Hi,

Start by contacting antec labs (http://www.ladyslipper.com/) and ask
them the queston abiut flasking conditions.

That said, here is how we handle our ghost orchid - our young ghost
orchid which was given to me by an orchid judge in south florida. We
have had it some 18 months and it likes high humidity, so keep it in a
small fishtank or something you can (largely) enclose. Hang paper
towels soaked in water on one side of the small fishtank and that will
keep the humidity high. My small tank is about 5" by 5" or so. I also
soak a tissue in water and lay it directly on top of the ghost
orchid's roots and let them get real green (about 30 minutes or so).
It does not like bright light and it does like to be fed weekly or so,
i.e. "dyna-gro" + "pro-tekt" + "superthrive". You can see photos of
ours by going to www.pottingsource.com, click on LINKS and then click
on HOW TO BUILD AN ORCHID SHELF and then scroll down to see a link for
the ghost orchid. Ours was small also but is definiely growing as I
see the roots getting longer over time. But keep in mind - High
humidity, they are found in the everglades where the humidity is often
near 100%. I try to keep mine abive 70% at a minimium. Also, avoid
direct sunlight - too bright for them - they like shade.

The photosynthesis happens in the roots and thus no leaves are needed,
just so you know.

Joe


On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 15:35:55 -0400, "Al" wrote:

A friend of mine just gave me a huge bunch of mother flasks of various
orchids and Polyrrhiza lindenii was among them. It is planted in very
skimpy media just a few mm deep and they are just protocorms with very
little root development. He says it is standard 1/2 strength Phytotech P668
with charcoal. He says this species for him never develop roots and
normally die as protocorms. They are nice plump and deep green at the
moment. A few have roots less than 1/4 inch.

I would very much like to avoid the same fate with these and was wondering
if anybody could tell me if it is the media itself that is the problem or
just the amount of media. I will probably try to replate these onto a
deeper media bed, and probably use a clear/charcoal-less mixture soon but
other than that I am clueless....