You know, the main reason they plant them in stones is because it's heavy and those little plastic pots won't tip over.

Jim

I sure know that now! Generally, I look at a new plant in it's pot and make an assessment ...will the media break down right away???? is the plant in bloom/bud/sheath???? I've learned (the hard way) that anything planted in gravel is just like anything planted in sphagnum......BAD, BAD....BAD!!!!

Jim, Do you really think that's the reason? If you look at the habitats some of them come from, it makes sense. Unfortunately, we tend to think the gravel drains faster... NOT true! The tipping is an issue, and shipping is outlandish! SBOE has started the gravel trend too. I think that's one of the things I liked about the Motes video, the clay pots are more stable, and I don't have hanging space like some of you do. I've got a few that are going to be attached to the wire shelves if I don't move them soon.

Yes, Carol, Jim Krull told me that himself. They wouldn't ship orchids that way but for the greenhouse and for hauling them to shows, this is what they do. They don't tip over and rock and plastic are cheaper than bark and clay pots.

Now I apologize for this repeat but I think the Cattleya [C.] purpurata f. flammea X self has aged a bit and deserves another round of pics.



Jim

Repeat away! It's a winner!

Those have been magnificent flowers, Jim.

I love the last one, fading to almost white there. You can show me those pictures every day, Jim. How can you get tired of looking at a beautiful flower?

Jim, for some reason those pictures reminded me of a ballet. I can just see graceful arms swaying like those petals.

Gorgeous Jim! Elaine. I never get tired of looking at beautiful flowers!

They are just gorgeous, Jim!

It is gorgeous! my kind of purpurata!

I had bought a couple of Gongoras from Ecuagenera in February. I thought this one here is flaveola, but looking at pictures, I am not sure. But I like it.


And this small Cymbidium Amazing 'Marlow Orchids' likes to bloom at this time of year for me. The tiny plant never adds much growth in my hands, but it hangs in there and blooms.


Cute Tolumnia waving in the breeze

Your little pink Cym is a real beauty, Ursula. Far superior to mine which grow foliage like crazy, are huge and lush and never bloom. That's what Cyms do in Florida. I've even bought some so-called "heat tolerant" varieties and not one single bloom this year. Seven large, healthy plants.

This winter I have a plan for them, though. I'm going to line 'em up like they're ready for a firing squad against my north-facing wall and get them as cold as I possibly can. Might even water them with some ice cubes for a while . . . well, that would be orchid abuse but the idea is to chill them. If the weather cooperates just a little bit, maybe I'll get lucky next spring . .

All of my Cyms are in large pots under a big live oak. In the summer I drag them into the shade and in November I drag them into the sun. Seems to work for me.

Jim

Elaine and Ursula...when I had a lot of Cymbidiums here in Georgia, I would leave mine outside during the winter under shade cloth. This little area was on the south side of my greenhouse. I use to let mine stay out has long as the temps did not drop in the 20s. The shade cloth would protect them from frost here. I did this also when I lived a little bit more south, then I do now. I have two small Cyms that I am growing now. They are a few years from blooming size. I will decide then if I want to try and grow them the same way. Go luck to both of you.

I've been using your method for the last couple of years, Jim and last year I got one bloom stalk on one plant. This year, nothing. You're maybe a little bit colder in winter than I am, though.

It was a VERY mild and late winter this year, so that may also be somewhat to blame, but I think I'm going to try for more winter chilling before giving them some sun next spring. After that, if no flowers are forthcoming I'm going to give you all my Cyms to see if they'll perform for you. Then I can just enjoy your pictures . .

Always room for another Cym. What are you feeding them?

Jim

Dynamite in early spring, and a handful of alfalfa pellets every few months for micronutrients. Plus they get a spray of soluble fert when I spray everybody else.

Today I sprayed everybody thoroughly with Potassium nitrate and Epsom salts. Now it's finally going to rain and wash it all off, though.

Yes, the skies opened here right at 3:00 PM and it just quit. We had the thunder, lightening and wind to go with it. It sure looks like summer.

Jim

Please send some of that wet stuff north! We are SO dry! I'm actually hoping that 'Colin' forms and brings us some.