Potting of Keiki 1 and Phal. mommie

     Although Keiki 1 was not necessarily ready to be potted up yet, it needed some source of moisture desperately. I was planning to mount this specific keiki on cork, but I would never be able to keep up with its watering needs to keep it alive. The spike it was growing off of has finally completely dried up.

     After a bit of maturing, I still plan on mounting this plant. For now, lets see where nature takes it.

     Phal "mommie", also in desperate need of water, has finally pushed a root. I also spy yet another leaf ready to poke out of the crown, and it is frustrating the living crap out of me. It has absolutely no energy to waste on a 4th leaf that will just be stunted! (AHHHHH!)
     I took the same approach as the keiki, and just potted it up in hopes of the best. I am really tired of misting, and adjusting, and checking, and disinfecting. Just not worth my time and frustration.

Growth update

     Just a general growth update: Pseudobulbs are growing like crazy!

     L.C. MSxMRS  has put out a tiny new p/b in the back, and one in the front that has sprouted out from nothing to the current size (above) in about 2 days!  The dark, emerald foliage of the cattleya has also become more of a grassy-lime green ever since I installed my makeshift lighting.

     Phal. "Ikea" has also decided to push another leaf from a basal keiki. Nothing too special. The mother plant, which I believe is terminal, is slowly losing its lowermost leaf.

     Finally, D. aggregatum has surprised me with two p/b's, too. The nubbs are both a very dark purple, almost black looking, even though they are well shaded by the older growth. There are many new roots accompanying the p/b's.

Barely alive Phal Mommie growing a Leaf.

     Yeah, thats right. The same phalaenopsis that I was just about ready to throw out is showing signs of life. I am just very angry that this new growth is not roots!

     The existing leaves are wilted. This plant has only one 1 inch root with a damaged tip, so it will not continue growing longer. The root is not taking in nearly enough water to keep the phal alive, so it is frustrating that it is growing more leaves that it wont be able to upkeep with.  Phal Mommie is so backwards when it comes to growing and I am ever slowly becoming sick of taking meticulous care to keep it alive. This new leaf growth has bought it some more time before going into the trash.

General Growth Update

Tol. Tequila Sunrise with 3 new blooms from an extension

      Nothing much exciting going on right now. Mostly roots growing like crazy, so I will compile it into one post.

     My tolumnia has been doing well for now and has put out a new fan. It is growing slowly and crooked towards the light coming through my window.

A bright baby green shoot in the middle. Sorry for the poor photo.

     The new pseudobulb on Onc. Heaven Scent is maturing quick and has put out a few roots. I have since cut off the leaf that was obstructing the roots from reaching the bark. They have turned around and started growing into the media.

     Another leaf is growing out of Phal. Floppy Jack, along with 3 more roots. It is really exploded with new growth and any old roots and leaves are quickly withering away. I am unsure if this is a good sign or a bad one. I guess time will tell.

     Phal. Green is also showing signs of another new leaf poking through the crown. The last leaf has grown small (just like most other ones that have grow in my window sill) from poor light.



     Now that it is July, I am slowly starting to compile things needed to set up the anticipated college-bound orchid terrarium. I have bought a small clamp light that will use a grow-light and a medium-sized dome light to rest on top of the tank and provide full-spectrum lighting. I have dismembered an old tower computer I had for its two cooling fans to provide a breeze.

     I have also started making a McGyvered humidity/ misting system using an old cool-mist humidifier using a how-to I found on Orchidboard.

     I am leaving the most expensive purchase for last: An Exo-Terra tank.

Phal "Valentine" progress after sunburn.

     It has been about 1 year since Phal Valentine has been sunburned, but is progressively getting better!  The growth is rather vigorous  too! The picture above is about 1 week old and within that time, the baby leaf has doubled in size. I have previously mentioned the need for new roots and the orchid gods have listened. 5 new root tips have emerged and are anchoring themselves.  I plan to cut off the woody, brown, hard roots when the new ones finish growing.

Last years sunburn.

New green roots next to older, woody, brown roots.