I am also exploring an increase (and variation) in various nutrients. So much is uncertain and I am hedging on everything. Controversial like many things, I am adjusting the pH of my solutions. I decided to target about 6.0 for solutions that go primarily to the root zone. For solutions that might have foliar absorption, I am targeting about 6.5. Most of the time I just adjust the proportion of RO and tap water I use to achieve the goal. For a few solutions I must use a pH lowering product. I don’t have enough time left as a grower to try things one at a time. I have to put all my chips into the center of the table.
Phrag Lovely Lynne 4n x sib blooming thread
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Good to know Terry. I’m trying to avoid going down the pH route at present and keep things simple. Let’s see what happens for the rest of the growing season. Last year things sorted themselves put in the autumn and I did nothing special. Under my conditions, the phrags have a real growth spurt in spring and again especially in autumn.
I had hoped to as well, but I was surprised when I tested and saw how acidic or alkaline some of my solutions were when made in 100% RO.
Terry, that figures with the lack of buffering available in RO water. I’m using tap water. We are lucky that it’s easily good enough for my plants.
Everything with orchid nutrition is controversial. Some claim the pH of solutions applied to the root zone or the leaves doesn’t matter; others claim it does. A pH meter is a reasonable expense compared to the cost of one good Cattleya. I am using 6 different solutions in rotation and they vary from needing 100% tap water to 100% RO to achieve the suggested optimal pH. I decided it can’t hurt to get the pH correct and it is not that much hassle to do. I enjoy the fiddling.
Terry, this seems to be the strongest seedling. It flowered last autumn with the largest bloom, just in 14cm across. I’ve decided to name it ‘KV’, after the parent it resembles, kovachii.
This flower was on a first growth. This is the second growth and looks big. It’s in a larger aquatic pot to most and potted in the larger rockwool cubes that now seem to be unavailable over here.
This flower was on a first growth. This is the second growth and looks big. It’s in a larger aquatic pot to most and potted in the larger rockwool cubes that now seem to be unavailable over here.
sergeharvey
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Are those Cyps in pots in the background? Never been lucky with Cyps in pots, how do you do it?
Serge, I’ve extensive threads from a few years ago when I grew loads. Search for cyps in pots. This is all that is left from over 80 pots.
So round two start soon.
Eight clones now in bud. This is the most advanced and the first one that bloomed last year. It’s a nice meaty growth and bud, much more mature looking than last years.
The plants clearly like their new aquatic pots.
Eight clones now in bud. This is the most advanced and the first one that bloomed last year. It’s a nice meaty growth and bud, much more mature looking than last years.
The plants clearly like their new aquatic pots.
Plus that second sheath has a large bud so it will branch as well. Good news.
It will be great. I saw an awarded Lovely Lynne picture recently and it was not as nice as some of yours.
Not long now for the first bloom. The side branch is now evident, maybe a throwback to the quarter dalessandroi parentage. Always good to see this especially on the first plant to flower from the group. It promises more of the same for the others.
It has put up a tall, much more adult looking, flower stem, the green cane next to the bud is two feet long.
Maybe 23 of the 26 plants will flower on this cycle of growth. It’s a very vigorous group.
This is the stunning red clone. I repotted this one back into a gravel tray to see whether these plants liked the tray method of growing as adults.
It too has a much more mature looking spike.
Fingers crossed!
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The leaves certainly scream tetraploid!
I hope so!
Pulling up a chair to watch the show! I think I remember seeing these little guys in your kitchen in 2022?
I would love to breed with this, either self it or sib it if there is another red of similar quality.
Will,Pulling up a chair to watch the show! I think I remember seeing these little guys in your kitchen in 2022?
You did! I’d no idea then that they would grow so well.
Waiting for the flower is exciting. In the meantime, I am enthralled by those leaves.
Thanks Darlene, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible to grow these so quickly indoors without the aid of a greenhouse, but it’s a super vigorous group.
So here we go! Round two.
This is the first to flower last year and this. Last years is on page 1 of the thread.
This is clone 16. I numbered them when they were potted up individually.
The colour is a bit more purple than in the photo. It’s unlikely to be a keeper. Although it’s a good grower, the flower shape isn’t great and the flower stem is so tall. NS is 11cm and more to come.
This is clone 12. Last year’s flower is on page 2 of the thread. It’s a possible keeper. The flower is good (it could be flatter) and the stem is more manageable. NS is again 11cm and it’s still expanding.
Good to see that both flowers are larger and an improvement on last year.
This is the first to flower last year and this. Last years is on page 1 of the thread.
This is clone 16. I numbered them when they were potted up individually.
The colour is a bit more purple than in the photo. It’s unlikely to be a keeper. Although it’s a good grower, the flower shape isn’t great and the flower stem is so tall. NS is 11cm and more to come.
This is clone 12. Last year’s flower is on page 2 of the thread. It’s a possible keeper. The flower is good (it could be flatter) and the stem is more manageable. NS is again 11cm and it’s still expanding.
Good to see that both flowers are larger and an improvement on last year.
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