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I am also working with inorganic media, mostly semi-hydroponic, though I have a few in a 50/50 mix in traditional culture. I find that the top layer dries out to fast if I don't put some sort of "lid" on it--at the moment, small aquarium gravel. The beauty of growing this way is no more...

Orthene (Acephate) comes in a powdered form that does not have the odor which is probably caused by petrochemicals in the liquid. I'd forget the topicals--can never get them all that way. Several of the systemics I have can be purchased in a form meant to be placed on the surface of the...

I recently read a large number of old Orchid Digests in which the author, whose name I should remember and don't, wrote of the many places in Asia (mostly China) where he traveled, describing the local growing conditions of various Paph species. Almost all were lithophytic, often to a...

Some of us grow many if not most of our orchid genera, including Paphs and Phrags, semi-hydroponically (SH). I recently converted the remainder of my collection (other than mounted) to one of several kinds of "rock" media--mostly either artificially created lightweight expanded clay aggregate...

Welcome from a neighbor on Whidbey Island. Have you joined a local orchid society yet?

Here's my awarded Paph. Saiun 'SkyBear' HCC from last March.

Probably only about 6 months. Not LECA, but an intermediate sized monto clay.

I have most of my orchids at present in one of a variety of semi-hydroponic mixes, all rock based (leca and monto clay mostly), and suspect that growing in rock wool is similar, though I haven't experimented lately. The advantage, of course, is that the medium doesn't rot, though pH change or...

A cross of Mar New with rothschildianum. Mar New is Stoned Susan x adductum. Strange names, and not sure if there's a lot of point to further breeding of roth crosses, however. Growing semi-hydroponically in monto clay substrait.

And yet some growers have reported leaving plants in Orchiata for 5 to even 10 years (not Phrags) with no ill results (as compared with fir back) as P. radiata does not degrade as fast. Personally, I don't like repotting, so I'm looking for a medium that doesn't require it. That's why I'm...

This in response to Rob (littlefrog). I'm the co-author of that article with him. I still have the manuscript of it (Growing Orchids in Mud), which I will attach. It was published in ORCHIDS, but in their wisdom the AOS chose to put their backfiles behind a paywall (and thus irrelevant to...

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Last week at show in Mt. Vernon, WA. 79 points.

Rob (littlefrog), for 2 1/2" McConkey I'd call Charley's Greenhouse Supply in Mt. Vernon, WA (or have me get you some). I'll have to check mine to see if they are really McConkey, but given that McConkey is a regional company, highly likely. They are clear. Charley always has supply of these...

But you have daughters, one man and two girls. Lol. Too bad I didn't retire in Michigan

I've been out of town, so waited to respond on the computer rather than the phone or tablet. Good discussion. To the person growing in Growstone, how is that going? I'm sorry that it isn't made anymore, but not a surprise. I have some in my potting shed. Ray, perhaps you can shed some light...

I'm now back from a short trip to Southern California (with an expensive stop at Norman's Orchids!). I stored up some questions and comments while I was away and reading by tablet or phone. Ray, why do you recommend not using Tristar? Because it's a neonic and probably killing bees? I...

Southernbelle, was Tristar effective? Ray, I only stopped a month after 3 weekly sprayings of a combination of acephate and Enstar. I'm in that period now. Next month I will inspect each plant. I'd rather not do more general spraying, if it's not needed. If I find infestation at that point...

Well, Ray, that was very ambitious of you! I just finished by 3rd weekly general spray, although I did not drench the pots or the greenhouse, and only used Enstar with acephate. Actually, I have seen no bugs since the first spraying (and that includes mealies). I'll now wait a month, and...