I have a Phal and it's little roots are growing out the holes on the bottom
of the plastic container. Should I bother replanting or just leave well enuf
alone. The rest do not look as if there is any problem.

Betsy wrote:

I have a Phal and it's little roots are growing out the holes on the bottom
of the plastic container. Should I bother replanting or just leave well enuf
alone. The rest do not look as if there is any problem.


If you haven't repotted it in the last year or so, now is a good
time. Phals will start sending up flower spikes soon (I have lots, and
my phals aren't even that happy), and it is best to not repot something
in spike. Repotting now has nothing to do with roots escaping the
bottom. That is a good sign, don't repot just because of that...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Hey Rob,

What's the update on the Greenhouse? Are you in yet?

Gene


"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
Betsy wrote:

I have a Phal and it's little roots are growing out the holes on the
bottom
of the plastic container. Should I bother replanting or just leave well
enuf
alone. The rest do not look as if there is any problem.


If you haven't repotted it in the last year or so, now is a good
time. Phals will start sending up flower spikes soon (I have lots, and
my phals aren't even that happy), and it is best to not repot something
in spike. Repotting now has nothing to do with roots escaping the
bottom. That is a good sign, don't repot just because of that...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Hey Rob,

What's the update on the Greenhouse? Are you in yet?

Gene


"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
Betsy wrote:

I have a Phal and it's little roots are growing out the holes on the
bottom
of the plastic container. Should I bother replanting or just leave well
enuf
alone. The rest do not look as if there is any problem.


If you haven't repotted it in the last year or so, now is a good
time. Phals will start sending up flower spikes soon (I have lots, and
my phals aren't even that happy), and it is best to not repot something
in spike. Repotting now has nothing to do with roots escaping the
bottom. That is a good sign, don't repot just because of that...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Gene Schurg wrote:

Hey Rob,

What's the update on the Greenhouse? Are you in yet?


Plants are in, but a lot of them are sitting on the floor (well,
dirt... still don't have a floor). I have the main vent hooked up to an
extension cord running from the garage, and a couple of kerosene
heaters. So far it hasn't gotten below 40 in there. I added a bigger
jet engine heater last night, trying to keep it at 55. The phals may or
may not make it (although they are all spiking like crazy...). Some
got cooked before I could get the shade cloth up. I'm going to lose a
fair number of plants (the cycnoches are all mush - too cold), but such
is life. I'll get more.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!). Of course I'm going out of town in
two weeks, so who knows if that will happen before the snow flies. If I
could measure properly, I'd have the electric service installed already
(I've bought two too short cables so far... Still need another 15
feet). I probably won't get the water tanks in the ground this year,
and I probably won't have much of a floor either. I'll be happy to get
enough electrical circuits run to work the vents and furnaces, and get
the plants up off the floor. That is my new goal for thanksgiving...

Anybody who wants a tutorial in the art of not getting things done
in time for winter, feel free to come over to my house... *grin* On
the plus side, I have a greenhouse kitten. One just showed up the other
day while I was working. Cute tuxedo pattern, long hair, very skinny,
and very happy to see people. Trying to find it a new home, but for now
it is adding a little extra warmth to the greenhouse.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

dd wrote:


Congrats on the little kitty! He'll bring you good luck if you keep
him. Actually, cats in one's growing area ARE useful--if you've got
invisible pests that secrete honeydew, the cat's fur will stick to the
honeydew, alerting you to the problem. Hope the little fellow has a
cozy bed for winter nights.


Of course I hope that it isn't so cold in there that it needs a nice
warm bed for winter nights... Main problem with the kitten is that she
insists on being underfoot. Which is kind of dangerous when working on
ladders and moving wheelbarrows full of gravel around... I have
steadfastly refused to name the animal, since once I do it will be ours
for good. Still trying to find a home for it.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

I lent them out and they have not been returned.

Look into a block and tackle system of pulleys to make lighter work of those
heavy heaters.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).

Al, can he borrow a wench or two???
--
Reka

This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it!
http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html



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I lent them out and they have not been returned.

Look into a block and tackle system of pulleys to make lighter work of those
heavy heaters.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).

Al, can he borrow a wench or two???
--
Reka

This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it!
http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.776 / Virus Database: 523 - Release Date: 12.10.04

Al wrote:

I lent them out and they have not been returned.

Look into a block and tackle system of pulleys to make lighter work of those
heavy heaters.



I got the furnace up with a combination of block and tackles and two
of my taller friends. Now I just need to run the plumbing, get the
propane tank installed, and plug it in. I did buy a 'turbo' heater
early last week. It is like a jet engine - burns kerosene, diesel, fuel
oil, fingers... Whatever you throw at it at 115k BTU. Not bad as a backup.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).


Al, can he borrow a wench or two???



Can I get a beer wench to go along with the heater wench?

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Al wrote:

I lent them out and they have not been returned.

Look into a block and tackle system of pulleys to make lighter work of those
heavy heaters.



I got the furnace up with a combination of block and tackles and two
of my taller friends. Now I just need to run the plumbing, get the
propane tank installed, and plug it in. I did buy a 'turbo' heater
early last week. It is like a jet engine - burns kerosene, diesel, fuel
oil, fingers... Whatever you throw at it at 115k BTU. Not bad as a backup.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).


Al, can he borrow a wench or two???



Can I get a beer wench to go along with the heater wench?

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Rob,

I have one of those left from when I built homes. When they shut off there
is usually some fuel that hits the nose cone and gives off a noxious fume.
If the heater is in too small a space this happens too often and the fumes
build up. Kerosene burns the cleanest and gives off the least fumes.

The other thing to be careful of is that they will burn up all the oxygen.
If you start feeling at all dizzy get to fresh air fast!

Been there, done that!

Bob


I did buy a 'turbo' heater
early last week. It is like a jet engine - burns kerosene, diesel, fuel
oil, fingers... Whatever you throw at it at 115k BTU. Not bad as a
backup.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).


Al, can he borrow a wench or two???



Can I get a beer wench to go along with the heater wench?

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Rob,

I have one of those left from when I built homes. When they shut off there
is usually some fuel that hits the nose cone and gives off a noxious fume.
If the heater is in too small a space this happens too often and the fumes
build up. Kerosene burns the cleanest and gives off the least fumes.

The other thing to be careful of is that they will burn up all the oxygen.
If you start feeling at all dizzy get to fresh air fast!

Been there, done that!

Bob


I did buy a 'turbo' heater
early last week. It is like a jet engine - burns kerosene, diesel, fuel
oil, fingers... Whatever you throw at it at 115k BTU. Not bad as a
backup.

Some day soon I hope to hang the heaters, and get the propane
installed. Tried to do that last weekend, but I didn't have enough
bodies (those heaters are heavy!).


Al, can he borrow a wench or two???



Can I get a beer wench to go along with the heater wench?

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Bob Walsh wrote:

Rob,

I have one of those left from when I built homes. When they shut off there
is usually some fuel that hits the nose cone and gives off a noxious fume.
If the heater is in too small a space this happens too often and the fumes
build up. Kerosene burns the cleanest and gives off the least fumes.



That is good. I had debated throwing diesel in there, it is
slightly cheaper. I don't know which fuel has a higher energy content,
but I'm getting by on about 5 gallons of kerosene a day for the last few
days (lows in the low 40's, highs hovering around 50-55 with no
sunshine). Smells like a gas station in there (not noxious, but a nice
'gas-stationy' scent - the next Chanel #5), but the plants haven't
seemed to care (no bud blast yet).

The other thing to be careful of is that they will burn up all the oxygen.
If you start feeling at all dizzy get to fresh air fast!



Yes, it does seem a little counter-intuitive to have to leave the
vents open a bit when you are blasting the heater. But the instructions
(what, I read the instructions? How did that happen?) said to leave 3
square feet of ventilation for every 100,000 BTU. My little heater is
115,000 BTU, and I made the appropriate calculations.

I hope the sun comes out sometime this week...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Bob Walsh wrote:

Rob,

I have one of those left from when I built homes. When they shut off there
is usually some fuel that hits the nose cone and gives off a noxious fume.
If the heater is in too small a space this happens too often and the fumes
build up. Kerosene burns the cleanest and gives off the least fumes.



That is good. I had debated throwing diesel in there, it is
slightly cheaper. I don't know which fuel has a higher energy content,
but I'm getting by on about 5 gallons of kerosene a day for the last few
days (lows in the low 40's, highs hovering around 50-55 with no
sunshine). Smells like a gas station in there (not noxious, but a nice
'gas-stationy' scent - the next Chanel #5), but the plants haven't
seemed to care (no bud blast yet).

The other thing to be careful of is that they will burn up all the oxygen.
If you start feeling at all dizzy get to fresh air fast!



Yes, it does seem a little counter-intuitive to have to leave the
vents open a bit when you are blasting the heater. But the instructions
(what, I read the instructions? How did that happen?) said to leave 3
square feet of ventilation for every 100,000 BTU. My little heater is
115,000 BTU, and I made the appropriate calculations.

I hope the sun comes out sometime this week...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )

Al wrote:

Miners used canaries to tell if their mines were properly vented. :-)



I confess that I paid careful attention to the 'active state' of
the kitten before I would venture too far into the greenhouse...
Unfortunately for canary purposes, the kitten has now taken up residence
inside the main house. My wife decided (after I found a home for it),
that she was too attached to the kitten to give it away. Sigh...

Three square feet of vent per 100,000 BTU. If that number includes leaks
and cracks and spaces under door jams, etc...how many extra ventilation
square feet did you have to add...



Ain't no cracks and leaks in my greenhouse! *grin*

Wait until February and then come tell us how many gallons of dino-juice
that things burns per day.



Hopefully I'll have my real heater working by then. Just waiting on
a part, and the propane tank.

It is a sad fact of greenhouse management that the sun will only come out
after you pull off the shade cloth because there have been too many cloudy
days.



So far our sunny days were the days before I could get the shade
cloth on... I only burned up a few dozen plants, mostly phals (have I
mentioned I'm not a big phal fan?). We actually had sun yesterday, I
don't think I recognized it at first, it has been so long.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list )