concerning why orchids need to be anchored and stabilized...I'd say just like the very young human species. Again, your hands-on demonstration and lecture style (the more wet-dry cycles, the faster the orchid grows), the more is delivered on the higher end of the mastery scale. Thank you very much. Date: May 12, 2018
Same to me Rich I plant all of my oncidium and Phalaenopsis in house, bark chips is a big issue to me since it’s broken down so fast. After watching your clips, I decided change all of my orchid media to lava rock, now it’s working well to me, I’m kind of person, always water my plants lol, thanks a lot.
Great video. I think that lava rock costs next to nothing and is economical because it can be reused after sterilization. Less waste over time too. 60% of my collection is in a lava rock/river rock mix. I find that roots love to cling to it. Perfect for most cattleyas, phrags, and most potted Vanda types. My only consideration with lava rock is that you have to maybe use a pot that is one size larger than if using a more pliable medium like bark or sponge rock, The roots will grow quite fast and will become pot bound in no time. Lava rock also absorbs quite a bit of salts and so a soak in plain water is advisable at regular intervals. Lava rock is not so great for Bulbophyllums and dendrobiums in my experience. Some of my paphs and phals are in lava rock too but mixed in with some sponge rock or Sphagnum moss. Oh and that foamy thing that your phal was growing in was probably rockwool. Mine has one too along with the bark it came in. Not doing any harm so it will wait till spring for a repotting. Rockwool too is a good inert orchid medium but you have to avoid generating any dust.
Thanks for this, When I first started this, I had no idea that I would lose the roots. Now I am getting roots, I feel so much better. Still have to get cal-mag, but I am still in the game. I see the roots are growing. Yoo hoo!
......seeing you today brought a smile to my face that i wont shake all day!......your doing wonderful......and developing your growing style.....its paying off.......keep us updated....so thankful to him today for this!
Rick L., Okay, I had not seen this video until tonight, and it is a good one. Thank you for touching on the growing cycles of orchids and the different media types for different results. Again, what is common sense from your growing expereience is big news to me. Another thing that just occurred to me is how you teach specific points so much like my father used to teach me about keeping our yard manicured and our garden free of weeds. EUREKA! That is a big reason why I enjoy your videos so much! Thank you, Rick L.! Thank you! Date: April 1, 2018
I do use lava rocks with charcoal. I noticed that lava rocks are much better and I am not using to much potting mix. Here in Miami the temps are high and I have to water more often, most of my orchids are mounted and my cedarwood baskets, so they dried faster. I like Rick's videos, his knowledge and orchids. Thank you
Loving river rock and gravels...because that is what I had...want to try lava next...also I must have missed your drilling into pots...Got to find that vid...
See you for the first time. Great advice. I live in The Netherlands 🇳🇱 . Big changes in seasons, although climate change is messing up. Currently reviving my orchids. Although I don’t over water them. Their roots have gone bad. So i’ll mix the new soil with lava rocks. I love rocks anyway.
Wow, I really like it the way how you grow it with lava rock it is good too but I break them some if they are a big peace to and thank you for your share 💕
Hi Rick, Absolutely Love the color's on that phalaenopsis. Praying that all is going well with you and your wife. Prayers, Hugs and Love from Michigan Roxanne
Very interesting video, thanks Rick. Videos like this make us growers think and that’s important for success. We all want to grow beautiful orchids and we need to adapt according to our environments! I think what I would like simplified, if I may ask, is this: if my plant has no roots, I want to grow roots...how best can I do this as quickly as possible? If my orchid is big and beautiful but it’s not flowering, how can I MAKE it flower? How can I tell what nutrients to give and when? Should I alternate PH levels weekly? Bi weekly? I know it depends on other factors but ultimately.....How can I control what my plant does? These questions assume we have good water quality, the means to test the water plus humidity and lighting sorted of course as that is obviously a factor...
Thank you for the videos, I know it's an older one but I am going thru your channel and learning as much as I can about orchids. I have a very old neglected collection here in Melbourne Florida and they are in desperate need of TLC!
…….ask any questions you desire......If I had inherited a older neglected collection...….the 1st thing I would do would be top dress them with garden lime and start them on some low nutrients. ….including calmag....As they start growing better roots and responding.....increase the feed as needed …...Good Luck
Thanks Rick for all your advises on this. Southern CA is too dry in the summer and most of the time for mounting method on orchids. I sure like yours though. Happy growing!
It all makes sense, we have used pebbles on trays to help with humidity for years. We all know when you turn a rock over in the garden, it will be damp under it. Actually, almost all rock absorbs some water. Depending on the rock, some can be very absorbent for example pumice (most pale colored but there is some black) is the most absorbent rock known at 50% or more porosity - some up to 90%. But if you drop them in a bucket they will eventually sink once in they get enough water in them. Because of its permeability, it can hold fertilizer solution and keep a nutrient rich environment for plants. Now I believe what we call Lava rock (the red stuff) is actually Scoria, still a volcanic rock but not as porous as pumice. I think, depending on where it is mined, is why some floats. To us lay people, it’s all lava rock, but not to a geologist. I like the small-med black tumbled. Some fireplace/wood-stove stores carry the black and a dark brown and even a grey. Sedimentary stones like sandstone is another high porosity stone...up to 30%. Limestone and travertine can be up to 31% porosity. Shale can be up to 10%, Slate 5%. Granite is up to 1.5%. If you have a granite countertop and it needs to be sealed - you will see it darken where water gets on it. Same with marble (up to 2%). It is why you have to keep them sealed to keep water, acid like vinegar, lemon juice and oils out - because they absorb them right in. Permeability, absorption, and porosity are closely linked but not quite the same so forgive me if I used one or the other interchangeably. Brick or broken clay pot pieces will hold moisture and even some minerals and gemstones can absorb moisture. Just think if we could afford to pot our orchids in gemstones like opals, or turquoise or pearls. Well, at the cost of some of the media we are offered today - we might could. It’s why I love Rick’s success with lava and river stones and as he tells us...it is just a tool. I have seen hydroponically grown tomatoes growing in a tiny little area in rock-wool like Groban’s with this huge tall plant full of tomatoes. It is amazing, but yet not really...they are pushing nutrients, oxygen, water on them all the time - can’t help but produce. Same with lettuce and others. The amazing thing is knowing what you are doing like Rick. We are so blessed to have him to share this information with us. In fact, Rick, when you can - talk to us some more about nutrients, fertilizers, supplements whatever - the hows, whys and hows. You know Rick, we think of rocks as just blobs but they do have good mineral properties. Think about rock powders - I have had great luck with them in my garden along with greensand which is marine based - but talk about a difference in taste and growth. Just remineralized the soil. The rock powders/dust are just crushed fine rocks. Like bone meal - I always use with iris, all bulbs, tomatoes, etc. and it makes a difference and is a good source of calcium. I have been thinking for a while about the rich black lava flows and how orchids would do in such a product. In Hawaii, where those flows have been, it breaks down and becomes some of their richest growing areas for everything. Almost as soon as it cools, plants start popping up. How could we use that “phenomenon” with our orchids. I just wonder if you got hold of a younger source of lava or pumice if it would impart anything to the orchids. Most of what is mined out in the desert for grills and landscaping is super old as in millions of years- or maybe that doesn’t matter. I mean, soil is really just broken down rocks along with organic materials from plants and manure. Why wouldn’t orchids benefit from different types of rocks and some of the more natural organic garden products. And like you mentioned the Mycorrhizal fungi. I had great results with these in my garden in planting shrubs, trees, etc but have never thought of using them with my orchids. In nature, they get so many different types of nutrients from a large variety of sources - from air, rain, animals, and other plants and the combo of these. Well, on a bit of a ramble..always happens when I’m thinking......
Rose....I love your view on things, and how your analyzing more than whats on the surface...in hydro, I can grow anything, and grow it big.... its just so easy.....and I'm a huge fan of mother nature.......mimic her and you cant help but do well....
Yes, I enjoy your videos. I feel as though I could be your neighbor. When you do a complete rise cycle, do you use your rain water with your additives of cal mag?
Thanks Rick, this video was very helpful, and in fact I've been binge watching your "rocks" videos as recently I have noticed that some of my orchids have been struggling in bark. We've been through a very cold and damp winter and spring is proving to be just as damp. The water is not evaporating as quickly as I would like and the roots are remaining wet for too long and am nervous about root rot. I've therefore been researching moving some plants to rocks and will monitor to see how it goes.
thats the same reason i started using this media......in bark or moss....I never could control the moisture.......in inert medias.......you have total control of the grow....
Thanks Rick. I have worked very hard and repotted all of my Phals to river rock and lava rock and there were a ton of rotten roots when I took them out of the bark * sigh *. I am very excited to see how things turn out.
Nice vidio about media and envirement. Mine plants are for the most in bark,but i like to thinker and i'm a overwaterer. Coming spring i will repot some plants in lavarock, and see how i like it. Have a nice day.
The hydroton/leca pebbles where horrible when I used it the first time two years ago. It doesn't wick up water and dried out almost immediately. Was pointless. Only way i got it to work is with the seramis and the water reservoir. If i hadn't gotten my hand on a few seramis bags I probably would of tried out lava rock with perlite. Great video
6:18 So, when switching between different media types, should you let the roots recover after removing the old media, perhaps for a day or so, before introducing them to a new medium like lava rock?
Wow! I love the purple and white blooms!!! Before I started watching your videos I only thought you could use bark for your orchids ...that was in 2004. And it was said to never pot in a ceramic pot because it supposedly gives off something that wasn't good for the plants. Now that I'm watching your channel.........that was all nonsense, I guess. I love your purple pot, too!!
Well explained and probably the most important point? there is no 'quick fix' or 'one fix' that suits all. How many factors to conciser? - many many many! How many different environments to consider? - many many many. There is no 'one answer' but by thinking of as many questions as possible you get closer and closer to the best answer for 'this orchid' in 'this place'. Some of my best orchids are mounted - nuf said! - I'm still thinking of more that would do better mounted for next year - somehow they just look 'right'.
Me too, I also am an overwatering person so I feel more confident in using mediuns that allow me to be in control. I have some in water and others in rock. The ones I changed from water to rock did adjust rapidly, in the end there is not much of difference beeing still in a rapid wet/dry cicle. Thanks Rick for an other very informative video.
Hi Rick. I hope you are doing well. I'm trying to watch all of your videos, but I have not yet see how you water your mounted orchids. Do you just dunk the whole plant and mount or spray with a sprayer? What is your secret for keeping such beautiful mounted orchids?
......great question......with most questions I always tell growers to think back to orchids in the wild.......they would never get a tiny spray or a pour thu the bark......they would get a soaking rain.......with my mounts I let them soak for 20 min.....wood and all....
Hello Rick I know this is a rather old video and you might have answered it in one of your other videos already, but you mentioned that when we repot the orchids into another medium the old roots are very likely going to die and new roots would grow into the medium. What do you do with the old roots that died and got rotten in the pot? Do you repot the plant again just to check and clean it? I am currently experiencing this and I can clearly see some of the old roots that didn’t adapt to lava rock started to rot and some even have fungus now. Should I be worried? Thank you Rick and have a good day!
.....I love this question, thank you......I stopped removing old dead roots, a while back....the old roots will help do several things....some of them will continue to hydrate and feed the orchid tilll new roots grow ....and it helps anchor the orchid in the pot till the new roots grow, attach, and firmly anchor it......Using lava, or rock,... it allows the dead roots and other debris to fall thru the media and the pot and filter out the holes in the pot.......so far Ive noticed a big difference in how quickly they start new root growth now........If your having fungal issues, try removing some of the lava, and remove the problem roots......a dry cycle helps prevent that.
Very good explanation Rick and it helps a lot when you describe your environment and watering schedule. I couldn't agree more with trying one or two orchids when decided to try new growing method or new medium, most people see other's good results and jump on converting all their plants to that.
You mentioned at the start of this video that you had some thoughts about why leca doesn’t always work. I’d love to hear more as I’m having mixed results with it.
I received a phal t that had been overwatered and the roots are about 1.5 inches long right at the surface. How can I anchor it while I recovers? The plant itself is big and healthy.
Thanks., I am also leaning more and more to mounting or growing in inert media (like you I seem to like to fiddle with my plants and was getting really tired of rotting the roots off). I am using lava rock (never tried plain old river pebbles) and leca or a mix of both. I am still just starting on this road, and learning as I go, so would be very interested in hearing why you don't like the leca.
....main reason it has very high nutrient absorption rates......salts cling to it bad......harder to flush than other medias...the rolling issue isnt one of my favorites either...
This was a good chat. I mostly use leca and I have one plant that is doing just ok with it, although most are doing well. I guess you know someone now who is doing just ok with leca ;). I do also hate that it rolls around when you drop it though lol.
Do you ever mix lava rock and river rock? Do you think there is a problem with it? What would you do to add more moisture around your plants if you lived up north and plants are inside with dry heat in winter? Suggestions?
Shawn.....I mix them all the time, great results.....I really have not had to remove any plants form the rock, stone or gravel due to not growing....All the orchids but one has been moved inside........the temps get cold here single digits.......we have dry heat inside as well.......Im not having any issues so far, and watering less than I was outside.....humidity is key to any bare root growing plants.....mounted or in media.........great questions.
Yes, I think that foam type plug should always be removed. I ordered a howeara lava burst and didn't remove that foam as I didn't know what it was and the plant rotted at the base because it stayed too wet there. I was so choked, but had to re-buy another one because I really wanted it for my collection. Live and learn I guess. Your plants look awesome!!!
Can you please advise how to get new root growth. I have a couple of orchids which were doing badly, realised the roots had rotted. By the time I finished removing old potting medium and rotten roots there was practically nothing left. I don't really know where to go from here, trying to keep them alive by misting and moistening what root remains to keep them from drying out. Any advice gratefully received: I have only just discovered your videos and have learned so much - thank you! If you have covered this in a video I would be grateful for a link. God bless.
……….a great question,.....and growing roots is easy if you understand what they need to grow with...…..99% of store bought orchids suffer from loss of roots...its common...…...the moss or bark breaks down,.... the ph drops ….and they cant absorb calcium at low ph ranges...….with out calcium the roots die back...…...The best way to treat a rootless orchid is to remove it from the media....repot it......and then give it some Calmag and some kelp/seaweed.....Th calcium will allow the roots to start growing again.....and the kelp/seaweed will help them hydrate and absorb water......
Thank you so much, very kind and generous of you to be so helpful. So far I have kept them in a heated propagator, suspended above water in jars. I mist them to keep them hydrated ...and, one seems to be putting out a new leaf and roots - excitement! live in the UK so do not have ready access to all the that you use. I have managed to source some lava rocks so will pot them up into clay pots. I see many of yours have holes, do I need to drill some or will adding large sized pebbles be sufficient for air please? Thank you again for all the amazing advice, I have been gardening for over 40 years but you have given me so many insights. Praying for you and your wife to be well; keep resting in the Lord and praising Him. I always think His wonderful creation is such a beautiful gift to us, we are so richly blessed. I also love the bird sounds in your videos, would love to know what they are. So glad I found your videos, they are such an inspiration :)
Thanks for some great advice. Would lava rock be advisable for someone in Europe, where orchids are not so exposed to high temperatures except in summer? I somehow tend to overwater. I recently changed to leca. Needs a bit of time to see how it works. Sunny greetings from Switzerland🌻.
That was classic Rick...g'night lights out....loved this video, I am gonna try lava rock in my grow room again...it is so exciting to see different methods and your success...plus tell camera girl she picked the perfect pot for that pretty phal...I hope I'm not assuming wrongly 😊 Love to see the repot of plants, and in my experience, the phals are so entwined in whatever potting media they came in, especially those foam plugs, I find it very hard to get all that material off of the roots, usually...can you share exactly what you did to get it to the point we saw? I am wondering if you soaked it, got some of the media off...steps you took. I am assuming it had a bit more media to remove initially because mine always come with the plug plus something...thank you, Sir! Cara
Cara....thanks and yes Cookie wanted that pot for the phal....lol........it varies with the plants.....some the bark and moss drops right off and the roots are bare......others its stuck and everything gets damaged if you remove it.......this one had sphag moss around it, and in the center was that foam plug....I removed everything several weeks ago, but the plug.......it was bare rooted in the pot....... lava will get wet and soak up some water........Ive had great luck with every plant I have used it with.........never had to remove one from lava........thanks Cara...
Rick L thanks Rick, I will keep you posted on my transition to lava....got a bunch sitting here...will you typically keep some of the root mass exposed at the top of the media so you can keep an eye on them, or is that unneccessary for you? Does the plant give you some other indicators of when they want water? Perhaps with so much experience, it is more intuitive for you? Sorry I am full of questions😊...I love talking about this stuff with you and all....One other thing, do you believe the air plants need the pH and lack of tds that rain water provides? We'd been soaking them in the aquariums for the fish waste, but it just dawned on me, as epiphytes perhaps they are closer in their needs to the orchids....? Thank you, Rick. This winter will be an interesting experiment, for sure...my grow room being our den, has aquariums, a fire in the fire place, and orchids everywhere! We shall see how they do.....😊
Cara ...great point about leaving some root exposed....yes leave the crown of the plant exposed....will trigger new bulb or cane growth as well as keep air flow around the stem base....I watch roots for watering...... I feed the airplants same as my orchids.....ph and strength.....
Hi Rick, Thanks for the video. I’m repotting my phalaenopsis orchids to river rock medium from Lowe’s. Is it necessary to sterilize or boil the river rock first, or it’s good enough to just rinse it?
I get it at Home Depot or Lowes......in the garden area with mulch, and other stones .....I take out what I need, and rinse it off with a hose outside.....no need to wash or boil, etc.....just rinse it off.....
Thank u I’m so happy I found your channel. I’m amazed how large the lava rock u use is. Is that the same used for landscaping. I’m totally new to orchids n was given a rescue orchid. I enjoy the restoration process. Though no experience w orchids. Where do u buy your lava rocks?
I learned an important thing about watering. The short wet-dry cycle should be shorter. Mine need water every 6-7 days. Some can go 10-12 days. Too long, I learned. Thank YOU!!!
I am currently growing 28 Phals indoors in bark, in plastic orchid pots inserted in ceramic pots for stability. Last repotting was not quite 2 years ago and I'm very concerned about the amount of dead roots this time. I fully immerse the plastic pot in fertilized water every 9 days and drain. This process has always produced good results but I don't ever recall this many dead roots. I want to try lava and or lava/river rock on a few to see if they'll like it. I think you suggested removing the bark for a week (?) before switching to these mediums. Ironically, the leaves and flowers look great but I've read the roots are even more important. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Frances.....with out even seeing them, i can tell you the bark is breaking down and the ph has dropped in your media.......once it is below 5.2-3......they stop absorbing calcium......once they stop calcium intake.........the roots will start to die off.....even though the bark still looks OK......it causing issues......time for e repot........if you want to try lava rock or other stone......try it on a few, they will adjust very quickly......plant them up, dont worry about roots......after you pot them up.....dont water for a few days, let the roots heal over.........then soak them in some good water with calmag and some seaweed/kelp........they will start root growth very fast I bet.....
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I've already repotted 8 in new bark and will start repotting the rest. I have 2 new bags of bark remaining and will use that. Then I'll use lava rock for the few that will be left. I will also look for the river rock. Living in a rural area, our Home Depot doesn't show Cal/mag available but I found this on Amazon Botanicare CAL-MAG Plus Plant Supplement 2-0-0 Formula, 1 Quart. How much do I add to a gallon of water and do I only add it a few days after repotting or other times as well? Do I use it on the ones in new bark? If you recommend a different product on Amazon, just let me know......I should be able to receive the shipment in a couple of days. I've have enjoyed watching all of your videos multiple times. Your explanations are easy to understand and you should probably sell those metal supports for flower spikes/stems....think Shark Tank!
.....your orchids will be much happier I bet......the Botanicare cal-mag is fine......try 10-12 drops per gallon, should be around 50-80ppm.....give it to them all the time.......when ever you water..........also sprinkle some garden lime over the roots and it will help even more......keep the bark ph more neutral, and wont break down as fast.....very kind words........thank you.
I received the CAL-Mag 2-0-0 and Clean Kelp (Kelp and Seaplant extract) and used about 12 drops of each on the 24 orchids newly potted. I use tap water so I will order a TDS and a PH pen for future use and will try to better understand how to measure these. If there is a particular brand you like best, please let me know. I don't have lime available so possibly I can order if Home Depot doesn't have it. I also used some clay pots on my largest orchids so the roots would fit. In the past I used 20/20/20 and 30/10/10, changing the type every 9 days. However, the bark broke down apparently well before the 2 year repotting on a lot of the orchids. I'm wondering if I'll need to water more often, especially the ones in lava rock and river rock. Just would like to confirm that the CAL-MAG and Clean Kelp fully replace what I was using. I was terrible at chemistry in high school many decades ago so it's a little hard for me to grasp how these plants are getting all the nutrients they need. However, you are indeed very successful with your feeding program and it's clear that you do understand the chemistry! If there is a video using these 2 products, please provide the name and I'll watch it for more info. Thanks so much for answering when convenient. p.s. After seeing so many dead roots, I sure do understand why folks want to convert all their plants to rock but having 3 new bags of bark helped me refrain from that! Maybe next year!
@Rick - You said previously that you used to use semi hydro and one of the reasons you got away from it was because LECA holds on to solids too much. I did a test recently. I put clean LECA in distilled water and it was 270 ppm and two weeks later it was 390. I did the same only with supplements (165 ppm) added to the water and in 10 days it was 390. Will switching from LECA to these rocks bring down the solids significantly? What should the maximum ppm content be with water+supplements? Does moss add solids significantly? Doesn't lava rock hold on to solids as LECA does due to the porosity?
Hi Rick, I have a rescue Phalaenopsis with severe dehydration and damaged roots. I am trying your tea and lemon technique. My plant will be in doors. I can water regularly or leave it alone, but I don't know how I should re-pot it. It came in the typical plastic and ceramic pot without a hole in the bottom. What should I re-plant in? Also, do you soak your pots in your mixtures? Thanks for posting these videos and thanks for your help! I've watched about six and have learned so much!
Hi rick! Love these videos and learn so much from you. I see a nepenthes pitcher plant there. Are you growing it in inert media?! I am so intrigued about the potential for that. I had only moderate luck with my first which I had to leave behind in a move overseas but I’m anxious to add another one. Would love to grow in inert if possible. Thanks!
Rick L. Orchids I have always been told that they’re super fussy and I went with moss too but would love a better way. It never did well at all in the winter so I would lose all the great summer progress. I wonder if it could grow in pumice, small bits which are somewhat popular in Sweden where I am now. I look forward to your take on it all. They’re very fascinating plants and I would love to see one grow well for me. Have a great night!
I am trying to grow in leca but the TDS of leca in distilled water with no fertilizer is between 250 and 400 TDS! I have been soaking the leca in distilled water every day and spilling out the high TDS water once a day for two week. The TDS is still around 90! So maybe I should try 1/4 inch lava rock?
Hi Rick. I know my dendrobium phalaenopsis love to be potted in lava rock. Do grow very quickly. Nice video. I have a repotting question. The rules of repotting orchids is when new roots or new growth start appearing. I have a large oncidium that is root bound. I can't tell if there is new roots because of her size. Can I repot at any time?
.....thats a great question Blanca......I would wait till I saw a new green growth, starting...then repot.......if you know the variety, some research may tell you more about its growth habits.....the ones I have grow green shoots first, then follow with roots......
Hi Rick! I wish you were on Twitter! This has been a hot topic recently! Me neighbor grows her orchids in soil. Yes soil. And they are constant bloomers. I agree that we have to find what works for each one. I started to get away from bark and into pellets and rocks but I couldnt keep up with the watering (I grow outside). Moving back to half bark half pellets. Thank you for the great videos! (Consider joining Twitter) Happy Growing!
Maria.....thanks......i will look into it....you have to use what works best for you.......they all work, .......but some are better due to your style of growing and environment.....thanks...
Hi Rick. I have a question for you. I noticed that you removed the media that the orchid came in, and it was in a clay pot bare rooted. Did you immediately remove the media the orchid came in? I purchased a new orchid the other day. It only has one flower bud open, all the other buds are closed and still needs time to grow. So here is my dilemma, should I take it out of that nasty moss until all flowers open? I am worried of repotting my orchid too soon and loosing the other closed buds to bud blast. Thanks for your time and great video.
re-potting doesn't make them drop buds as much as temp or humidity change.....and the biggest cause is gasses....car exhaust from the ride home, or from ripe fruit near by......can make them drop buds overnight......to answer the question....it varies......look at the roots......if they are in good shape you can let it go a while......if they dont look good.......go ahead and repot.....wont make a difference....if the media changes.....they will drop roots and grow new ones....regardless......great question
Rick L most of the roots look ok. So I will just monitor it and let get used to my environment. Thanks for the reply. I’ll look forward your next videos.
I can echo that, Lorena...out of 30 plus Phals, I could not keep my hands out of the media and repotted all of them immediately...out of all those repots I have only found 2 or 3 buds lost...
I'm the same as you, I love mounting! It does require more attention to watering but I love being out there with them and luckily I have the time to be so it works! I only have two pots and they have bark but I'm going to try river rock or gravel. Do you get yours at Home Depot or Lowes or at a local nursery near you? Thank you for your videos, you make topics that I used to find overwhelming more approachable and understandable.
Rick thank you so much for all this info! Please let me ask you something. I just reported a phal in 100% lava rock. I took it out of bark though and it did have awesome roots. Did I understand well that you are saying that all the great roots will die now? I wouldn’t want this to happen. It would be a shame to loose all those roots. Please tell me what you think.
.........that's hard to say.......I am just now going on 1year having orchids.....so, I'm still learning and figuring out their individual needs....but, Im feeding 125-150ppm of feed once a week for the ones that are growing leaves......less for the ones blooming, ,maybe 50-75ppm..they are getting more P than N.......and flushing in between feeding.....when weather warms up......i will feed more around 200-250ppm...I think phals need less N, and more P......than other orchids....as soon as I can get something locked down,,.......i will talk about, and share it...
Thanks so much Rick. It has been just one year for you? I thought you might have been growing for many years. For just one year you have just amazing plants. Keep up with the great work that you and for putting out regular videos despite your health issues. Thanks a lot
My phal loves the expanded clay balls, one of my oncidiums hated it and almost died. Every other plant (non orchid) I have tried with it did badly. I think partly because it's alkaline. I later on tried soaking it for days before hand in a tea and coffee mixture and the 2 oncidiums I put in it are doing fine. I will try river rock next time.
lecca, hydroton, etc........is bad about holding on to nutrients......and hard to flush......they start keeping salts first time they are used....I will say, I get the opposite with mine......they retain nothing .......which is good.......but you need to stay on top of your fertilizing or they can get deficient.......with no reserves..
I just noticed the pitcher plant, any tips on getting it to produce pitchers?? Mine looks good, but hasn't had pitchers for the last couple years.. Thanks. By the way, Love your orchid videos!
they grow picture's in heat and humidity..........mine stopped growing pictures once it came inside for the winter.....it will start again when it goes outside this spring.....
Good info about securing the plant in the pot and thinking about our individual climate. My mini phal had that same compressed fiber plug! I thought it was dirt at first and almost freaked out, but when I was repotting, I noticed it definitely felt foam-like. Bizarre! Do you find that the orchid drops its blooms early after repotting into a different media? Or do some continue to hold the spike? Nearly every time I've had to repot an orchid in bloom, the buds blast or the blooms fade quicker than normal, even if I try my best not to disturb the roots :( I'm wondering if lava rock would work better for me since I live in a colder climate where even bark sometimes remains wet for too long during the winter. Haha totally understand what you mean about "pestering your plants" I do the same :)
Emily, thank you, I think you should repot as soon as you can.......get the plant started on adjusting to its environment asap.........the ones Ive potted dont usually drop blooms.........at least not from the potting.....the main reason i love the lava rock, gravel, river rock is it dries out quicker and the plants dont get root rot........
Beautiful blooms on that phal...I'm glad that you didn't remove the spike! :) I've had good luck so far with lava/river rock...haven't lost a plant yet...my environment is a bit cooler/drier than yours so that is an issue I have to deal with. I have a question - in your experience with growing in this type of media so far, is there any particular variety of orchid that doesn't do as well as others? I know that phals and cattleyas seem to love inert media, as well as dendrobiums. But, I guess a miltoniopsis which prefers a wetter environment wouldn't tend to fare well in lava rock or gravel?
Good afternoon Caroline....no experience with Miltoniopsis.....I was cautious with the Oncidiums I had also......cause they have finer roots and dont like to dry out as much as a Catt or Den....but they have really adapted well........if its an orchid that naturally tree mounts or lives on the ground on.... or among ground litter......I think they would do fine........the finer the gravel....the moister it will stay, you can also use a glazed pot vs a unglazed raw pot........my sherry baby is in a glazed pot for that reason.........great question....
Your Sherry Baby is AWESOME so it really must like the glazed pot! :) If I had to list one con about growing in clay pots (or glazed pots for that matter) it's that you cannot see the roots. An experienced grower like yourself more or less instinctively knows when it's time to water but I'm used to going by the appearance of the roots. What I would really love to see is what the roots look like after they've been growing in lava rock and a clay pot after a year or two. If you ever happen to knock a pot off the shelf and it breaks, please film it. Just so we can see the roots!!!
I would definitely try lava rock...I have three that I'm currently trying to rescue and they have no roots to speak of at this time. They are just kind of sitting on top of some moist pebbles in a plastic cup. But, in the spring (hopefully!) I will be potting them in rock of some sort. I do have a mini dendrobium that loves water culture. It just depends on the individual orchid, I suppose.
HI! RICKY YOU ARE RIGHT IT MAKE SENSE NOW I PREFER LAVA ROCK OR ORCHIATA BARK (NOT AS MUCH ) LAVA ROCK SHOULD BE IN A CLAY POT???? I MOSTLY HAVE A PLASTIC WITH HOLES I GOT THEM FROM AMAZON
great question..........this is where you have to get creative......sometimes i can wedge a few pieces of lava rock around it.....or a section of green tie wire......more important for a taller plant that is prone to wobble or rock.....
Rick, I know this question is not related to the subject of this video, forgive me, but what you recommend to do to achieve a better water quality ? I don’t have a RO water system to filtrate mine, and to relay on rain sometimes is unpredictable. Any advice? Many thanks!
Elaine.....Im working on some videos to address that right there.....its the most important point of orchid keeping....testing your tap is the only way to know.....if its not good for orchids......nothing will make it better, or easier to grow with it.... Bottled water is ok, but expensive and not always usable for orchids......manufacture add sodium [salt] for flavor, shelf life and keep bacteria away.....but its sold as spring water, or purified water........test it.....only way to know theses days....
Just ordered my ph and tds meters and will buy one of those pitchers to filter the water . Ph should be around 5.8-6 right? What about the ppm? Many thanks !
This is a very informative video, thank you, Rick! I am sterilizing the lava rock I recently purchased today, then letting it dry out and store in a container like you do. Good info on trying the re-pot on one plant at a time. Normally I'd go all out and re-pot all four at once. Does it matter what size of pot you re-pot into? (I've gone an inch larger at a time with most houseplants in the past, how do you determine new pot size with orchids)?
..........great question..........in bark or moss you need to be cautious, cause they dont dry out fast and can start to rot........with this media.....you can put a small plant in a big pot and it wont hurt...you can oversize them if you know they will grow fast and fill them up.......
I had so much fun with all my items on hand, following your directions. Made an offset pot clip, snapped on nice and tight. Placed large lava on the bottom and fit pieces in around cleaned up roots. Will let it rest for a week or so before fertilizing, right? It looks pretty happy in it's new pot and the lava rock. I'm interested to see how this works. Have a nice day, Rick!
Oh and you mentioned leaving the orchid bare root for a few days before repotting? After you remove old media do you mist the roots? Would like more details on that, my roots die because I never let them heal :((((
…….no I prefer to let them stay dry to heal over for 48hrs or so....less chance of infections getting started......Roots don't heal or don't grow back fast.... due to the lack of calcium around them......after you repot a orchid …..after a few days give it a good soak of water with calmag......its like a tonic to them....they will start growing roots fast..
@@rickl.orchids I read this article that says "to soak roots in a solution of root growth stimulant for a few hours and then allowing it to dry somewhat for a couple of weeks out of the mix before repotting, it should help initiate sufficient new root growth. During this period the plant should be misted on clear, sunny mornings, but not watered otherwise. This reduction in water encourages new root growth." Not sure if it applies to all orchids but it says so for the Psychopsis orchid. carter-and-holmes.com/oc16-oncidium-papilio
@@rickl.orchids How much ppm of calmag for the soaking after repotting? Sorry I know Im annoying but its seems like youre the only who has the answers im looking for :)
Hi Rick, I was wondering if you could take a look at some pictures of my orchids suffering from deficiencies. I'm not sure how to post a picture on here. Do you have an email address that I could send them to?
Josh, happy to help.....go to my channel header, click "about"....then click "send Message..........send me a message and I'll give you a email to use.....
A couple of questions Rick. I noticed many of your Phals are planted in clay pots. Don't you find the roots stick to the pots making repotting a challenge? Do you use Epsom salts or cal mag on your nepenthes? Thanks. Jack from Victoria Canada
great questions Jack...........your correct.....the phals wrap rots all over the pots........but.....since I use lava rock, pea gravel, river rock.......they never need re-potting unless they out grow the pots....the media doesn't go bad or decay, like bark or moss......so re-potting in spring or every few years due to the bark going bad....doesn't happen.......for the few that I have upgraded into bigger pots........after a good soak.....I tap the pot with hammer and a good bit of it falls away....they grow new roots very quickly....2nd question.......no Ive never used calmag or ES on nepenthes......have you experience with it?......
Do you need to sanitize the rock or lava rock? Got lava rock yesterday to repot today so I need to know? Thank you Rick ❤️ Later that day, I found the answer in another video in someone asking this question read answer u gave them. Just rinse with garden hose! Best of the day to you and Jan ❤️ by the way I have a sister named Jan the best sis there is 😀
I was thinking bad pot idea. All the roots that come out the holes are likely to get damaged with the repot. Then it hit me why repot? It's not bark or moss it's full of rocks that won't rot. Something mite need to be dun in I don't know ten years from now. By then they probably won't be your plants anymore.
I have mounts on red oak, white oak, hickory, cedar, cypress, heart pine....stay away from trees that have stones/pits in their fruit...ie..peach , plum....they give off chemicals to keep other plants from growing around them...great question....thank you
Planting is therapy. I also have a lot of medical issues just like many people out there but nurturing orchids keep me going. More power to us, Rick.
..I agree so much........I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.....and please keep growing.
Every time I see any video with lava in it, I click it right away! Thanks for sharing🌱🌱
Thanks Olivia.......
In Hawaii we call it (garden) cinder. It comes in two colors - black & redish. Black is more desirable for orchids because it contains nutrients whereas nutrients have been leached from the red. Wood chips and cinder are probably the most popular orchid medium here. It's certainly true in the nurseries.
Nice re-potting ! Your phal is very beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Love the color of that phalaenopsis orchid. Always so much good information Rick. God Bless
Hi! I really like the way you have all your orchids so neat and nice,I admire your mounted orchids they so beautiful 👍
thank you Mary......
Hi Rick, you definitely can grow. God Bless. My prayers are still with you and your wife. Hugs from Michigan Roxanne
Rick L., this is my second time visiting this lesson. Your talk is enlightening throughout, especially concerning why orchids need to be anchored and stabilized...I'd say just like the very young human species. Again, your hands-on demonstration and lecture style (the more wet-dry cycles, the faster the orchid grows), the more is delivered on the higher end of the mastery scale. Thank you very much. Date: May 12, 2018
.........such a wonderful statement......"anchored and stabilized..... just like the very young human species"...........you are so cool......
Bless you, Rick L. A few of the 7th graders I teach tell me I'm "too cool for school." Date: May 13, 2018
Same to me Rich
I plant all of my oncidium and Phalaenopsis in house, bark chips is a big issue to me since it’s broken down so fast. After watching your clips, I decided change all of my orchid media to lava rock, now it’s working well to me, I’m kind of person, always water my plants lol, thanks a lot.
........love hearing this......much easier to control watering in stone, etc....
Great video. I think that lava rock costs next to nothing and is economical because it can be reused after sterilization. Less waste over time too.
60% of my collection is in a lava rock/river rock mix. I find that roots love to cling to it. Perfect for most cattleyas, phrags, and most potted Vanda types. My only consideration with lava rock is that you have to maybe use a pot that is one size larger than if using a more pliable medium like bark or sponge rock, The roots will grow quite fast and will become pot bound in no time. Lava rock also absorbs quite a bit of salts and so a soak in plain water is advisable at regular intervals.
Lava rock is not so great for Bulbophyllums and dendrobiums in my experience. Some of my paphs and phals are in lava rock too but mixed in with some sponge rock or Sphagnum moss. Oh and that foamy thing that your phal was growing in was probably rockwool. Mine has one too along with the bark it came in. Not doing any harm so it will wait till spring for a repotting. Rockwool too is a good inert orchid medium but you have to avoid generating any dust.
wonderful contribution to the channel.....thanks for your input, and all great points......
Thanks for this,
When I first started this, I had no idea that I would lose the roots. Now I am getting roots, I feel so much better. Still have to get cal-mag, but I am still in the game. I see the roots are growing. Yoo hoo!
......seeing you today brought a smile to my face that i wont shake all day!......your doing wonderful......and developing your growing style.....its paying off.......keep us updated....so thankful to him today for this!
Rick L., Okay, I had not seen this video until tonight, and it is a good one. Thank you for touching on the growing cycles of orchids and the different media types for different results. Again, what is common sense from your growing expereience is big news to me. Another thing that just occurred to me is how you teach specific points so much like my father used to teach me about keeping our yard manicured and our garden free of weeds. EUREKA! That is a big reason why I enjoy your videos so much! Thank you, Rick L.! Thank you! Date: April 1, 2018
heh heh heh.....always make me smile....thank you.
i wach it 2 times already great info.love the blooms😊🐶🌸
I do use lava rocks with charcoal. I noticed that lava rocks are much better and I am not using to much potting mix. Here in Miami the temps are high and I have to water more often, most of my orchids are mounted and my cedarwood baskets, so they dried faster.
I like Rick's videos, his knowledge and orchids. Thank you
It's interesting to learn what works for others even when you have all ready found what works for you.
Loving river rock and gravels...because that is what I had...want to try lava next...also I must have missed your drilling into pots...Got to find that vid...
See you for the first time. Great advice. I live in The Netherlands 🇳🇱 . Big changes in seasons, although climate change is messing up. Currently reviving my orchids. Although I don’t over water them. Their roots have gone bad. So i’ll mix the new soil with lava rocks. I love rocks anyway.
Wow, I really like it the way how you grow it with lava rock it is good too but I break them some if they are a big peace to and thank you for your share 💕
Hi Rick, Absolutely Love the color's on that phalaenopsis. Praying that all is going well with you and your wife. Prayers, Hugs and Love from Michigan Roxanne
Thnx for another great tips...in my environment I use moss, bark and perlite...works well with my orchids...thnx for sharing Rick...
Very interesting video, thanks Rick. Videos like this make us growers think and that’s important for success. We all want to grow beautiful orchids and we need to adapt according to our environments! I think what I would like simplified, if I may ask, is this: if my plant has no roots, I want to grow roots...how best can I do this as quickly as possible? If my orchid is big and beautiful but it’s not flowering, how can I MAKE it flower? How can I tell what nutrients to give and when? Should I alternate PH levels weekly? Bi weekly? I know it depends on other factors but ultimately.....How can I control what my plant does? These questions assume we have good water quality, the means to test the water plus humidity and lighting sorted of course as that is obviously a factor...
Very interesting points on medium and thoughts on growing, thanks Ricky 👍👍😊😊
Thank you for the videos, I know it's an older one but I am going thru your channel and learning as much as I can about orchids. I have a very old neglected collection here in Melbourne Florida and they are in desperate need of TLC!
…….ask any questions you desire......If I had inherited a older neglected collection...….the 1st thing I would do would be top dress them with garden lime and start them on some low nutrients. ….including calmag....As they start growing better roots and responding.....increase the feed as needed …...Good Luck
Thanks Rick for all your advises on this. Southern CA is too dry in the summer and most of the time for mounting method on orchids. I sure like yours though. Happy growing!
It all makes sense, we have used pebbles on trays to help with humidity for years. We all know when you turn a rock over in the garden, it will be damp under it. Actually, almost all rock absorbs some water. Depending on the rock, some can be very absorbent for example pumice (most pale colored but there is some black) is the most absorbent rock known at 50% or more porosity - some up to 90%. But if you drop them in a bucket they will eventually sink once in they get enough water in them. Because of its permeability, it can hold fertilizer solution and keep a nutrient rich environment for plants. Now I believe what we call Lava rock (the red stuff) is actually Scoria, still a volcanic rock but not as porous as pumice. I think, depending on where it is mined, is why some floats. To us lay people, it’s all lava rock, but not to a geologist. I like the small-med black tumbled. Some fireplace/wood-stove stores carry the black and a dark brown and even a grey. Sedimentary stones like sandstone is another high porosity stone...up to 30%. Limestone and travertine can be up to 31% porosity. Shale can be up to 10%, Slate 5%. Granite is up to 1.5%. If you have a granite countertop and it needs to be sealed - you will see it darken where water gets on it. Same with marble (up to 2%). It is why you have to keep them sealed to keep water, acid like vinegar, lemon juice and oils out - because they absorb them right in. Permeability, absorption, and porosity are closely linked but not quite the same so forgive me if I used one or the other interchangeably. Brick or broken clay pot pieces will hold moisture and even some minerals and gemstones can absorb moisture. Just think if we could afford to pot our orchids in gemstones like opals, or turquoise or pearls. Well, at the cost of some of the media we are offered today - we might could. It’s why I love Rick’s success with lava and river stones and as he tells us...it is just a tool. I have seen hydroponically grown tomatoes growing in a tiny little area in rock-wool like Groban’s with this huge tall plant full of tomatoes. It is amazing, but yet not really...they are pushing nutrients, oxygen, water on them all the time - can’t help but produce. Same with lettuce and others. The amazing thing is knowing what you are doing like Rick. We are so blessed to have him to share this information with us. In fact, Rick, when you can - talk to us some more about nutrients, fertilizers, supplements whatever - the hows, whys and hows.
You know Rick, we think of rocks as just blobs but they do have good mineral properties. Think about rock powders - I have had great luck with them in my garden along with greensand which is marine based - but talk about a difference in taste and growth. Just remineralized the soil. The rock powders/dust are just crushed fine rocks. Like bone meal - I always use with iris, all bulbs, tomatoes, etc. and it makes a difference and is a good source of calcium. I have been thinking for a while about the rich black lava flows and how orchids would do in such a product. In Hawaii, where those flows have been, it breaks down and becomes some of their richest growing areas for everything. Almost as soon as it cools, plants start popping up. How could we use that “phenomenon” with our orchids. I just wonder if you got hold of a younger source of lava or pumice if it would impart anything to the orchids. Most of what is mined out in the desert for grills and landscaping is super old as in millions of years- or maybe that doesn’t matter. I mean, soil is really just broken down rocks along with organic materials from plants and manure. Why wouldn’t orchids benefit from different types of rocks and some of the more natural organic garden products. And like you mentioned the Mycorrhizal fungi. I had great results with these in my garden in planting shrubs, trees, etc but have never thought of using them with my orchids. In nature, they get so many different types of nutrients from a large variety of sources - from air, rain, animals, and other plants and the combo of these. Well, on a bit of a ramble..always happens when I’m thinking......
Rose....I love your view on things, and how your analyzing more than whats on the surface...in hydro, I can grow anything, and grow it big.... its just so easy.....and I'm a huge fan of mother nature.......mimic her and you cant help but do well....
rosebudforglory You’re very insightful. I’m taking 📝
Yes, I enjoy your videos. I feel as though I could be your neighbor. When you do a complete rise cycle, do you use your rain water with your additives of cal mag?
Thanks Rick, this video was very helpful, and in fact I've been binge watching your "rocks" videos as recently I have noticed that some of my orchids have been struggling in bark. We've been through a very cold and damp winter and spring is proving to be just as damp. The water is not evaporating as quickly as I would like and the roots are remaining wet for too long and am nervous about root rot. I've therefore been researching moving some plants to rocks and will monitor to see how it goes.
thats the same reason i started using this media......in bark or moss....I never could control the moisture.......in inert medias.......you have total control of the grow....
Thanks Rick. I have worked very hard and repotted all of my Phals to river rock and lava rock and there were a ton of rotten roots when I took them out of the bark * sigh *. I am very excited to see how things turn out.
Nice vidio about media and envirement.
Mine plants are for the most in bark,but i like to thinker and i'm a overwaterer.
Coming spring i will repot some plants in lavarock, and see how i like it.
Have a nice day.
thank you for watching......thats the perfect way.....wait till growing season and try a few.......words to grow by
I planted mine in lava rocks and river rocks and I love it!
Thanks Rick for the great tips 👍
.....Thanks again Ashley
The hydroton/leca pebbles where horrible when I used it the first time two years ago. It doesn't wick up water and dried out almost immediately. Was pointless. Only way i got it to work is with the seramis and the water reservoir. If i hadn't gotten my hand on a few seramis bags I probably would of tried out lava rock with perlite. Great video
6:18 So, when switching between different media types, should you let the roots recover after removing the old media, perhaps for a day or so, before introducing them to a new medium like lava rock?
Thank you Rick! You are awesome! ♥
Wow! I love the purple and white blooms!!! Before I started watching your videos I only thought you could use bark for your orchids ...that was in 2004. And it was said to never pot in a ceramic pot because it supposedly gives off something that wasn't good for the plants. Now that I'm watching your channel.........that was all nonsense, I guess. I love your purple pot, too!!
Thanks Terry.......lot of the stuff we were told turned out to be false......common sense prevails most times.....
Interesting video. Thanks for sharing
Well explained and probably the most important point? there is no 'quick fix' or 'one fix' that suits all. How many factors to conciser? - many many many! How many different environments to consider? - many many many. There is no 'one answer' but by thinking of as many questions as possible you get closer and closer to the best answer for 'this orchid' in 'this place'. Some of my best orchids are mounted - nuf said! - I'm still thinking of more that would do better mounted for next year - somehow they just look 'right'.
.....thanks Roger, hard to explain sometimes......many factors
Love your plants! Just subbed!💚
Me too, I also am an overwatering person so I feel more confident in using mediuns that allow me to be in control. I have some in water and others in rock. The ones I changed from water to rock did adjust rapidly, in the end there is not much of difference beeing still in a rapid wet/dry cicle.
Thanks Rick for an other very informative video.
Fernanda........such a great point......and thats the one thats hard to get across....that wet dry cycle.....
What a pretty flower!
Hi Rick. I hope you are doing well. I'm trying to watch all of your videos, but I have not yet see how you water your mounted orchids. Do you just dunk the whole plant and mount or spray with a sprayer? What is your secret for keeping such beautiful mounted orchids?
......great question......with most questions I always tell growers to think back to orchids in the wild.......they would never get a tiny spray or a pour thu the bark......they would get a soaking rain.......with my mounts I let them soak for 20 min.....wood and all....
Hello Rick
I know this is a rather old video and you might have answered it in one of your other videos already, but you mentioned that when we repot the orchids into another medium the old roots are very likely going to die and new roots would grow into the medium.
What do you do with the old roots that died and got rotten in the pot? Do you repot the plant again just to check and clean it?
I am currently experiencing this and I can clearly see some of the old roots that didn’t adapt to lava rock started to rot and some even have fungus now.
Should I be worried?
Thank you Rick and have a good day!
.....I love this question, thank you......I stopped removing old dead roots, a while back....the old roots will help do several things....some of them will continue to hydrate and feed the orchid tilll new roots grow ....and it helps anchor the orchid in the pot till the new roots grow, attach, and firmly anchor it......Using lava, or rock,... it allows the dead roots and other debris to fall thru the media and the pot and filter out the holes in the pot.......so far Ive noticed a big difference in how quickly they start new root growth now........If your having fungal issues, try removing some of the lava, and remove the problem roots......a dry cycle helps prevent that.
I learn Loy from ur video ,thank u sir ,wish u good health ,God bless u ,Ameen !
very kind......thank you for the blessings.......you as well.........
Very good explanation Rick and it helps a lot when you describe your environment and watering schedule. I couldn't agree more with trying one or two orchids when decided to try new growing method or new medium, most people see other's good results and jump on converting all their plants to that.
yes.....thanks Corina......thats what I dont want, too drastic of a change..........few plants is better.......then add to it.........
You mentioned at the start of this video that you had some thoughts about why leca doesn’t always work. I’d love to hear more as I’m having mixed results with it.
Does it require daily watering?
No......I water and they stay damp for several days then I give them a few days of dry time, .....so Im watering about once a week.
I received a phal t that had been overwatered and the roots are about 1.5 inches long right at the surface. How can I anchor it while I recovers? The plant itself is big and healthy.
Thanks., I am also leaning more and more to mounting or growing in inert media (like you I seem to like to fiddle with my plants and was getting really tired of rotting the roots off). I am using lava rock (never tried plain old river pebbles) and leca or a mix of both. I am still just starting on this road, and learning as I go, so would be very interested in hearing why you don't like the leca.
....main reason it has very high nutrient absorption rates......salts cling to it bad......harder to flush than other medias...the rolling issue isnt one of my favorites either...
Thanks, that makes sense.
This was a good chat. I mostly use leca and I have one plant that is doing just ok with it, although most are doing well. I guess you know someone now who is doing just ok with leca ;). I do also hate that it rolls around when you drop it though lol.
Thanks Gabrielle......the rolling is part of it.....Lecca is just to absorbent of nutrients for my liking....hard to flush well..
Do you ever mix lava rock and river rock? Do you think there is a problem with it? What would you do to add more moisture around your plants if you lived up north and plants are inside with dry heat in winter? Suggestions?
Shawn.....I mix them all the time, great results.....I really have not had to remove any plants form the rock, stone or gravel due to not growing....All the orchids but one has been moved inside........the temps get cold here single digits.......we have dry heat inside as well.......Im not having any issues so far, and watering less than I was outside.....humidity is key to any bare root growing plants.....mounted or in media.........great questions.
Yes, I think that foam type plug should always be removed. I ordered a howeara lava burst and didn't remove that foam as I didn't know what it was and the plant rotted at the base because it stayed too wet there. I was so choked, but had to re-buy another one because I really wanted it for my collection. Live and learn I guess. Your plants look awesome!!!
sorry Rose.......i think its compressed coco, and gelatin, mixed together....hate to hear that.....
Can you please advise how to get new root growth. I have a couple of orchids which were doing badly, realised the roots had rotted. By the time I finished removing old potting medium and rotten roots there was practically nothing left. I don't really know where to go from here, trying to keep them alive by misting and moistening what root remains to keep them from drying out. Any advice gratefully received: I have only just discovered your videos and have learned so much - thank you! If you have covered this in a video I would be grateful for a link. God bless.
……….a great question,.....and growing roots is easy if you understand what they need to grow with...…..99% of store bought orchids suffer from loss of roots...its common...…...the moss or bark breaks down,.... the ph drops ….and they cant absorb calcium at low ph ranges...….with out calcium the roots die back...…...The best way to treat a rootless orchid is to remove it from the media....repot it......and then give it some Calmag and some kelp/seaweed.....Th calcium will allow the roots to start growing again.....and the kelp/seaweed will help them hydrate and absorb water......
Thank you so much, very kind and generous of you to be so helpful. So far I have kept them in a heated propagator, suspended above water in jars. I mist them to keep them hydrated ...and, one seems to be putting out a new leaf and roots - excitement! live in the UK so do not have ready access to all the that you use. I have managed to source some lava rocks so will pot them up into clay pots. I see many of yours have holes, do I need to drill some or will adding large sized pebbles be sufficient for air please? Thank you again for all the amazing advice, I have been gardening for over 40 years but you have given me so many insights. Praying for you and your wife to be well; keep resting in the Lord and praising Him. I always think His wonderful creation is such a beautiful gift to us, we are so richly blessed. I also love the bird sounds in your videos, would love to know what they are. So glad I found your videos, they are such an inspiration :)
Thanks for some great advice. Would lava rock be advisable for someone in Europe, where orchids are not so exposed to high temperatures except in summer?
I somehow tend to overwater. I recently changed to leca. Needs a bit of time to see how it works.
Sunny greetings from Switzerland🌻.
That was classic Rick...g'night lights out....loved this video, I am gonna try lava rock in my grow room again...it is so exciting to see different methods and your success...plus tell camera girl she picked the perfect pot for that pretty phal...I hope I'm not assuming wrongly 😊 Love to see the repot of plants, and in my experience, the phals are so entwined in whatever potting media they came in, especially those foam plugs, I find it very hard to get all that material off of the roots, usually...can you share exactly what you did to get it to the point we saw? I am wondering if you soaked it, got some of the media off...steps you took. I am assuming it had a bit more media to remove initially because mine always come with the plug plus something...thank you, Sir! Cara
Cara....thanks and yes Cookie wanted that pot for the phal....lol........it varies with the plants.....some the bark and moss drops right off and the roots are bare......others its stuck and everything gets damaged if you remove it.......this one had sphag moss around it, and in the center was that foam plug....I removed everything several weeks ago, but the plug.......it was bare rooted in the pot.......
lava will get wet and soak up some water........Ive had great luck with every plant I have used it with.........never had to remove one from lava........thanks Cara...
Rick L thanks Rick, I will keep you posted on my transition to lava....got a bunch sitting here...will you typically keep some of the root mass exposed at the top of the media so you can keep an eye on them, or is that unneccessary for you? Does the plant give you some other indicators of when they want water? Perhaps with so much experience, it is more intuitive for you? Sorry I am full of questions😊...I love talking about this stuff with you and all....One other thing, do you believe the air plants need the pH and lack of tds that rain water provides? We'd been soaking them in the aquariums for the fish waste, but it just dawned on me, as epiphytes perhaps they are closer in their needs to the orchids....? Thank you, Rick. This winter will be an interesting experiment, for sure...my grow room being our den, has aquariums, a fire in the fire place, and orchids everywhere! We shall see how they do.....😊
Cara ...great point about leaving some root exposed....yes leave the crown of the plant exposed....will trigger new bulb or cane growth as well as keep air flow around the stem base....I watch roots for watering......
I feed the airplants same as my orchids.....ph and strength.....
Rick L Rick, thank you for the feedback and the encouragement! If it comes from you I take it like gospel....😊
Do you sanitize the lava and river rocks?
Hi Rick, Thanks for the video. I’m repotting my phalaenopsis orchids to river rock medium from Lowe’s. Is it necessary to sterilize or boil the river rock first, or it’s good enough to just rinse it?
Where do you get your lava rock?
I get it at Home Depot or Lowes......in the garden area with mulch, and other stones .....I take out what I need, and rinse it off with a hose outside.....no need to wash or boil, etc.....just rinse it off.....
Thank u I’m so happy I found your channel. I’m amazed how large the lava rock u use is. Is that the same used for landscaping. I’m totally new to orchids n was given a rescue orchid. I enjoy the restoration process. Though no experience w orchids. Where do u buy your lava rocks?
BTW IM IN tropical climate. One 10 in S Florida
Garden center, Lowe’s, Home Depo, Ace.....
I learned an important thing about watering. The short wet-dry cycle should be shorter. Mine need water every 6-7 days. Some can go 10-12 days. Too long, I learned. Thank YOU!!!
I am currently growing 28 Phals indoors in bark, in plastic orchid pots inserted in ceramic pots for stability. Last repotting was not quite 2 years ago and I'm very concerned about the amount of dead roots this time. I fully immerse the plastic pot in fertilized water every 9 days and drain. This process has always produced good results but I don't ever recall this many dead roots. I want to try lava and or lava/river rock on a few to see if they'll like it. I think you suggested removing the bark for a week (?) before switching to these mediums. Ironically, the leaves and flowers look great but I've read the roots are even more important. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Frances.....with out even seeing them, i can tell you the bark is breaking down and the ph has dropped in your media.......once it is below 5.2-3......they stop absorbing calcium......once they stop calcium intake.........the roots will start to die off.....even though the bark still looks OK......it causing issues......time for e repot........if you want to try lava rock or other stone......try it on a few, they will adjust very quickly......plant them up, dont worry about roots......after you pot them up.....dont water for a few days, let the roots heal over.........then soak them in some good water with calmag and some seaweed/kelp........they will start root growth very fast I bet.....
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I've already repotted 8 in new bark and will start repotting the rest. I have 2 new bags of bark remaining and will use that. Then I'll use lava rock for the few that will be left. I will also look for the river rock. Living in a rural area, our Home Depot doesn't show Cal/mag available but I found this on Amazon Botanicare CAL-MAG Plus Plant Supplement 2-0-0 Formula, 1 Quart. How much do I add to a gallon of water and do I only add it a few days after repotting or other times as well? Do I use it on the ones in new bark? If you recommend a different product on Amazon, just let me know......I should be able to receive the shipment in a couple of days. I've have enjoyed watching all of your videos multiple times. Your explanations are easy to understand and you should probably sell those metal supports for flower spikes/stems....think Shark Tank!
.....your orchids will be much happier I bet......the Botanicare cal-mag is fine......try 10-12 drops per gallon, should be around 50-80ppm.....give it to them all the time.......when ever you water..........also sprinkle some garden lime over the roots and it will help even more......keep the bark ph more neutral, and wont break down as fast.....very kind words........thank you.
I received the CAL-Mag 2-0-0 and Clean Kelp (Kelp and Seaplant extract) and used about 12 drops of each on the 24 orchids newly potted. I use tap water so I will order a TDS and a PH pen for future use and will try to better understand how to measure these. If there is a particular brand you like best, please let me know. I don't have lime available so possibly I can order if Home Depot doesn't have it. I also used some clay pots on my largest orchids so the roots would fit. In the past I used 20/20/20 and 30/10/10, changing the type every 9 days. However, the bark broke down apparently well before the 2 year repotting on a lot of the orchids. I'm wondering if I'll need to water more often, especially the ones in lava rock and river rock. Just would like to confirm that the CAL-MAG and Clean Kelp fully replace what I was using. I was terrible at chemistry in high school many decades ago so it's a little hard for me to grasp how these plants are getting all the nutrients they need. However, you are indeed very successful with your feeding program and it's clear that you do understand the chemistry! If there is a video using these 2 products, please provide the name and I'll watch it for more info. Thanks so much for answering when convenient. p.s. After seeing so many dead roots, I sure do understand why folks want to convert all their plants to rock but having 3 new bags of bark helped me refrain from that! Maybe next year!
@Rick - You said previously that you used to use semi hydro and one of the reasons you got away from it was because LECA holds on to solids too much. I did a test recently. I put clean LECA in distilled water and it was 270 ppm and two weeks later it was 390. I did the same only with supplements (165 ppm) added to the water and in 10 days it was 390. Will switching from LECA to these rocks bring down the solids significantly? What should the maximum ppm content be with water+supplements? Does moss add solids significantly? Doesn't lava rock hold on to solids as LECA does due to the porosity?
Hi Rick, I have a rescue Phalaenopsis with severe dehydration and damaged roots. I am trying your tea and lemon technique. My plant will be in doors. I can water regularly or leave it alone, but I don't know how I should re-pot it. It came in the typical plastic and ceramic pot without a hole in the bottom. What should I re-plant in? Also, do you soak your pots in your mixtures? Thanks for posting these videos and thanks for your help! I've watched about six and have learned so much!
Hi rick! Love these videos and learn so much from you. I see a nepenthes pitcher plant there. Are you growing it in inert media?! I am so intrigued about the potential for that. I had only moderate luck with my first which I had to leave behind in a move overseas but I’m anxious to add another one. Would love to grow in inert if possible. Thanks!
that's one of the few plants that are in organic media...…..its in sphagnum moss...….Im not happy with its growth, and will be updating it soon....
Rick L. Orchids I have always been told that they’re super fussy and I went with moss too but would love a better way. It never did well at all in the winter so I would lose all the great summer progress. I wonder if it could grow in pumice, small bits which are somewhat popular in Sweden where I am now. I look forward to your take on it all. They’re very fascinating plants and I would love to see one grow well for me. Have a great night!
I am trying to grow in leca but the TDS of leca in distilled water with no fertilizer is between 250 and 400 TDS! I have been soaking the leca in distilled water every day and spilling out the high TDS water once a day for two week. The TDS is still around 90!
So maybe I should try 1/4 inch lava rock?
Hi Rick. I know my dendrobium phalaenopsis love to be potted in lava rock. Do grow very quickly. Nice video. I have a repotting question. The rules of repotting orchids is when new roots or new growth start appearing. I have a large oncidium that is root bound. I can't tell if there is new roots because of her size. Can I repot at any time?
.....thats a great question Blanca......I would wait till I saw a new green growth, starting...then repot.......if you know the variety, some research may tell you more about its growth habits.....the ones I have grow green shoots first, then follow with roots......
Hi Rick! I wish you were on Twitter! This has been a hot topic recently! Me neighbor grows her orchids in soil. Yes soil. And they are constant bloomers. I agree that we have to find what works for each one. I started to get away from bark and into pellets and rocks but I couldnt keep up with the watering (I grow outside). Moving back to half bark half pellets. Thank you for the great videos! (Consider joining Twitter) Happy Growing!
Maria.....thanks......i will look into it....you have to use what works best for you.......they all work, .......but some are better due to your style of growing and environment.....thanks...
I’m wondering why all SVO orchids come potted in soil with a little Perlite... sprinkled with bark chips on top? (novelty Phalaenopsis hybrids)??
I will try lava rock soon . Thank you !
Do you need to wash the lava rock before you repotting your orchids
Hi Rick. I have a question for you. I noticed that you removed the media that the orchid came in, and it was in a clay pot bare rooted. Did you immediately remove the media the orchid came in? I purchased a new orchid the other day. It only has one flower bud open, all the other buds are closed and still needs time to grow. So here is my dilemma, should I take it out of that nasty moss until all flowers open? I am worried of repotting my orchid too soon and loosing the other closed buds to bud blast. Thanks for your time and great video.
re-potting doesn't make them drop buds as much as temp or humidity change.....and the biggest cause is gasses....car exhaust from the ride home, or from ripe fruit near by......can make them drop buds overnight......to answer the question....it varies......look at the roots......if they are in good shape you can let it go a while......if they dont look good.......go ahead and repot.....wont make a difference....if the media changes.....they will drop roots and grow new ones....regardless......great question
Rick L most of the roots look ok. So I will just monitor it and let get used to my environment. Thanks for the reply. I’ll look forward your next videos.
I can echo that, Lorena...out of 30 plus Phals, I could not keep my hands out of the media and repotted all of them immediately...out of all those repots I have only found 2 or 3 buds lost...
Cara Coomer thanks for letting me know your experience. Happy growing :D
Lorena S 👍Hope your future repot goes well, it is very enjoyable..
I'm the same as you, I love mounting! It does require more attention to watering but I love being out there with them and luckily I have the time to be so it works! I only have two pots and they have bark but I'm going to try river rock or gravel. Do you get yours at Home Depot or Lowes or at a local nursery near you? Thank you for your videos, you make topics that I used to find overwhelming more approachable and understandable.
Lisa that's so sweet.....thank you......yes, the stone I use comes from Lowes and Home Depot...
Rick thank you so much for all this info! Please let me ask you something. I just reported a phal in 100% lava rock. I took it out of bark though and it did have awesome roots. Did I understand well that you are saying that all the great roots will die now? I wouldn’t want this to happen. It would be a shame to loose all those roots. Please tell me what you think.
Are those clips premade or do you buy the wire and make it yourself? If you make them, do you have a video showing how?
ua-cam.com/users/edit?o=U&video_id=n5N0TP7UKXg
How often do you water mounts?
………..some can take water everyday...…...but they get a good soak a few times a week.....
Hi Rick from where are you getting the the mountains? I mean the wooden logs
I have a friend Mr Jackson, he finds them in his daily walks and brings them to me....most are from wooded areas, pasture, etc....
Where do you purchase the lava rocks?
…...garden center at Lowes / Home Depot...….bags of Lava rock sold along with the much......
What feeding regimen do you use for your phals year round, Rick?
.........that's hard to say.......I am just now going on 1year having orchids.....so, I'm still learning and figuring out their individual needs....but, Im feeding 125-150ppm of feed once a week for the ones that are growing leaves......less for the ones blooming, ,maybe 50-75ppm..they are getting more P than N.......and flushing in between feeding.....when weather warms up......i will feed more around 200-250ppm...I think phals need less N, and more P......than other orchids....as soon as I can get something locked down,,.......i will talk about, and share it...
Thanks so much Rick. It has been just one year for you? I thought you might have been growing for many years. For just one year you have just amazing plants. Keep up with the great work that you and for putting out regular videos despite your health issues. Thanks a lot
How often do you water with rocks and clay pots?
...once a week, some less....some a more......
I also learned that adding the wire mount is much better than separate stakes wired together.
I'm new to orchids ,is it ok in plastic pot river rock in bottom & then bark ,? I'm in Ohio thank ,Rick enjoy your vedios Rose
My phal loves the expanded clay balls, one of my oncidiums hated it and almost died. Every other plant (non orchid) I have tried with it did badly. I think partly because it's alkaline. I later on tried soaking it for days before hand in a tea and coffee mixture and the 2 oncidiums I put in it are doing fine. I will try river rock next time.
lecca, hydroton, etc........is bad about holding on to nutrients......and hard to flush......they start keeping salts first time they are used....I will say, I get the opposite with mine......they retain nothing .......which is good.......but you need to stay on top of your fertilizing or they can get deficient.......with no reserves..
Yeah I am not a fan of it anymore and will be looking for lava rock or river rock/
I just noticed the pitcher plant, any tips on getting it to produce pitchers?? Mine looks good, but hasn't had pitchers for the last couple years.. Thanks. By the way, Love your orchid videos!
they grow picture's in heat and humidity..........mine stopped growing pictures once it came inside for the winter.....it will start again when it goes outside this spring.....
Thanks Rick
Good info about securing the plant in the pot and thinking about our individual climate. My mini phal had that same compressed fiber plug! I thought it was dirt at first and almost freaked out, but when I was repotting, I noticed it definitely felt foam-like. Bizarre! Do you find that the orchid drops its blooms early after repotting into a different media? Or do some continue to hold the spike? Nearly every time I've had to repot an orchid in bloom, the buds blast or the blooms fade quicker than normal, even if I try my best not to disturb the roots :( I'm wondering if lava rock would work better for me since I live in a colder climate where even bark sometimes remains wet for too long during the winter. Haha totally understand what you mean about "pestering your plants" I do the same :)
Emily, thank you, I think you should repot as soon as you can.......get the plant started on adjusting to its environment asap.........the ones Ive potted dont usually drop blooms.........at least not from the potting.....the main reason i love the lava rock, gravel, river rock is it dries out quicker and the plants dont get root rot........
Beautiful blooms on that phal...I'm glad that you didn't remove the spike! :) I've had good luck so far with lava/river rock...haven't lost a plant yet...my environment is a bit cooler/drier than yours so that is an issue I have to deal with. I have a question - in your experience with growing in this type of media so far, is there any particular variety of orchid that doesn't do as well as others? I know that phals and cattleyas seem to love inert media, as well as dendrobiums. But, I guess a miltoniopsis which prefers a wetter environment wouldn't tend to fare well in lava rock or gravel?
Good afternoon Caroline....no experience with Miltoniopsis.....I was cautious with the Oncidiums I had also......cause they have finer roots and dont like to dry out as much as a Catt or Den....but they have really adapted well........if its an orchid that naturally tree mounts or lives on the ground on.... or among ground litter......I think they would do fine........the finer the gravel....the moister it will stay, you can also use a glazed pot vs a unglazed raw pot........my sherry baby is in a glazed pot for that reason.........great question....
Thank you for this, Caro and Rick....I have two Dendrobiums both new to me, sitting here, womdering what on earth to put them in....Cara
Your Sherry Baby is AWESOME so it really must like the glazed pot! :) If I had to list one con about growing in clay pots (or glazed pots for that matter) it's that you cannot see the roots. An experienced grower like yourself more or less instinctively knows when it's time to water but I'm used to going by the appearance of the roots. What I would really love to see is what the roots look like after they've been growing in lava rock and a clay pot after a year or two. If you ever happen to knock a pot off the shelf and it breaks, please film it. Just so we can see the roots!!!
I would definitely try lava rock...I have three that I'm currently trying to rescue and they have no roots to speak of at this time. They are just kind of sitting on top of some moist pebbles in a plastic cup. But, in the spring (hopefully!) I will be potting them in rock of some sort. I do have a mini dendrobium that loves water culture. It just depends on the individual orchid, I suppose.
Caroline I'm with you on that point, Caro...if I can't see the roots I feel a bit lost...
HI! RICKY YOU ARE RIGHT IT MAKE SENSE NOW I PREFER LAVA ROCK OR ORCHIATA BARK (NOT AS MUCH ) LAVA ROCK SHOULD BE IN A CLAY POT???? I MOSTLY HAVE A PLASTIC WITH HOLES I GOT THEM FROM AMAZON
Just a question could I put my orchids in glass vases with lava rock thanks Pam
Have you done it yet? I'm considering the same.
Wanted to ask u how can u secure a phal to a stake if it doesn’t have a spike?
great question..........this is where you have to get creative......sometimes i can wedge a few pieces of lava rock around it.....or a section of green tie wire......more important for a taller plant that is prone to wobble or rock.....
Rick, I know this question is not related to the subject of this video, forgive me, but what you recommend to do to achieve a better water quality ? I don’t have a RO water system to filtrate mine, and to relay on rain sometimes is unpredictable. Any advice? Many thanks!
Elaine.....Im working on some videos to address that right there.....its the most important point of orchid keeping....testing your tap is the only way to know.....if its not good for orchids......nothing will make it better, or easier to grow with it.... Bottled water is ok, but expensive and not always usable for orchids......manufacture add sodium [salt] for flavor, shelf life and keep bacteria away.....but its sold as spring water, or purified water........test it.....only way to know theses days....
Just ordered my ph and tds meters and will buy one of those pitchers to filter the water . Ph should be around 5.8-6 right? What about the ppm? Many thanks !
This is a very informative video, thank you, Rick! I am sterilizing the lava rock I recently purchased today, then letting it dry out and store in a container like you do. Good info on trying the re-pot on one plant at a time. Normally I'd go all out and re-pot all four at once. Does it matter what size of pot you re-pot into? (I've gone an inch larger at a time with most houseplants in the past, how do you determine new pot size with orchids)?
..........great question..........in bark or moss you need to be cautious, cause they dont dry out fast and can start to rot........with this media.....you can put a small plant in a big pot and it wont hurt...you can oversize them if you know they will grow fast and fill them up.......
I had so much fun with all my items on hand, following your directions. Made an offset pot clip, snapped on nice and tight. Placed large lava on the bottom and fit pieces in around cleaned up roots. Will let it rest for a week or so before fertilizing, right? It looks pretty happy in it's new pot and the lava rock. I'm interested to see how this works. Have a nice day, Rick!
Oh and you mentioned leaving the orchid bare root for a few days before repotting? After you remove old media do you mist the roots? Would like more details on that, my roots die because I never let them heal :((((
…….no I prefer to let them stay dry to heal over for 48hrs or so....less chance of infections getting started......Roots don't heal or don't grow back fast.... due to the lack of calcium around them......after you repot a orchid …..after a few days give it a good soak of water with calmag......its like a tonic to them....they will start growing roots fast..
@@rickl.orchids I read this article that says "to soak roots in a solution of root growth stimulant for a few hours and then allowing it to dry somewhat for a couple of weeks out of the mix before repotting, it should help initiate sufficient new root growth. During this period the plant should be misted on clear, sunny mornings, but not watered otherwise. This reduction in water encourages new root growth." Not sure if it applies to all orchids but it says so for the Psychopsis orchid. carter-and-holmes.com/oc16-oncidium-papilio
@@rickl.orchids How much ppm of calmag for the soaking after repotting? Sorry I know Im annoying but its seems like youre the only who has the answers im looking for :)
I found that Lecca balls holds a lot of salts, and they need to be cleaned, which is a pain
Hi Rick, I was wondering if you could take a look at some pictures of my orchids suffering from deficiencies. I'm not sure how to post a picture on here. Do you have an email address that I could send them to?
Josh, happy to help.....go to my channel header, click "about"....then click "send Message..........send me a message and I'll give you a email to use.....
Do you need to water them everyday?
not at all.......when I water,.... I soak them.......then they are good for several days.
Thank you for good information. I will plant my orchids in lava rocks since now. I always had problem with root rot, and pseudobulb rot before.
Here l go to Low’s for a bag of lava. Thanks !
👏🏼 👍🏻 😃
A couple of questions Rick. I noticed many of your Phals are planted in clay pots. Don't you find the roots stick to the pots making repotting a challenge? Do you use Epsom salts or cal mag on your nepenthes? Thanks. Jack from Victoria Canada
great questions Jack...........your correct.....the phals wrap rots all over the pots........but.....since I use lava rock, pea gravel, river rock.......they never need re-potting unless they out grow the pots....the media doesn't go bad or decay, like bark or moss......so re-potting in spring or every few years due to the bark going bad....doesn't happen.......for the few that I have upgraded into bigger pots........after a good soak.....I tap the pot with hammer and a good bit of it falls away....they grow new roots very quickly....2nd question.......no Ive never used calmag or ES on nepenthes......have you experience with it?......
No I have not tried either on the nepenthes,I may look into it further
The lava rock is so easy !
super simple......and they love it...
I miss you Rick
Do you need to sanitize the rock or lava rock? Got lava rock yesterday to repot today so I need to know? Thank you Rick ❤️ Later that day, I found the answer in another video in someone asking this question read answer u gave them. Just rinse with garden hose! Best of the day to you and Jan ❤️ by the way I have a sister named Jan the best sis there is 😀
…….your correct...….just rinse and plant them...…...the comments are a treasure trove of information...
Thank ya 😃 🦸🏼♂️
Can i grow phalaenopsis orchid indoor in led lights. Phalaenopsis in spike.
yes......but remember, LED lights are intense and there are different light spectrum for blooming and for growing......research them
I was thinking bad pot idea. All the roots that come out the holes are likely to get damaged with the repot. Then it hit me why repot? It's not bark or moss it's full of rocks that won't rot. Something mite need to be dun in I don't know ten years from now. By then they probably won't be your plants anymore.
Hi Rick!! What kind of wood can I buy to make mounts?
Thank you! Laura
I have mounts on red oak, white oak, hickory, cedar, cypress, heart pine....stay away from trees that have stones/pits in their fruit...ie..peach , plum....they give off chemicals to keep other plants from growing around them...great question....thank you
Thank you so much!
Thank you
i just bought 3 kg of lava rock.. i am gonna put you,re ways to the test with 3 phals..:)
I bough 20 plants but they are slowly living me , living in Canada, out - inside 23c !
Shahila Siddiqui n