Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 23:06:42 -0600, Susan Erickson wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 19:46:41 GMT, "K Barrett"
wrote:

I've been using a large tub used to mix small batches of concrete for a
potting tub. Holds a lot of medium. Also makes a nice tray to cart potting
materials around in. (Stakes, bark mix, wires, pots, cutters, torch - you
know... all the "stuff") I used to put this stuff in a kitty litter pan,
but it just wasn't large enough.

K Barrett


A second "cement tub" makes a great waste basket. Unpot over it.
Dump all the old mix in, now you can cart it away at the end of
the day. Unless your one who uses "used orchid bark" for ground
cover mulch. In which case you only need the waste basket to
help you move the new "mulch" to the correct area of the garden.

I used to have a potting bench that used these tubs for drawers.
Top one was for the waste basket - the bench had a stuff hole so
you could wipe everything in to like a cook does with the
vegetable scraps. Second drawer was the current mix. Third was
the mounts that were waiting for a new plant. It gave way to 3
shelves of Paphs.... So now the mix is in Cat litter buckets.
One for moss, one for peanuts (bottom of the pots or slatted
basket fill), sponge rock, CHC (2 sizes) Charcoal,.. [Several
years of cats and a saving style - what can I say.] The handle
makes it easy to move. Reasonable to use in a tight area. Of
course there are the big keepers else where.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Good stuff Sue, Another good container for waste is one of those
large kitchen trash bins with the step on peddle that opens the lid.
I also liked your idea of using newspaper?(I think you mentioned
this to me at one time)??
Cheers Wendy (Wondering when this post is going to drop off??)

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 07:44:05 -0700, Wendy wrote:
Good stuff Sue, Another good container for waste is one of those
large kitchen trash bins with the step on peddle that opens the lid.
I also liked your idea of using newspaper?(I think you mentioned
this to me at one time)??
Cheers Wendy (Wondering when this post is going to drop off??)

Yes, just remember to open the papers and flatten from the middle
of each section. It makes it easy to clean the bench between
plants. Just grab the 4 corners (1 or 2 sheets) and you can haul
away the litter. The next layer of paper is clean and ready for
you to pot up the plant. Any spillage can be picked up and
reused - this is after all a clean surface. When your done and
all spillage is recovered. You can unpot on this sheet and take
the trash and used sheet away.

That way you are always making divisions and potting up on a
clean surface.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving
old cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph
mix...Hmmmm

I reuse Aliflor and the rock I use for Catts, after an overnight chlorine
soak and then a thorough rinse. Bark or CHC, when they come out of the old
pot, are basically shot. The mulch suggestions are good ones.

Diana

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving
old cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph
mix...Hmmmm

I reuse Aliflor and the rock I use for Catts, after an overnight chlorine
soak and then a thorough rinse. Bark or CHC, when they come out of the old
pot, are basically shot. The mulch suggestions are good ones.

Diana

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

Have you ever broken a tag trying to shove it back in the pot?
Well if you slide the tag in at an angle it goes in nicely,
even passes the ridge on some pots.
Cheers Wendy (Still wondering how long this thread will stay?)


On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 16:57:50 -0700, wendy7 wrote:

For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan.
I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean
enough to use.

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 16:57:50 -0700, "wendy7"
wrote:

For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan.
I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean
enough to use.

Your suggestion up here brought another to mind. I keep several
spray bottles in the gh. One is water, one physan, one alcohol
and sometimes one for Orthene, lately it has been Ray's Shine
product instead. When I see a problem I can grab the appropriate
bottle. If I have any worry about the cure - I can rinse with
water. I also have a bottle of cinnamon powder.

I repot with kitchen rubber gloves on - too many slivers from
potting mix.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting
method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep
an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful.

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting
method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep
an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful.

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

Good ideas Tennis & Sue, keep 'em coming folks.

--
Cheers Wendy

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tennis maynard wrote:
I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting
method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to
keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very
helpful.

Washing pots? was Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

K, your query here & the dishwasher user, made me think?
We just recently replaced our old dishwasher, it still worked but the racks
were
rusty (put rust marks on my dishes). The cost of a new dishwasher was a
little
more that the cost of the new racks!!! I wish we'd kept it, could have
hooked it
up in my potting area (no hot water but could use bleach).
I have the same "never ending cycle" You are not alone.*g*
--
Cheers Wendy

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K Barrett wrote:
Anyone have a tip for a quick way to wash out pots? I bought a bunch
of new pots 6" (or larger) for plants that had out grown their pots
and wouldn't ya know it? Now I need a bunch of 3", 4" 5" etc pots
for other plants to move up into. So I'm stuck washing out those old
pots. I get all happy that I have a stock of nice clean pots, sit
down and do some repotting then lo and behold! I got all these dang
dirty pots again!! LOL!! Its a never ending cycle.

I had an epiphany the other day. I came to realize that I had so
dang many old dirty pots (DNODP) that I didn't have to keep any pot
that was a pain in the neck to clean. I recycled any with edges that
grime congregates in, and kept only ones with whatever shape was
straightsided and easy to clean. So that was my only contribution to
making pot cleaning easier.

I tend to like the square plastic pots, only because they don't have
the lip azalea pots have (and tags get stuck on). Plus you can put
more on a bench.

K Barrett

"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:B_WIc.71181$IQ4.45041@attbi_s02...
I've been using a large tub used to mix small batches of concrete
for a potting tub. Holds a lot of medium. Also makes a nice tray
to cart potting materials around in. (Stakes, bark mix, wires, pots,
cutters, torch - you know... all the "stuff") I used to put this
stuff in a kitty litter pan, but it just wasn't large enough.

K Barrett

"Orchidguy" wrote in message
. ..
very good idea!!!!!!!!!!
Todd
"wendy7" wrote in message
news:0o%Hc.312$f9.280@fed1read02...
For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan.
I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean
enough to use.

--
Cheers Wendy

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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

Good ideas Tennis & Sue, keep 'em coming folks.

--
Cheers Wendy

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tennis maynard wrote:
I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting
method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to
keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very
helpful.

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

In article , Susan Erickson wrote:
If you can find any telephone wire - even throw away pieces 8 or
so inches are very useful. Strip the outer case and it will
contain at least 4 fine wires that are plastic coated. They work
well to hold something on to a mount. Hold a stem against a
bamboo stake into a wire support for shipment. They can add that
needed bit of tension during a show set up. But they are often
striped orange and white or solid orange, not exactly blending
into the background.

Wiring for offices often has more wires per cable and they are
wound into a "pair" set. Keep your eyes open. This is the kind
of cable that is often inexactly measured and large hunks thrown
out when someone picks up after an install.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Don't overlook cabling from computer installation..... I've got some of both
phone and computer wire. Both work great.

Chris

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving old
cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph mix...Hmmmm ,
perhaps , but I'm not so sure, and if you guys have any thoughts on this?
as it sounds frugal to me maybe I'll give it a shot , and boil up some
bark...hehehehe
Bright days & good growing
Todd
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
nk.net...
You know what else works for removing roots? A plastic plant tag,
preferably a fairly rigid one.

Diana

"wendy7" wrote in message
news:bevKc.21279$9I.9316@okepread02...
Good one Elinor, I may even have a palette knife in my box of oil
painting
goodies. It would
probably be easier to buy one than find mine as it has been packed away
in
the attic for a score!
Wondering if the palette would work on clay pots?
--
Cheers Wendy

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ARIET B wrote:
There have been SO many good ideas here! But I hope you ALL have
used this one.
Go to the art store, and buy a palette knife. It is just a little
thing with a VERY flexible blade.
When you repot- first soak your plant in a pan/bucket(whatever is
appropriate for your plant) of water for a couple hours. I have
found that "overnight" is not too much, but it IS a bit scary. Then
when ready to dump the plant out- use the palette knife to gently
remove the roots from the pot. Works like magic- you can just slide
the thing under to "stuck-on" roots, and they come right off.
No home should be without one.
When you tire of your orchids, you can slop artist's paints-
acrylic/oil onto a palette, and then apply it to the canvas, just
like Van Gogh.
Elinor

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

Wendy, you've created a lovely monster!

Diana

Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
 

Wendy, you've created a lovely monster!

Diana