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#1
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another newbie
Hi there,
Yup, first orchid. I'm totally new to orchids, but have experience with plants (bonsai, carnivorous, other exotic houseplants etc). Anyway, I was hoping for some practical advice from the knowledgeable, hence my post. I bought it yesterday, and it is all of about 1" tall. It currently has two leaves that are still not completely opened. The tag describes it as 'Bletilla - Penway Rainbow' (presumably an artificial hybrid). I'm intending on growing this as a houseplant as I live in London, England, where things such as gardens are a rare commodity! So, any advice anyone can give on raising this plant - it's likes and dislikes would be appreciated. I've currently got it situated near a west-facing window, it's potted in a smallish black plastic pot (was told small pot = good), bark compost, gravel and humidity tray.. I've started watering with filtered water (London water has a gH of around 14), and am planning on using a weak fertilizer (.25 strength apparently?) This all seem sensible so far? A couple of other newbie questions - being aware that there are 1000's of different species and hybrids galore, is the propagation method of orchids similar for each species, or vastly different? For instance, how easy would it be to eventually propagate my Bletilla, and what methods of propagations are the most feasible? Also, any good books on orchids, particularly on houseplant varieties and their care? Many thanks in advance for your time!! :-) Rich (the proud new orchid grower) |
#2
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another newbie
Hey Rich, welcome to the addiction. I can not help you with your
questions as I do not grow Bletilla nor do I propagate orchids. But I wanted to say hi & welcome to our group. Karen Rich wrote: Hi there, Yup, first orchid. I'm totally new to orchids, but have experience with plants (bonsai, carnivorous, other exotic houseplants etc). Anyway, I was hoping for some practical advice from the knowledgeable, hence my post. I bought it yesterday, and it is all of about 1" tall. It currently has two leaves that are still not completely opened. The tag describes it as 'Bletilla - Penway Rainbow' (presumably an artificial hybrid). I'm intending on growing this as a houseplant as I live in London, England, where things such as gardens are a rare commodity! So, any advice anyone can give on raising this plant - it's likes and dislikes would be appreciated. I've currently got it situated near a west-facing window, it's potted in a smallish black plastic pot (was told small pot = good), bark compost, gravel and humidity tray.. I've started watering with filtered water (London water has a gH of around 14), and am planning on using a weak fertilizer (.25 strength apparently?) This all seem sensible so far? A couple of other newbie questions - being aware that there are 1000's of different species and hybrids galore, is the propagation method of orchids similar for each species, or vastly different? For instance, how easy would it be to eventually propagate my Bletilla, and what methods of propagations are the most feasible? Also, any good books on orchids, particularly on houseplant varieties and their care? Many thanks in advance for your time!! :-) Rich (the proud new orchid grower) |
#3
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another newbie
Rich,
What you are doing sounds reasonable so far as I know. Just as a note, Bletillas do go dormant and require a cool and drier rest period during the winter. It sounds like yours is awakening from it's winter nap nicely. I have one that I grow outdoors but very rarely get flowers on it as I live in Florida where it is a bit warm for it. Still, it grows green and lush for me. Just wanted to let you know to expect it to die back tothe soil in winter and that it will need coolness later on. Maybe others can tell you more. As for the propagation, orchids are propagated by divisions, as orchid seed is different from other seeds and virtually impossible for most hobbyist growers to germinate successfully. Your Bletilla, like other terrestrial orchids, grows from an underground stem. When the plant is large enough, it can be divided to make more as any other rhizomatous plant can be, by cutting the rhizome. Hope this helps somewhat. If I have made any misstatements, please feel free to correct me. Ray "Rich" wrote in message ... Hi there, Yup, first orchid. I'm totally new to orchids, but have experience with plants (bonsai, carnivorous, other exotic houseplants etc). Anyway, I was hoping for some practical advice from the knowledgeable, hence my post. I bought it yesterday, and it is all of about 1" tall. It currently has two leaves that are still not completely opened. The tag describes it as 'Bletilla - Penway Rainbow' (presumably an artificial hybrid). I'm intending on growing this as a houseplant as I live in London, England, where things such as gardens are a rare commodity! So, any advice anyone can give on raising this plant - it's likes and dislikes would be appreciated. I've currently got it situated near a west-facing window, it's potted in a smallish black plastic pot (was told small pot = good), bark compost, gravel and humidity tray.. I've started watering with filtered water (London water has a gH of around 14), and am planning on using a weak fertilizer (.25 strength apparently?) This all seem sensible so far? A couple of other newbie questions - being aware that there are 1000's of different species and hybrids galore, is the propagation method of orchids similar for each species, or vastly different? For instance, how easy would it be to eventually propagate my Bletilla, and what methods of propagations are the most feasible? Also, any good books on orchids, particularly on houseplant varieties and their care? Many thanks in advance for your time!! :-) Rich (the proud new orchid grower) |
#4
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another newbie
Karen, Ray,
Thanks for your replies and warm welcomes to this group! This definately provides me with a bit more insight.. So, Ray, presumably Bletillas enjoy a slightly cooler climate? Any idea where they're from? Karen, Ray - Bletillas doesn't seem like the MOST popular species - are there a few 'newbie' species or popular ones that are worth me looking at? (particularly ones that are happy indoors because of my 'lack of garden constraint'). TIA, Rich "Rich" wrote in message ... Hi there, Yup, first orchid. I'm totally new to orchids, but have experience with plants (bonsai, carnivorous, other exotic houseplants etc). Anyway, I was hoping for some practical advice from the knowledgeable, hence my post. I bought it yesterday, and it is all of about 1" tall. It currently has two leaves that are still not completely opened. The tag describes it as 'Bletilla - Penway Rainbow' (presumably an artificial hybrid). I'm intending on growing this as a houseplant as I live in London, England, where things such as gardens are a rare commodity! So, any advice anyone can give on raising this plant - it's likes and dislikes would be appreciated. I've currently got it situated near a west-facing window, it's potted in a smallish black plastic pot (was told small pot = good), bark compost, gravel and humidity tray.. I've started watering with filtered water (London water has a gH of around 14), and am planning on using a weak fertilizer (.25 strength apparently?) This all seem sensible so far? A couple of other newbie questions - being aware that there are 1000's of different species and hybrids galore, is the propagation method of orchids similar for each species, or vastly different? For instance, how easy would it be to eventually propagate my Bletilla, and what methods of propagations are the most feasible? Also, any good books on orchids, particularly on houseplant varieties and their care? Many thanks in advance for your time!! :-) Rich (the proud new orchid grower) |
#5
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another newbie
According to the RHS manual of Orchids, bletillas are native to eastern
Asia, but that doesn't narrow it down much. In the US, they are supposedly hardy in zone 7, which stretches from the Jersey Shore, down the east coast through VA and NC, then starts to swing west through the northern halves of SC, GA, AL, MS, up into AR, the southern end of OK, and so on - not exactly the coolest parts of the country, but not the hottest either. In terms of commercial sales, phalaenopsis is the most popular orchid. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Rich" wrote in message ... Karen, Ray, Thanks for your replies and warm welcomes to this group! This definately provides me with a bit more insight.. So, Ray, presumably Bletillas enjoy a slightly cooler climate? Any idea where they're from? Karen, Ray - Bletillas doesn't seem like the MOST popular species - are there a few 'newbie' species or popular ones that are worth me looking at? (particularly ones that are happy indoors because of my 'lack of garden constraint'). TIA, Rich "Rich" wrote in message ... Hi there, Yup, first orchid. I'm totally new to orchids, but have experience with plants (bonsai, carnivorous, other exotic houseplants etc). Anyway, I was hoping for some practical advice from the knowledgeable, hence my post. I bought it yesterday, and it is all of about 1" tall. It currently has two leaves that are still not completely opened. The tag describes it as 'Bletilla - Penway Rainbow' (presumably an artificial hybrid). I'm intending on growing this as a houseplant as I live in London, England, where things such as gardens are a rare commodity! So, any advice anyone can give on raising this plant - it's likes and dislikes would be appreciated. I've currently got it situated near a west-facing window, it's potted in a smallish black plastic pot (was told small pot = good), bark compost, gravel and humidity tray.. I've started watering with filtered water (London water has a gH of around 14), and am planning on using a weak fertilizer (.25 strength apparently?) This all seem sensible so far? A couple of other newbie questions - being aware that there are 1000's of different species and hybrids galore, is the propagation method of orchids similar for each species, or vastly different? For instance, how easy would it be to eventually propagate my Bletilla, and what methods of propagations are the most feasible? Also, any good books on orchids, particularly on houseplant varieties and their care? Many thanks in advance for your time!! :-) Rich (the proud new orchid grower) |
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