kovachii hybrid culture and moler earth

[monocotman]

Hi guys,

Thought that you'd like to see a couple of plants of different kovachii hybrids potted into a diatomaceous type compost.
I saw the idea on the Orchid web for growing kovachii and thought I'd give it a try.
First photo shows the compost - it was bought in the UK as kitty litter from the large chain store Tesco's. A couple of quid for several litres. A slight scent has been added but that doesn't seem to bother the plants.
Both these plants were repotted last November/ December. They've since been growing in the window of the kitchen /dining area with the other orchids. The room is north facing and pretty cool - it ranges from around 10-17 degrees c. It is pretty cool during daylight hours as no one is home.
December was extremely cold for the UK and the average daytime temperature probably was around 11 degrees.
Both have two new growths and seem very happy, watered with rain water plus a very small amount of feed.
They were both ebay purchases growing in bark and neither was large enough( probably my fault) to flower on the first growth.
The new growths are really moving and the only problem that I can see is that both have lost a couple of old leaves since repotting.
The leaf width of the new growths on the schlimii hybrid is already twice that of the old growth.
The old growth on both plants is now just two leaves. All the lost leaves died back progressively from the tip. Could this be due to over feeding?
Does anyone else use this type of compost for phrags?
I have a straight kovachii of similar size and will probably pot that into the same stuff soon.
The nice thing about this compost is it never breaks down. No worries about the compost slumping or changing its chemical and physical properties,

Regards,

David

 

[Erythrone]

Very interesting, David. And your plants seem to flourish!

I never used diatomite. I think it is true that it is stable material. But I think there can be salt built up, like Leca. We must sometimes replace Leca for that reason, don't we?

 

[JeanLux]

Interesting and most encouraging David !!!

I have 1 kovachii seedling growing very, very slowly, 2 died, (bark mix)! and 1 kov. cross doing rather well!
What is the compost made of? I could not find it in the online-shop of tescos! Jean

 

[monocotman]

cat litter

Hi Jeanlux,

the compost is a 10 litre bag of 'Tesco low dust lightweight cat litter'.
It is produced in Denmark. No other information is on the bag.
I'm pretty sure that the product is diatomaceous 'moler earth',

Regards,

David

 

[Bolero]

I used to use diatomaceous earth in tropical fish tank filters I am pretty sure.

 

[Clark]

One might consider keeping the litter box extra clean, or at least more "throne-like".

 

[Shiva]

Very interesting, David. And your plants seem to flourish!

I never used diatomite. I think it is true that it is stable material. But I think there can be salt built up, like Leca. We must sometimes replace Leca for that reason, don't we?

It depends on where it comes from. If it comes from fresh water lakes deposits, salt is not a problem. Or so I've been told.

 

[Erythrone]

Yes Shiva, but we add fertilizer. Many people that grow plants in Leca change it because of salt deposit. Some do this every year (not me, but many people I know)

I tought it would be the same for diatomite.

 

[Shiva]

Yes Shiva, but we add fertilizer. Many people that grow plants in Leca change it because of salt deposit. Some do this every year (not me, but many people I know)

I tought it would be the same for diatomite.

I see your point. I use a diatomite mix for all my paphs and phrags, and only RO or rain water when weather permits. I use a weak fertiliser almost with every watering and about once a month, I give them a good drink of RO or rainwater without fertiliser for two or three waterings in a row. So far, they seem to appreciate that regimen.

 

[gonewild]

I used to use diatomaceous earth in tropical fish tank filters I am pretty sure.

The diatomaceous earth used for filters is different. Don't confuse it with Diatomite.

 

[gonewild]

It looks like a different form of fired clay. So basically the same as other lecas like Hydroton or PrimeAgra. Here in in USA they use it for baseball fields and call it Turface. It is also sold in 5 pound bags as pond plant media. It is a great media for orchids but you have to be careful with watering because it is so fine.

 

[Bolero]

Ah ok, didn't realise......thanks.

 

[NYEric]

The plants look good so it is interesting. Unfortunately we have a very adventurous cat The resulting adventure would not end well!

 

[Ricky]

Here you find more information and (European) sources: http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm

 

[Howzat]

You did well David and you are growing them in 10-17C (indoor). I always thought that kovachii needs a min 20C with high humidity and I have refrained from acquiring one and growing it. Don't know much about its hybrids, they may not need the higher temp. Your thread may spur me on into growing it. Well done.

 

[Shiva]

All my phrags are grown cool including kovachi and its hybrids with night temps around 15C. I do raise the temperature above 20C in the day time.

 

[paphioboy]

The plants look good so it is interesting. Unfortunately we have a very adventurous cat The resulting adventure would not end well!

More fertiliser for the phrags..? :rollhappy: :rollhappy:

 

[Erythrone]

All my phrags are grown cool including kovachi and its hybrids with night temps around 15C. I do raise the temperature above 20C in the day time.

Are you kovachii hybrids easy to grow and to bloom at that temperature?

 

[Shiva]

My kovachii is not easy to grow whatever the temperature. Most of its hybrids do very well though as long as I increase the day time temperature. As for blooming, they'll need some more growing time.

 

[NYEric]

More fertiliser for the phrags..? :rollhappy: :rollhappy: