Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

   You once answered a question about repotting my Phals and I was wondering if you could help me again. I have acquired 3 orchids: Beallara Marfitch, Miltassia Hybred, and Epicattleya Rene Marquis and was wondering if they can be grown with my Phals. BWT, these are all Better Grow orchids that I got at Home Depot in the little net bags.

    I live in So. Fla and I have mostly Phals(17)with a few Dens(7) and Catts(4). My plants have an eastern exposure and are grown in my atruim under screening. All of my orchids are planted in wood baskets in orchid mix, well, what's left of the mix! Can I grow the above mentioned plants in the same condtions?

   Also, I have a Iwanagara Appleblossom that sits under a light outside that I keep on at night. Do you think that plant might be getting too much light and would it be better off somewhere else?

    Thanks again for your help!

    Sheryl Brill

ANSWER: Hi Sheryl,

I'll try to help you with your questions, hope my suggestions make sense.  

Have you repotted the 3 new orchids yet into pots?  Do you know what material they are potted in the net pots?  If they are in sphagnum moss, be careful of watering as moss tends to stay wet for a fairly long time, although the exposed moss may look dry it may still be wet within.  Since you are growing all of your orchids in wood baskets, you might think about repotting them into baskets also when it comes time to repot them.  

You should be able to grow the Beallara and Miltassia along with the phals but maybe with just a little more light.  Most Dens can take a little more light than phals also.  The Epicat even more light.  Most catts need even more to grow and bloom well.  Living in So. Fla., too much light can be a problem but growing them in an eastern exposure should be about right.  

I would move the Iawnagaara to a place where it would not get too much light at night.  Orchids like humans can use a little nights rest.  (grin)  

Your orchid collection is growing by leaps and bounds!  Have fun!!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,
    
    The new 3 were planted in a combo of dirt and orchid mix when I got them so I planted them in dirt.....BIG mistake! After a couple of weeks, they were looking really sorry, so I put them in baskets with orchid mix....will that work for them? They look a lot happier. I also have them in front, at your suggestion, so they get more light. Now I just have to find a new place for the Iawnagaara...:-)

    Thanks again for your help....I really apreciate it!

    Sheryl Brill  

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

Those plants are lucky you kept an eye on them and repotted as soon as you noticed they were in trouble.  There are some orchid mixes that resemble dirt, why growers use it I'm not sure.  They are more trouble than any small benefit they might get by using it.  

Keep an eye on the leaf color to see if they are getting too much light in their new place.  Other than the phals,which should be medium to dark green, the leaves on the others should range from light to medium green when exposed to good light levels.  The Iwanagaara can be placed with the dens.  

Keep up the good work!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.