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Volcanic Lava Rock
Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the
block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost
anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Of course not. But I'm just surprised that volcanic lava rock is not too
rough for orchid roots. I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots, but apparently not. I used to use them as a top dressing on my regular non-orchid flowering plants, but never thought that they would be of value as orchid medium. I do wonder though about the lava rock water retention capabilities, oh... and what about fertilizer build up... any clue? -M "Ray" wrote in message ... I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Of course not. But I'm just surprised that volcanic lava rock is not too
rough for orchid roots. I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots, but apparently not. I used to use them as a top dressing on my regular non-orchid flowering plants, but never thought that they would be of value as orchid medium. I do wonder though about the lava rock water retention capabilities, oh... and what about fertilizer build up... any clue? -M "Ray" wrote in message ... I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Of course not. But I'm just surprised that volcanic lava rock is not too
rough for orchid roots. I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots, but apparently not. I used to use them as a top dressing on my regular non-orchid flowering plants, but never thought that they would be of value as orchid medium. I do wonder though about the lava rock water retention capabilities, oh... and what about fertilizer build up... any clue? -M "Ray" wrote in message ... I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Of course not. But I'm just surprised that volcanic lava rock is not too
rough for orchid roots. I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots, but apparently not. I used to use them as a top dressing on my regular non-orchid flowering plants, but never thought that they would be of value as orchid medium. I do wonder though about the lava rock water retention capabilities, oh... and what about fertilizer build up... any clue? -M "Ray" wrote in message ... I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Of course not. But I'm just surprised that volcanic lava rock is not too
rough for orchid roots. I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots, but apparently not. I used to use them as a top dressing on my regular non-orchid flowering plants, but never thought that they would be of value as orchid medium. I do wonder though about the lava rock water retention capabilities, oh... and what about fertilizer build up... any clue? -M "Ray" wrote in message ... I wouldn't say it's a "norm," but it is yet another example that almost anything CAN be used. The important thing to understand is that just because person "A" is successful with something has absolutely no bearing on its applicability to person "B's" growing conditions. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . . . . . . . . . . . "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Just returned from an orchid "date" :). Spent some time with my down the block neighbor who grows orchid as well. She just finished repotting her orchids and this year is the third year that she is adding volcanic lava rock to her mix. She grows mostly Catt hybrids, miniature Phal species, Dendrobium species, and other hybrid orchids that most orchid growers own. She says that ever since she started adding the rocks to her mix, her orchids improved in appearance and flowering abilities. She uses no precise measurements, just tosses it togeter with whatever medium she is using, about 1:1 ratio. I was wondering if this is an accepted "norm" for indoor orchid growing? Does anyone have experience growing orchids in such a fashion, please share. Mariana |
Volcanic Lava Rock
On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 11:59:53 -0800, GrlIntrpted wrote
(in message ): I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots I've bought a few plants with a smooth, lightweight, striate, yellowish tan rock from 1-2 cms in size mixed in the medium. It doesn't look like LECA. I've never seen it packaged for sale. Anyone recognize this description? Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 11:59:53 -0800, GrlIntrpted wrote
(in message ): I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots I've bought a few plants with a smooth, lightweight, striate, yellowish tan rock from 1-2 cms in size mixed in the medium. It doesn't look like LECA. I've never seen it packaged for sale. Anyone recognize this description? Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II
-- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "tbell" wrote in message nd.net... On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 11:59:53 -0800, GrlIntrpted wrote (in message ): I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots I've bought a few plants with a smooth, lightweight, striate, yellowish tan rock from 1-2 cms in size mixed in the medium. It doesn't look like LECA. I've never seen it packaged for sale. Anyone recognize this description? Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II
-- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "tbell" wrote in message nd.net... On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 11:59:53 -0800, GrlIntrpted wrote (in message ): I held the rocks in my hands, they're pretty rough, uneven, and I thought that they'd surely damage the orchid roots I've bought a few plants with a smooth, lightweight, striate, yellowish tan rock from 1-2 cms in size mixed in the medium. It doesn't look like LECA. I've never seen it packaged for sale. Anyone recognize this description? Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:21:12 -0800, Ray wrote
(in message ): Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out, though I'd expect anything made of diatoms to be pretty gritty, and this is quite smooth. Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Tom,
The diatomite Joe DiDomenico sent me was very smooth, and the dust on the surface gave it almost a talc-like feel. Remember that diatomite is crushed, calcined muds of fresh-water diatoms, not the washed shells of marine diatoms we see for filtration or horticultural use. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "tbell" wrote in message nd.net... On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:21:12 -0800, Ray wrote (in message ): Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out, though I'd expect anything made of diatoms to be pretty gritty, and this is quite smooth. Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Tom,
The diatomite Joe DiDomenico sent me was very smooth, and the dust on the surface gave it almost a talc-like feel. Remember that diatomite is crushed, calcined muds of fresh-water diatoms, not the washed shells of marine diatoms we see for filtration or horticultural use. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "tbell" wrote in message nd.net... On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:21:12 -0800, Ray wrote (in message ): Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out, though I'd expect anything made of diatoms to be pretty gritty, and this is quite smooth. Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
Volcanic Lava Rock
Tom,
The diatomite Joe DiDomenico sent me was very smooth, and the dust on the surface gave it almost a talc-like feel. Remember that diatomite is crushed, calcined muds of fresh-water diatoms, not the washed shells of marine diatoms we see for filtration or horticultural use. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "tbell" wrote in message nd.net... On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 14:21:12 -0800, Ray wrote (in message ): Sounds like diatomite, a/k/a/ Dyna-Rok II Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out, though I'd expect anything made of diatoms to be pretty gritty, and this is quite smooth. Tom Walnut Creek, CA To reply by e-mail, please remove APPENDIX |
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