The Orchid Garden » Orchid Garden

Tracey! help!

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 16:45:17 GMT, Tracey wrote: Jane wrote: > >I’m really getting nervous. I just realized that my > >old Denrobium (Singapore White) has brownish roots and > >sort of shriveled pseudopods. So does that mean > >I have root rot?

No, but the plant might. BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!! Anne

Response:

>No, but the plant might. >BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!! >Anne

Oh, shut up. I’m trying to figure out how to increase humidity here. jane

Response:

>Oh, shut up. I’m trying to figure out how to increase >humidity here. I’ve been trying to think of suggestions for you for the last couple of days. The problem is (IMO) I’ve heard of a lot of suggestions for it, but then there have been just as many people who say ‘That doesn’t work’. And humidity is not a problem I have now. Some that I have heard (and, please, folks, don’t tell me I’m an idiot for suggestion them, but if there are definite drawbacks to one or more, feel free to correct me/add on.) Place plants in a shallow container with a layer of rocks between them and the bottom of the container and put water in the container, but not so high that the roots/medium are touching the water. (This is the one that seems to get the most disagreements. Many people say it doesn’t help. Others say it does.) A humidifier. (The biggest thing to watch for on this, I would think, is that too much constant moisture on the plants/ crowns of the plants if the moisture is condensing on them will cause crown rot.) Misting. (This seems to be a good idea, but how good would you be at misting it two, three, four times a day? And the same caution with the humidifier. Some plants (phals, IIRC) are prone to crown rot if there is a lot of moisture down in the leaves.) An orchidarium. (Think terrarium. Enclosed glass container. Price would be a drawback. What with all the accouterments needed they would seem to be pretty expensive.) Other than that, I don’t really have any other suggestions. Tracey

Response:

Thank you for your help, Tracey. I didn’t get your first reply right off because it was too long. I saw on google, today, though. The roots aren’t mushy, but they’re not plump and white, either. Fortunately, for me it’s been raining for a few days now. For most of the year, this area is semidesert, though. And when we get a Santa Ana, I swear the humidity must be like -10%. I guzzle water all day. Anyway, it’s pretty warm outside at night now, so I have them in wire baskets over one of those big old fountains that hang on your garden wall. And I got a mister. I’ve decided that some of them need to be repotted soon, and that I’m going to go with the same old bark. They were in separate pots inside one giant pot, but I one of them got too much water and died, so now, I’ve dragged them all out. I can’t go to the orchid group, because I’m so clueless. It would be like asking a fish to explain water. jane

Response:

On 15 Apr 2003 22:39:51 GMT, janelaw2…@aol.com (jane) wrote: >And I got a mister.

Well that’s good Missus, because you were getting a little cranky for my personal taste. Anne

Response:

Okay, I’ve got another crisis. Again, you’re the only person I can think of who can help. I won an orchid arrangement. It was lovely. But you know that a table fountain and some orchid fertilizer is the extent of my orchid culture repertoire. So now I’ve got all these plants that I’m afraid I’ll kill. I already killed an Oncidium (Milt. (Zorro ‘yarrow bay’ x soquel ‘91)). I’m really getting nervous. I just realized that my old Denrobium (Singapore White) has brownish roots and sort of shriveled pseudopods. So does that mean I have root rot? Is there really any chance I can save it if I do? Why did these orchids come in lava rock stuff instead of the bark? Should I repot them all after the flowers are gone? Do I use the rock stuff? Does it depend on what type of orchid they are? They’re all lovely, but I assume fairly common – milts, bertha chong, white fairy, sherry baby, etc. Please, please, please don’t send me over to the orchid group. jane There’s nothing too terribly out of the ordinary, I’m sure.

Response:

>Okay, I’ve got another crisis. Again, you’re the >only person I can think of who can help. Let’s see, Tracey’s areas of expertise: life in the military and orchids. Something’s not…quite…syncing on this. >I won an orchid arrangement. It was lovely. But you >know that a table fountain and some orchid fertilizer >is the extent of my orchid culture repertoire. A live orchid arrangement? What a prize! >So now I’ve got all these plants that I’m afraid I’ll >kill. I already killed an Oncidium (Milt. (Zorro >’yarrow bay’ x soquel ‘91)). Hmmm, hint on the Miltonias? From a man who grows a lot of them, he uses only bottled water. (He lives in LA, I think.) He says the city water kills them quick. I’m not having a problem with the water here, but Hawaii water doesn’t have fluoride (or not as much as other places) in it. >I’m really getting nervous. I just realized that my >old Denrobium (Singapore White) has brownish roots and >sort of shriveled pseudopods. So does that mean >I have root rot? Not necessarily. Take it out of the pot and feel the roots. If some of the roots are mushy, it’s root rot. Cut off the mushy ones, dust the cuts with cinnamon and repot in fresh medium. I always figure that shriveled pseudopods means it’s not getting enough water. If the roots aren’t mushy and slimy, maybe you’re having an especially dry winter and just need to up the humidity or watering a bit. >Is there really any chance I can save it if I do? Yep. Try the above. If that doesn’t work, you’re going to have to hit the orchid newsgroup. >Why did these orchids come in lava rock stuff instead of the >bark? There are tons of things they plant these things in. I’ve got plants in big chunks of gravel, red lava rock, black cinder, coconut fiber, things I can’t even begin to identify. Since it’s an arrangement, it’s probably because the lava rock looks ‘neater’ than bark. And easier to handle. Lava rock is fine to keep them in, but I think orchids in it tend to need a little more frequent watering because it doesn’t tend to hold water like the bark does. People get used to a medium and use it exclusively. There’s nothing really to look at that says one is preferred over the other, just your own particular likes. Lava rock or cinder or gravel is suggested if you have a tendency to overwater the plants since it drains quickly and doesn’t hold the water. >Should I repot them all after the flowers are gone? They’re all in one big pot/container? Then I would. I’ve seen people recommend it. Orchids tend to want their roots ‘bound’ a little bit. That encourages flowering and leaf growth. Room in the pot would probably mean root production instead. With more than one in the same container, you would then end up with the roots all entertwined and hard to separate later. Also, if one of the plants ends up doing poorly or getting a virus or root rot or crown rot, all of them would end up getting it. >Do I use the rock stuff? Like I said, it’s more of a personal preference thing. The thing with the rock/cinder/gravel is that you don’t have to worry about the medium decaying like you do with bark/fiber. >Does it depend on what type of orchid they are? Not that I can see or have heard. Sure, you have people who have their ‘dens in this medium, paphs in this medium, phals in this’ rules (for themselves) but I’ve never been all that worried about getting plants that are ’show quality’ or even looking for the most scientifically optimum medium for the plant. The *big* things that I’ve found that make a difference are the size of the pot, the humidity, and air flow around the roots. Not enough air flow is what seems to cause root rot because the roots never really dry out between waterings. >They’re all lovely, but I assume fairly common – milts, I love the milts. >bertha chong, white fairy, sherry baby, etc. Sherry Baby is cute, but nothing earth-shattering, AFAIC, but I *love* the fragrance. I just went to an orchid show a couple of weeks ago and bought twelve new orchids. I’m in heaven. >Please, please, please don’t send me over to the orchid group. Why not? They’re a nice group of people. Tracey

Response:

NY Orchid Show

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Kathy — I don’t intend to add too many more to my collection since I’m running out of room, but my consolation is that several I have are already in sheath or bud, including the division of Diaca. ‘Chantilly Lace’ you sent me Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aack!! It’ll be GONE by tomorrow!! K Barrett Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett Probably – the Winter Garden itself wasn’t too, too badly damaged , all things considered, (it’s across a highway from where the towers were). I think they expect to have it repaired by the end of this year at the latest. But it sounds like the show will pretty definitely NOT be down there for at least a couple of more years. I don’t find the setup at Rockefeller Center anywhere near as oppressive as "Chinman7" – the "basement" is normally open to the public and has restaurants, stores, etc., so it’s more than fit for human habitation. It IS dim, very dim, in fact, but some "genius" finally managed to get some of those 300 W halogen work light things this afternoon to set up in strategic locations, and that’s helping a lot. It’s definitely not the Winter Garden, that’s for sure, but there really isn’t anywere else in the City that could follow that act. It was incredibly crowded today after about 11:30 – hopefully that means people were buying so the vendors will want to come back next year, despite the inconveniences! Needless to say, I’ve been doing my best to keep the vendors very happy indeed.{lol} Michael

Response:

Aack!! It’ll be GONE by tomorrow!! K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett Probably – the Winter Garden itself wasn’t too, too badly damaged , all things considered, (it’s across a highway from where the towers were). I think they expect to have it repaired by the end of this year at the latest. But it sounds like the show will pretty definitely NOT be down there for at least a couple of more years. I don’t find the setup at Rockefeller Center anywhere near as oppressive as "Chinman7" – the "basement" is normally open to the public and has restaurants, stores, etc., so it’s more than fit for human habitation. It IS dim, very dim, in fact, but some "genius" finally managed to get some of those 300 W halogen work light things this afternoon to set up in strategic locations, and that’s helping a lot. It’s definitely not the Winter Garden, that’s for sure, but there really isn’t anywere else in the City that could follow that act. It was incredibly crowded today after about 11:30 – hopefully that means people were buying so the vendors will want to come back next year, despite the inconveniences! Needless to say, I’ve been doing my best to keep the vendors very happy indeed.{lol} Michael

Response:

Wow, that’s great! I’m envious. Who did you get the Aerangis seedlings from? I’m hoping to get there tomorrow (today got away from me). Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean Err, umm, I’m taking the Fifth as to the overall list – I SWORE I wouldn’t go nuts against this year and, well, nevermind… The ones I’m particularly pleased with, though, are: Paph. Sommerwind (I think that’s the name, micranthum x St. Swithin), Paph. St. Armel (armeniacum x St. Swithin), Paph. henryanum, and Paph. micranthum, divisions of Cycnoches cooperi, two very different clones of Neofinetia falcata, one of which smells *exactly* like gardenia, a big hunk of Laelia lilliputiana var. alba, an Encyclia bragancae (xuxuensis), and a bunch of different Aerangis seedlings. Oh, and a little tiny, first-budded Prostechea (or whatever it is these days) cochleata, about which I have a question: is there a "mini" form of this or another species that looks like one? The flower is really tiny (lip <= 1 cm) and I didn’t think they were this small. Very cute, whatever it is, and cheap

Response:

Aack!! It’ll be GONE by tomorrow!!

What’ll be gone by tomorrow? The show runs through Sunday, the 24th. If you’re looking to buy the pickings will be pretty slim by then, and the displays will be seriously starting to fade in some cases, but it won’t be gone yet tomorrow.

Response:

Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean

Err, umm, I’m taking the Fifth as to the overall list – I SWORE I wouldn’t go nuts against this year and, well, nevermind… The ones I’m particularly pleased with, though, are: Paph. Sommerwind (I think that’s the name, micranthum x St. Swithin), Paph. St. Armel (armeniacum x St. Swithin), Paph. henryanum, and Paph. micranthum, divisions of Cycnoches cooperi, two very different clones of Neofinetia falcata, one of which smells *exactly* like gardenia, a big hunk of Laelia lilliputiana var. alba, an Encyclia bragancae (xuxuensis), and a bunch of different Aerangis seedlings. Oh, and a little tiny, first-budded Prostechea (or whatever it is these days) cochleata, about which I have a question: is there a "mini" form of this or another species that looks like one? The flower is really tiny (lip <= 1 cm) and I didn’t think they were this small. Very cute, whatever it is, and cheap

Response:

K — I grow in natural light (all but tiny seedlings) so it should bloom facing East or (upward East). We’ll see… I can’t wait J. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yippee! Hooray for you! Just goes to show you how weird the weather is here on the left coast. Mine flowered in fall. My Chantilly Lace has decided to start growing again, and has new leads. If I’d get off my lazy tailbone and repot it, & stake it up nice, it should flower for me next fall and be real pretty ("and a pretty face"). Let me know if your’s blooms with the flowers strongly facing the sun. In your case towards the lights. I placed mine under the bench in order to see if I could get the flowers to face the viewer instead of upwards, which they did, but the whole inflorescence grew sideways too. So I’ll have to fine tune that ‘placement’ for next time. K Kathy — I don’t intend to add too many more to my collection since I’m running out of room, but my consolation is that several I have are already in sheath or bud, including the division of Diaca. ‘Chantilly Lace’ you sent me Jean Aack!! It’ll be GONE by tomorrow!! K Barrett Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean

Response:

Yippee! Hooray for you! Just goes to show you how weird the weather is here on the left coast. Mine flowered in fall. My Chantilly Lace has decided to start growing again, and has new leads. If I’d get off my lazy tailbone and repot it, & stake it up nice, it should flower for me next fall and be real pretty ("and a pretty face"). Let me know if your’s blooms with the flowers strongly facing the sun. In your case towards the lights. I placed mine under the bench in order to see if I could get the flowers to face the viewer instead of upwards, which they did, but the whole inflorescence grew sideways too. So I’ll have to fine tune that ‘placement’ for next time. K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kathy — I don’t intend to add too many more to my collection since I’m running out of room, but my consolation is that several I have are already in sheath or bud, including the division of Diaca. ‘Chantilly Lace’ you sent me Jean Aack!! It’ll be GONE by tomorrow!! K Barrett Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean

Response:

Any info on the big orchid show in New York City?

Response:

Any info on the big orchid show in New York City?

It’s on the Concourse level at Rockefeller Center this year because of the WTC destruction. The most direct route to the show area will be through 30 Rock (the big building "behind"/west of the skating rink. Judging is on March 20; the show is open to the public Thursday, March 21 through Sunday the 23rd. Hours are 10am to 7pm, on Sunday, 10am to 5pm. If you’re looking to buy plants, don’t wait until Sunday unless you’re hoping to bottom feed.

Response:

Judging is on March 20; the show is open to the public Thursday, March 21 through Sunday the 23rd. Hours are 10am to 7pm, on Sunday, 10am to 5pm. If you’re looking to buy plants, don’t wait until Sunday unless you’re hoping to bottom feed.

Make that "Sunday March 24th"… Michael

Response:

Hi, Just got back from the GNYOS. It is being held at 30 Rockerfella Plaza on the concourse level (fancy words for the basement!) this year due to the Sept. 11 attacks. What a difference a venue makes! There are no windows at all like the Winter Garden and the the little lighting they do have is terrible! Everything is just packed together and the ventilation is horrible. Don’t know how they’re gonna handle the hundreds of orchid lovers due to show up this weekend. Suffice to say I didn’t enjoy the show at all. Hope they return to the Winter Garden next year.

Response:

Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Just got back from the GNYOS. It is being held at 30 Rockerfella Plaza on the concourse level (fancy words for the basement!) this year due to the Sept. 11 attacks. What a difference a venue makes! There are no windows at all like the Winter Garden and the the little lighting they do have is terrible! Everything is just packed together and the ventilation is horrible. Don’t know how they’re gonna handle the hundreds of orchid lovers due to show up this weekend. Suffice to say I didn’t enjoy the show at all. Hope they return to the Winter Garden next year.

Response:

Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett

Probably – the Winter Garden itself wasn’t too, too badly damaged , all things considered, (it’s across a highway from where the towers were). I think they expect to have it repaired by the end of this year at the latest. But it sounds like the show will pretty definitely NOT be down there for at least a couple of more years. I don’t find the setup at Rockefeller Center anywhere near as oppressive as "Chinman7" – the "basement" is normally open to the public and has restaurants, stores, etc., so it’s more than fit for human habitation. It IS dim, very dim, in fact, but some "genius" finally managed to get some of those 300 W halogen work light things this afternoon to set up in strategic locations, and that’s helping a lot. It’s definitely not the Winter Garden, that’s for sure, but there really isn’t anywere else in the City that could follow that act. It was incredibly crowded today after about 11:30 – hopefully that means people were buying so the vendors will want to come back next year, despite the inconveniences! Needless to say, I’ve been doing my best to keep the vendors very happy indeed.{lol} Michael

Response:

Michael, what’d ya get? I checked it out today, I’m shopping tomorrow… Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett Probably – the Winter Garden itself wasn’t too, too badly damaged , all things considered, (it’s across a highway from where the towers were). I think they expect to have it repaired by the end of this year at the latest. But it sounds like the show will pretty definitely NOT be down there for at least a couple of more years. I don’t find the setup at Rockefeller Center anywhere near as oppressive as "Chinman7" – the "basement" is normally open to the public and has restaurants, stores, etc., so it’s more than fit for human habitation. It IS dim, very dim, in fact, but some "genius" finally managed to get some of those 300 W halogen work light things this afternoon to set up in strategic locations, and that’s helping a lot. It’s definitely not the Winter Garden, that’s for sure, but there really isn’t anywere else in the City that could follow that act. It was incredibly crowded today after about 11:30 – hopefully that means people were buying so the vendors will want to come back next year, despite the inconveniences! Needless to say, I’ve been doing my best to keep the vendors very happy indeed.{lol} Michael

Response:

Thanks Mike, that makes me feel better. The pix that Max showed of it all blasted out were rather depressing. (easy for me to say from the west coast, 3000 miles away from the Trade Center) Keep the vendors happy! K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Will there *BE* a Winter Garden next year? The pics I’ve seen show it rather blown away. K Barrett Probably – the Winter Garden itself wasn’t too, too badly damaged , all things considered, (it’s across a highway from where the towers were). I think they expect to have it repaired by the end of this year at the latest. But it sounds like the show will pretty definitely NOT be down there for at least a couple of more years. I don’t find the setup at Rockefeller Center anywhere near as oppressive as "Chinman7" – the "basement" is normally open to the public and has restaurants, stores, etc., so it’s more than fit for human habitation. It IS dim, very dim, in fact, but some "genius" finally managed to get some of those 300 W halogen work light things this afternoon to set up in strategic locations, and that’s helping a lot. It’s definitely not the Winter Garden, that’s for sure, but there really isn’t anywere else in the City that could follow that act. It was incredibly crowded today after about 11:30 – hopefully that means people were buying so the vendors will want to come back next year, despite the inconveniences! Needless to say, I’ve been doing my best to keep the vendors very happy indeed.{lol} Michael

Response:

Queen's Gardens in Saba

admin — Tue, 12 Mar 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hi, Has anyone stayed in Queen’s Gardens Resort in Saba? It looks absolutely breathtaking, and has all the amenities I need (and want!) I would like to know if it is worth the expense to stay there, and because it is so far to town. (i.e. cab fares for dinner) Beside’s Willard’s, is there any place on the island that rivals this? Thanks, Dave

Response:

Hey Dave: My wife and I just returned from Saba – pictures at: www.picturetrail.com/corleybc We stayed at Juliana’s in the Orchid Cottage, and picked up divers daily at Queens Garden. The location of Queens Garden is nice – up above The Bottom (the capital of Saba) and far away from everything. However, most of the attractions (if you can call the minimal amount of toursity stuff "attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors. Not there there is much nightlife – we were in bed by 9:30 at the latest. We did not stay at Queens Garden, but one guy who did (solo) said it was "really quiet, not much to do, glad I brought a lot to read". We really felt "in" in Windwardside, and I’d recommend the Orchid Cottage – or Flossie’s. If you get the Orchid Cottage, be aware that the master bedroom bed is too soft and forms a "U", so you and your partner will end up in the middle together – not a good thing for the entire night. Check out the pics. Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Has anyone stayed in Queen’s Gardens Resort in Saba? It looks absolutely breathtaking, and has all the amenities I need (and want!) I would like to know if it is worth the expense to stay there, and because it is so far to town. (i.e. cab fares for dinner) Beside’s Willard’s, is there any place on the island that rivals this? Thanks, Dave

Response:

"attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors.

"Cannot walk" is an exaggeration, though it may be accurate that you couldn’t or didn’t want to walk that far. As I recall, it took about 20 minutes (maybe more, it’s island time man) to walk from Windwardside to The Bottom — a bit hilly, but really pleasant on a clear moonlit night. If you’re more adventurous, you can also walk down to Fort Bay too. I did that my first night there for the Saba Days festival. Doing that walk once was enough for that trip. NS

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Dave: My wife and I just returned from Saba – pictures at: www.picturetrail.com/corleybc We stayed at Juliana’s in the Orchid Cottage, and picked up divers daily at Queens Garden. The location of Queens Garden is nice – up above The Bottom (the capital of Saba) and far away from everything. However, most of the attractions (if you can call the minimal amount of toursity stuff "attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors. Not there there is much nightlife – we were in bed by 9:30 at the latest. We did not stay at Queens Garden, but one guy who did (solo) said it was "really quiet, not much to do, glad I brought a lot to read". We really felt "in" in Windwardside, and I’d recommend the Orchid Cottage – or Flossie’s. If you get the Orchid Cottage, be aware that the master bedroom bed is too soft and forms a "U", so you and your partner will end up in the middle together – not a good thing for the entire night. Check out the pics. Bob Hi, Has anyone stayed in Queen’s Gardens Resort in Saba? It looks absolutely breathtaking, and has all the amenities I need (and want!) I would like to know if it is worth the expense to stay there, and because it is so far to town. (i.e. cab fares for dinner) Beside’s Willard’s, is there any place on the island that rivals this? Thanks, Dave

Hey Bob Corley? What did you think of the rockery in the shower in Orchid Cottage??? Did the frogs keep you awake much? Pip pip — Chris Notton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -}

Response:

Thanks Bob, We booked Orchid cottage. Hope the bed’s not too bad! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I just returned from Saba – pictures at: www.picturetrail.com/corleybc We stayed at Juliana’s in the Orchid Cottage, and picked up divers daily at Queens Garden. The location of Queens Garden is nice – up above The Bottom (the capital of Saba) and far away from everything. However, most of the attractions (if you can call the minimal amount of toursity stuff "attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors. Not there there is much nightlife – we were in bed by 9:30 at the latest. We did not stay at Queens Garden, but one guy who did (solo) said it was "really quiet, not much to do, glad I brought a lot to read". We really felt "in" in Windwardside, and I’d recommend the Orchid Cottage – or Flossie’s. If you get the Orchid Cottage, be aware that the master bedroom bed is too soft and forms a "U", so you and your partner will end up in the middle together – not a good thing for the entire night. Check out the pics. Bob

Response:

The shower/bath was a trip – how about all the little clay people and animals in there? It’s hard to find a place to set the soap ! The first night the bugs/frogs/rain/nature kept me up all night, but after awhile I was able to sleep like a log. This was a REALLY relaxing trip!

Response:

Now I feel bad about mentioning the bed. From now on I won’t post after drinking wine with dinner. :-) Dave, I’ll email you directly to fill you in on Orchid. We had a great time.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Bob, We booked Orchid cottage. Hope the bed’s not too bad! Dave My wife and I just returned from Saba – pictures at: www.picturetrail.com/corleybc We stayed at Juliana’s in the Orchid Cottage, and picked up divers daily at Queens Garden. The location of Queens Garden is nice – up above The Bottom (the capital of Saba) and far away from everything. However, most of the attractions (if you can call the minimal amount of toursity stuff "attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors. Not there there is much nightlife – we were in bed by 9:30 at the latest. We did not stay at Queens Garden, but one guy who did (solo) said it was "really quiet, not much to do, glad I brought a lot to read". We really felt "in" in Windwardside, and I’d recommend the Orchid Cottage – or Flossie’s. If you get the Orchid Cottage, be aware that the master bedroom bed is too soft and forms a "U", so you and your partner will end up in the middle together – not a good thing for the entire night. Check out the pics. Bob

Response:

Thanks to all – since this thread turned into a Juliana’s Orchid cottage thread, I will be staying there in June (Thanks to Mr. Corley, I will also have a new mattress!) I cannot wait to go. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Knowing them, had you complained to Franklin, Juliana or Vanessa, I’m sure you’re complaint would have been addressed quickly. It wasn’t cheap, and in fairness to the folks at Juliana’s, my wife and I did not complain. We are pretty easy going, so we just moved the single beds in the guest room together and hung out in there. I’d say we got a good deal (in my opinion) for the money, and we had a great time. I am going to contact Juliana’s to let them know about the bed. But, if that had been the only bed, I’d have been upset.

Response:

Hello, I’ll echo what was said about being in Windwardside vs Queens Garden, but wanted to give a plug for Flossies Cottage, where we stayed for ten wonderful days. Juliana’s is a great choice. You’ll have a great time. Darryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to all – since this thread turned into a Juliana’s Orchid cottage thread, I will be staying there in June (Thanks to Mr. Corley, I will also have a new mattress!) I cannot wait to go. Dave Knowing them, had you complained to Franklin, Juliana or Vanessa, I’m sure you’re complaint would have been addressed quickly. It wasn’t cheap, and in fairness to the folks at Juliana’s, my wife and I did not complain. We are pretty easy going, so we just moved the single beds in the guest room together and hung out in there. I’d say we got a good deal (in my opinion) for the money, and we had a great time. I am going to contact Juliana’s to let them know about the bed. But, if that had been the only bed, I’d have been upset.

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Response:

Oh the bed is not that bad… At least you have an air conditioner in that room. I loved going to sleep to the sound of the tree frogs in the bathroom. Wasn’t that bathroom amazing?! If you’ve never been to Orchid cottage you will think I’m a nut. If you have, you know what I mean. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks Bob, We booked Orchid cottage. Hope the bed’s not too bad! Dave My wife and I just returned from Saba – pictures at: www.picturetrail.com/corleybc We stayed at Juliana’s in the Orchid Cottage, and picked up divers daily at Queens Garden. The location of Queens Garden is nice – up above The Bottom (the capital of Saba) and far away from everything. However, most of the attractions (if you can call the minimal amount of toursity stuff "attractions") seem to be in and around Windwardside. So Queens Garden is kind of far away, and you cannot walk to many of the good restaurants and the one real bar, Swinging Doors. Not there there is much nightlife – we were in bed by 9:30 at the latest. We did not stay at Queens Garden, but one guy who did (solo) said it was "really quiet, not much to do, glad I brought a lot to read". We really felt "in" in Windwardside, and I’d recommend the Orchid Cottage – or Flossie’s. If you get the Orchid Cottage, be aware that the master bedroom bed is too soft and forms a "U", so you and your partner will end up in the middle together – not a good thing for the entire night. Check out the pics. Bob

Response:

Frank "Stubb" Cobbleigh, RIP

admin — Wed, 06 Mar 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

When I did motivational seminars, one of the things I tried to impart was how small actions affect the world like skipping stones in a pond…….ripples in the water. How many people have been helped simply because you knew and benefitted from such a person? Many, I supect. Condolences. Diana

Response:

Thanks, Diana. He was a joyful person, and it’s a sad day for all of us. And yes, that joy left ripples, which I hope will continue to spread, and spread… Val

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When I did motivational seminars, one of the things I tried to impart was how small actions affect the world like skipping stones in a pond…….ripples in the water. How many people have been helped simply because you knew and benefitted from such a person? Many, I supect. Condolences. Diana

Response:

I’m sad to say that I’ve just had word that my Dad’s best friend of 70+ years, Stubb Cobbleigh, has died. Stubb was an orchid hobbyist in the Nashua, NH area, living in Dunstable, MA. When I first got interested in orchids he was very kind to a newbie, showing off his underground growing area, watering system, etc. Wake is Friday of this week, anyone needing info please e-mail me at Val Allgrove, eldest of Carl Allgrove

Response:

I hope someday to get such a succinct eulogy. Someday in 60 years or so. ’kind to newbies’ is the best kind of person, regardless of vocation. Rob I’m sad to say that I’ve just had word that my Dad’s best friend of 70+ years, Stubb Cobbleigh, has died. Stubb was an orchid hobbyist in the Nashua, NH area, living in Dunstable, MA. When I first got interested in orchids he was very kind to a newbie, showing off his underground growing area, watering system, etc. Wake is Friday of this week, anyone needing info please e-mail me at Val Allgrove, eldest of Carl Allgrove

– Rob’s Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit

Response:

Anyone Here Do Tissue Culturing ?

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Well soon as I can line up the jars I’ll be attempting it and see what I can come up with. I have relatively good access to general home tissue culturing practices but understand that banana may be a little different and a little more susceptable to contamination. Thanks for the Orchid Idea. I enjoy them but really know nothing of them. I have a garden center relatively close that often does Orchid shows and seminars so I’ll have to check it out.

Scott, check out Carol Stiffs page for general tissue cultre info (and a home tissue culture listserver: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2011/MicropropBAN.html For banana specific info try: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2011/MicropropBAN.html For great info and fantastic pics of the process try: http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~trecweb/rellab/banana.htm Good luck!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to add to this terse response. tissue culture is tricky, including sterilization, etc. if you find somebody doing it they can show you all the sterile techniques and how to clean up the stock before seeding. you are then much more likely to get a good outcome. in fact, lots of them will culture for you giving you the bottles when they are ready to transplant into the "real world". INgrid contact an orchid growers and go in for demo. INgrid Getting ready to delve into tissue culturing as soon as I get a sucker on one of my banana plants. Any tips ? comments,personal experience with tissue culturing ? List manager- Puregold http://puregold.aquaria.net/ http://drsolo.net Solve the problem, dont waste energy looking for who’s to blame Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the work, endorsements and recommendations I make. And my husband has the bills to prove it! List manager- Puregold http://puregold.aquaria.net/ http://drsolo.net Solve the problem, dont waste energy looking for who’s to blame Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the work, endorsements and recommendations I make. And my husband has the bills to prove it!

Response:

contact an orchid growers and go in for demo. INgrid Getting ready to delve into tissue culturing as soon as I get a sucker on one of my banana plants. Any tips ? comments,personal experience with tissue culturing ?

List manager- Puregold http://puregold.aquaria.net/ http://drsolo.net Solve the problem, dont waste energy looking for who’s to blame Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the work, endorsements and recommendations I make. And my husband has the bills to prove it!

Response:

to add to this terse response. tissue culture is tricky, including sterilization, etc. if you find somebody doing it they can show you all the sterile techniques and how to clean up the stock before seeding. you are then much more likely to get a good outcome. in fact, lots of them will culture for you giving you the bottles when they are ready to transplant into the "real world". INgrid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – contact an orchid growers and go in for demo. INgrid Getting ready to delve into tissue culturing as soon as I get a sucker on one of my banana plants. Any tips ? comments,personal experience with tissue culturing ? List manager- Puregold http://puregold.aquaria.net/ http://drsolo.net Solve the problem, dont waste energy looking for who’s to blame Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the work, endorsements and recommendations I make. And my husband has the bills to prove it!

Response:

Getting ready to delve into tissue culturing as soon as I get a sucker on one of my banana plants. Any tips ? comments,personal experience with tissue culturing ?

Response:

Banned..censorship…sigh

admin — Mon, 21 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

If this is a repeat, please excuse me. I was banned from the GardenWeb because I put a link to my site in a message that was inquiring about where to find info about semi-hydro growing. Actually, by itself that only garnered a warning from Spike Hernandez, but when he accused me of stealing advertising revenue by posting the link, I replied that I thought he was unreasonable, which led to further escalation of attitudes (both of ours). What really irks me, however was a recent post by someone claiming that I had lambasted her for suggesting that there was any other orchid growing method to consider other than S/H! Spike let that stand on the forum, for sure. Fortunately, several folks came to my defense – even some with whom I’ve never even done business. FWIW, I have emailed the individual directly to discuss the libelous nature of her post and possibly elicit an apology or retraction, but (gasp!) have not received a reply. Spike did remove the thread, however. My guess is that he realized that had it stayed posted, he could be held liable as well. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I, too, got banned for questioning the definition of several of the vendors as spammers…and found myself rapidly disneyed. I have to say, I don’t miss the gardenweb forum now that I’ve left it…most of the regulars moved over to the Orchid Source forum: http://www.theorchidsource.com I also hang out at the AOS on-line forum. Wendy, After reading your post- I decide to post on the Orchid forum about banning people. In less than one day there were 16 responses and then Spike pulled it and posted a very nasty rebuttal. Today I received an email admonishing me for asking the question, and 2 emails later was asked to leave the forum. I too questioned the strange definiton of ’spamming’ that seems to be in play there. So I guess that I have joined the every growing list of rejects from the Orchid Forum. Joe D I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

It’s starting to sound like getting banned from GardenWeb is a badge of honor. Might be interesting to have a contest to see who can get banned in the most creative manner. deg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If this is a repeat, please excuse me. I was banned from the GardenWeb because I put a link to my site in a message that was inquiring about where to find info about semi-hydro growing.

Response:

I, too, got banned for questioning the definition of several of the vendors as spammers…and found myself rapidly disneyed. I have to say, I don’t miss the gardenweb forum now that I’ve left it…most of the regulars moved over to the Orchid Source forum: http://www.theorchidsource.com I also hang out at the AOS on-line forum. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wendy, After reading your post- I decide to post on the Orchid forum about banning people. In less than one day there were 16 responses and then Spike pulled it and posted a very nasty rebuttal. Today I received an email admonishing me for asking the question, and 2 emails later was asked to leave the forum. I too questioned the strange definiton of ’spamming’ that seems to be in play there. So I guess that I have joined the every growing list of rejects from the Orchid Forum. Joe D I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

Wendy, After reading your post- I decide to post on the Orchid forum about banning people. In less than one day there were 16 responses and then Spike pulled it and posted a very nasty rebuttal. Today I received an email admonishing me for asking the question, and 2 emails later was asked to leave the forum. I too questioned the strange definiton of ’spamming’ that seems to be in play there. So I guess that I have joined the every growing list of rejects from the Orchid Forum. Joe D

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

You aren’t dating someone by the name of Lynne by any chance? Someone who flutters her eyelashes a lot??

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Heck I am actually a member over there… Dunno how many post I have ever made there though… Maybe enough to use all of my fingers on one hand… Kye. You need someone closer to home Kye – There are some nice Aussie Women on the Orchid Source Forum http://forum.theorchidsource.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi Yeap…. Still waiting on those e-mails Mick… Neeeeeeeeeeeeed some single orchid lovin’ females company to cheer me up… Heck I may even come out of "lurker" mode for ‘em… Kye. Max, Ooooo… very good! A beautiful woman on RGO who knows her history also. See, I was right. RGO chicks are much sharper than Spike’s chicks. Mick You and Groucho

Response:

Heck I am actually a member over there… Dunno how many post I have ever made there though… Maybe enough to use all of my fingers on one hand… Kye.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You need someone closer to home Kye – There are some nice Aussie Women on the Orchid Source Forum http://forum.theorchidsource.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi Yeap…. Still waiting on those e-mails Mick… Neeeeeeeeeeeeed some single orchid lovin’ females company to cheer me up… Heck I may even come out of "lurker" mode for ‘em… Kye. Max, Ooooo… very good! A beautiful woman on RGO who knows her history also. See, I was right. RGO chicks are much sharper than Spike’s chicks. Mick You and Groucho

Response:

You need someone closer to home Kye – There are some nice Aussie Women on the Orchid Source Forum http://forum.theorchidsource.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yeap…. Still waiting on those e-mails Mick… Neeeeeeeeeeeeed some single orchid lovin’ females company to cheer me up… Heck I may even come out of "lurker" mode for ‘em… Kye. Max, Ooooo… very good! A beautiful woman on RGO who knows her history also. See, I was right. RGO chicks are much sharper than Spike’s chicks. Mick You and Groucho

Response:

You and Groucho

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jean, Hmmmm…. I don’t know if I would really want to belong to an elite club that would let me in as a member. Mick Wendy, Wendy, Wendy — anyone who’s ANYone has been banned by Spike. You’re officially in the club It’s far better here and on the AOS forum, anyway! Jean

Response:

Max, Ooooo… very good! A beautiful woman on RGO who knows her history also. See, I was right. RGO chicks are much sharper than Spike’s chicks. Mick

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You and Groucho

Response:

Yeap…. Still waiting on those e-mails Mick… Neeeeeeeeeeeeed some single orchid lovin’ females company to cheer me up… Heck I may even come out of "lurker" mode for ‘em… Kye.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Max, Ooooo… very good! A beautiful woman on RGO who knows her history also. See, I was right. RGO chicks are much sharper than Spike’s chicks. Mick You and Groucho

Response:

Jean, Hmmmm…. I don’t know if I would really want to belong to an elite club that would let me in as a member. Mick

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wendy, Wendy, Wendy — anyone who’s ANYone has been banned by Spike. You’re officially in the club It’s far better here and on the AOS forum, anyway! Jean

Response:

Wendy, Wendy, Wendy — anyone who’s ANYone has been banned by Spike. You’re officially in the club It’s far better here and on the AOS forum, anyway! Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

Kye, Only if you are finally out of lurker mode and finished with that devilish woman who jilted/betrayed you. Mick

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ray, You are right. He will alienate some people.. but in the long run those people who boycott his "modified" newsgroup will simply be replaced by newbies like the new teeth that spring forward in a shark’s mouth as this fish breaks a few more off in his victim’s hind quarters. The newbie teeth always "roll" forward to replace the old broken teeth. And the feeding machine continues moving on to perform its singular sole function in this life. It is Spike’s "service" and it is his "forum". If people don’t want to hear his message or his slant on issues… then there is only one alternative and that is to never click on his webpage. I think Spike barred me from his group 2 years ago… I haven’t looked back and I don’t hold a grudge against him. I obviously don’t contribute to his forum and I suppose it is no big deal to anyone else including myself. So…. that’s life…. besides RGO is more fun, stimulating, and the chicks are way better looking here on RGO anyways. Mick

Response:

Now you are sending me all of those"much better looking chicks" email Kye.

Response:

There have been 2 threads on Orchid Forum about your services Ray so apparently you are not totally banned. Diane

Response:

Gee, thanks, guys! It’s a wonder how text files can convey that! :-) — Reka http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "I hate flowers – I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move." –Georgia O’Keeffe

Response:

there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly.

Lotsa luck. On "another forum" there for a while, we had a pool as to how long such messages would stay on the board. "Spike Hernandez" (seemingly not his real name) seems to be pretty well glued to his monitor. With exceptions that excite as much comment as Kremlinologists discussing Brezhnev’s hiccups, that sort of thing disappears within an hour or two of being posted. Has he blocked your entire network/domain yet? That’s when you know you’ve hit the big time. Michael

Response:

The primary problem, Mick, is that his gold will dwindle as he chases folks away. What a moron! (Him) — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In large scale real estate development, which is my life’s real work… there is an old saying. "He who controls the gold, controls the deal." Spike controls the gold, therefore he controls the deal. Mick

Response:

Ray, You are right. He will alienate some people.. but in the long run those people who boycott his "modified" newsgroup will simply be replaced by newbies like the new teeth that spring forward in a shark’s mouth as this fish breaks a few more off in his victim’s hind quarters. The newbie teeth always "roll" forward to replace the old broken teeth. And the feeding machine continues moving on to perform its singular sole function in this life. It is Spike’s "service" and it is his "forum". If people don’t want to hear his message or his slant on issues… then there is only one alternative and that is to never click on his webpage. I think Spike barred me from his group 2 years ago… I haven’t looked back and I don’t hold a grudge against him. I obviously don’t contribute to his forum and I suppose it is no big deal to anyone else including myself. So…. that’s life…. besides RGO is more fun, stimulating, and the chicks are way better looking here on RGO anyways. Mick

Response:

Very true. I was "Disneyed" by "Spike" several years ago, as have many people from the orchid forums, rose forums, etc. The cycle of life continues. …. besides RGO is more fun, stimulating, and the chicks are way better looking here on RGO anyways. Mick

The man has a point… -Dave-

Response:

I do not always agree with what people say nor do I expect them to always agree with my opinion but I defend their right to say what they want or have any opinion they want. Censorship stifles thought and new ideas, some teachers practice this in schools with our children, so it should not be practiced. The 1st amendment is to protect us from censorship, let’s let people have the freedom to express themselves!!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

In large scale real estate development, which is my life’s real work… there is an old saying. "He who controls the gold, controls the deal." Spike controls the gold, therefore he controls the deal. Mick

Response:

Wendy, and everyone else. The forum at the Orchid Source (www.theorchidsource.com) is far superior in my opinion. What really irks me about "Spike" at garden web is his overall attitude: There was a great deal of discussion about semi-hydroponics at the garden Web, and rather than clogging up his bandwidth with a repeated litany of info, I directed people in ONE message to check out the info at my website. Spike, in his apparently usual hemorrhoidal way, accused me of stealing from him because I was not an advertiser! — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

Response:

I have had to leave the Garden Forum because of the extreme censorship there. I know this has been discussed here, and my point is not to go over old ground, but to urge those of you who frequent the orchids forum there to protest the unreasonable censorship directly. Unfortunately, even my message stating that I was leaving was taken off the orchid forum, although it is still on the greenhouse forum, at least right now. And I didn’t even give a reason for leaving! Here is what happened: In one post I asked someone to look at the research on semi-hydroponic media at FirstRay.com (I have been researching it and asking people there for their advice, as well as here), and it seems that any reference to this site or person is banned by Spike, who has banned Ray for spamming. I know there are various opinions about whether there really was spam or not, and I have no desire to once again start this discussion. But whether that ban was justified or not, I certainly cannot tolerate an "information ban" that censors any reference at all to experiments, no matter who conducted them. After several back-and-forth emails with Spike, I concluded that there isn’t much I can do except refuse to participate on such a highly censored forum. It is my only form of protest, I guess. I left my email address hoping people would inquire. It’s too bad, as I really enjoyed the forums (two of them, greenhouses and orchids!).

Response:

daisies in December

admin — Tue, 11 Dec 2001 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Thanks, Nanzi, it makes me glad I am a gardener. And as always I just love to share these things with all of you out there, because we all have these things in common, some don’t and for those that don’t they can see and feel what I share (this is what I hope I am accomplishing with my garden rambles). Hopefully I can get my life more organized in the close future and do better with posts. My job that has me commuting 47 miles one way eats the day right out. But I am looking up the road with Spring and longer days and being home at least in the afternoons once the sun comes back to full growing appearances. That and I guess I will train myself into getting up earlier and seeing to some things before I leave home at 8 a.m. Heck my grand mammy always got up at 4:30, that is a bit extreme, but I could swing getting up to garden and plot things around 5:30…I think…… we’ll see. keep in touch, I always love to hear from others out there in the soil. madgardener zone 6b up on the hilltop, overlooking English MOuntain which at the moment is shrouded in grey mists and low flying clouds from the snow storm that missed us in Eastern Tennessee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just love it when the Lord has special little surprises, like your daiseys, for us. Thank you for sharing that. It’s those little gifts that make life so worth living. I always enjoy your posts. Nanzi – DE Zone 7

Response:

Hi Mad! We went to the Smokies for 5 days over Thanksgiving. It was beautiful but cold! I wanted to camp in our tent but hubby thought it was too cold so we ended up "camping" at the Holiday Inn (with Jacuzzi and bar!). We ended up hiking about 9 miles every day so at least we were both happy with the compromise. Wish I could see your daisies. I know that was a bright thing to see in a dreary day. Good to see you. I was getting worried about you. loony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Walked outside FINALLY into the garden today. Beautiful sunny day, blue sky with those "cotton ball" clouds. I just wanted to feel the cold air, the warm sun, and see the garden in it’s waiting for spring mode. Noticing the spent, grayish brown stems, the seeds heads. Take it all in. In the process of this, I decided to do a little bit of clean up. This is not like me, I usually wait until late winter and just before spring perennials awake from their cat naps. But the fig deffinately needed pruning back before the limbs girthed up more than the jaws of the pruner were able to open up, so I located them and whacked off all the 14 foot limbs with the still attached figs on them this was sad to me to see so many fruit wasted, but there is nothing I could do about it. I am lucky to even EAT figs in this zone off my own tree. Whacked those off, whacked the heliopsis stems and tossed them, the finches and wrens had stripped the seeds off them long time ago, next will be the sunflowers and rudbeckia herbsonne’s that had a good year and were the first buffet the birds visited. But as I stopped my whacking and cutting, (Rose was giving me a hard time since I was outside with her for the first time in forever in her dog mind)and was going across the front of the beds,I saw to my amazement and wonder that I have DAISIES in December. Right there in the design bricko block that I have planted up in dianthus and a few stray bulbs that refused to return for me. This is wonderful. Sunny, blue crispy day and a fantastic flower greets my eyes. Mom’s Nature has a serious sense of humor. Just thought I would share this little tidbit with you and tell you that things are going alright here in Eastern Tennessee, working way too much, but given a few more weeks I figure they will start cutting back my hours and then I will have a little more time to spend with the garden which has been neglected badly, with not even trying to catch up the garden journal that I totally neglected all of last year, but which I am returning to with forcefullness on my own part. And trying to catch up on my reading of garden magazines that lie next to my side of the bed waiting patiently for me to pick them back up. I hope all went well with everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas looms ahead and then we all will experience something wonderous and once in our life times, the beginning of a new CENTURY!!! I look forward to this as I know that it is a once in a lifetime occurance. Kinda like the little old lady I met who saw Haley’s comet when she was a little girl. Peace and love and kindness to all of you and I look forward to sharing words and thoughts with all of you in the future (by the way, I was also gone due to the power source on my ‘puter frying last week…..oy vey…….) madgardener zone 6b up on the hilltop, overlooking English Mountain which is bluish with mists, in Eastern Tennessee

Response:

by the way, thanks for the concern, I have just been working too much and the computer hasn’t been functioning and just covered up, same shit – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Mad! We went to the Smokies for 5 days over Thanksgiving. It was beautiful but cold! I wanted to camp in our tent but hubby thought it was too cold so we ended up "camping" at the Holiday Inn (with Jacuzzi and bar!). We ended up hiking about 9 miles every day so at least we were both happy with the compromise. Wish I could see your daisies. I know that was a bright thing to see in a dreary day. Good to see you. I was getting worried about you. loony Walked outside FINALLY into the garden today. Beautiful sunny day, blue sky with those "cotton ball" clouds. I just wanted to feel the cold air, the warm sun, and see the garden in it’s waiting for spring mode. Noticing the spent, grayish brown stems, the seeds heads. Take it all in. In the process of this, I decided to do a little bit of clean up. This is not like me, I usually wait until late winter and just before spring perennials awake from their cat naps. But the fig deffinately needed pruning back before the limbs girthed up more than the jaws of the pruner were able to open up, so I located them and whacked off all the 14 foot limbs with the still attached figs on them this was sad to me to see so many fruit wasted, but there is nothing I could do about it. I am lucky to even EAT figs in this zone off my own tree. Whacked those off, whacked the heliopsis stems and tossed them, the finches and wrens had stripped the seeds off them long time ago, next will be the sunflowers and rudbeckia herbsonne’s that had a good year and were the first buffet the birds visited. But as I stopped my whacking and cutting, (Rose was giving me a hard time since I was outside with her for the first time in forever in her dog mind)and was going across the front of the beds,I saw to my amazement and wonder that I have DAISIES in December. Right there in the design bricko block that I have planted up in dianthus and a few stray bulbs that refused to return for me. This is wonderful. Sunny, blue crispy day and a fantastic flower greets my eyes. Mom’s Nature has a serious sense of humor. Just thought I would share this little tidbit with you and tell you that things are going alright here in Eastern Tennessee, working way too much, but given a few more weeks I figure they will start cutting back my hours and then I will have a little more time to spend with the garden which has been neglected badly, with not even trying to catch up the garden journal that I totally neglected all of last year, but which I am returning to with forcefullness on my own part. And trying to catch up on my reading of garden magazines that lie next to my side of the bed waiting patiently for me to pick them back up. I hope all went well with everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas looms ahead and then we all will experience something wonderous and once in our life times, the beginning of a new CENTURY!!! I look forward to this as I know that it is a once in a lifetime occurance. Kinda like the little old lady I met who saw Haley’s comet when she was a little girl. Peace and love and kindness to all of you and I look forward to sharing words and thoughts with all of you in the future (by the way, I was also gone due to the power source on my ‘puter frying last week…..oy vey…….) madgardener zone 6b up on the hilltop, overlooking English Mountain which is bluish with mists, in Eastern Tennessee

Response:

HI Loony!! Well isn’t that a fine howdy do…..you were that close to me and you didn’t come up and say howdy? I work at the restaurant Legends by Max right smack dab in the middle of Gatlinburg……you shoulda come in and said hi. I had to work THANKSGIVING and Thursday. Next time give me a holler, we need to swap hugs and talk flowers! madgardener – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Mad! We went to the Smokies for 5 days over Thanksgiving. It was beautiful but cold! I wanted to camp in our tent but hubby thought it was too cold so we ended up "camping" at the Holiday Inn (with Jacuzzi and bar!). We ended up hiking about 9 miles every day so at least we were both happy with the compromise. Wish I could see your daisies. I know that was a bright thing to see in a dreary day. Good to see you. I was getting worried about you. loony Walked outside FINALLY into the garden today. Beautiful sunny day, blue sky with those "cotton ball" clouds. I just wanted to feel the cold air, the warm sun, and see the garden in it’s waiting for spring mode. Noticing the spent, grayish brown stems, the seeds heads. Take it all in. In the process of this, I decided to do a little bit of clean up. This is not like me, I usually wait until late winter and just before spring perennials awake from their cat naps. But the fig deffinately needed pruning back before the limbs girthed up more than the jaws of the pruner were able to open up, so I located them and whacked off all the 14 foot limbs with the still attached figs on them this was sad to me to see so many fruit wasted, but there is nothing I could do about it. I am lucky to even EAT figs in this zone off my own tree. Whacked those off, whacked the heliopsis stems and tossed them, the finches and wrens had stripped the seeds off them long time ago, next will be the sunflowers and rudbeckia herbsonne’s that had a good year and were the first buffet the birds visited. But as I stopped my whacking and cutting, (Rose was giving me a hard time since I was outside with her for the first time in forever in her dog mind)and was going across the front of the beds,I saw to my amazement and wonder that I have DAISIES in December. Right there in the design bricko block that I have planted up in dianthus and a few stray bulbs that refused to return for me. This is wonderful. Sunny, blue crispy day and a fantastic flower greets my eyes. Mom’s Nature has a serious sense of humor. Just thought I would share this little tidbit with you and tell you that things are going alright here in Eastern Tennessee, working way too much, but given a few more weeks I figure they will start cutting back my hours and then I will have a little more time to spend with the garden which has been neglected badly, with not even trying to catch up the garden journal that I totally neglected all of last year, but which I am returning to with forcefullness on my own part. And trying to catch up on my reading of garden magazines that lie next to my side of the bed waiting patiently for me to pick them back up. I hope all went well with everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas looms ahead and then we all will experience something wonderous and once in our life times, the beginning of a new CENTURY!!! I look forward to this as I know that it is a once in a lifetime occurance. Kinda like the little old lady I met who saw Haley’s comet when she was a little girl. Peace and love and kindness to all of you and I look forward to sharing words and thoughts with all of you in the future (by the way, I was also gone due to the power source on my ‘puter frying last week…..oy vey…….) madgardener zone 6b up on the hilltop, overlooking English Mountain which is bluish with mists, in Eastern Tennessee

Response:

I just love it when the Lord has special little surprises, like your daiseys, for us. Thank you for sharing that. It’s those little gifts that make life so worth living. I always enjoy your posts. Nanzi – DE Zone 7

Response:

Walked outside FINALLY into the garden today. Beautiful sunny day, blue sky with those "cotton ball" clouds. I just wanted to feel the cold air, the warm sun, and see the garden in it’s waiting for spring mode. Noticing the spent, grayish brown stems, the seeds heads. Take it all in. In the process of this, I decided to do a little bit of clean up. This is not like me, I usually wait until late winter and just before spring perennials awake from their cat naps. But the fig deffinately needed pruning back before the limbs girthed up more than the jaws of the pruner were able to open up, so I located them and whacked off all the 14 foot limbs with the still attached figs on them this was sad to me to see so many fruit wasted, but there is nothing I could do about it. I am lucky to even EAT figs in this zone off my own tree. Whacked those off, whacked the heliopsis stems and tossed them, the finches and wrens had stripped the seeds off them long time ago, next will be the sunflowers and rudbeckia herbsonne’s that had a good year and were the first buffet the birds visited. But as I stopped my whacking and cutting, (Rose was giving me a hard time since I was outside with her for the first time in forever in her dog mind)and was going across the front of the beds,I saw to my amazement and wonder that I have DAISIES in December. Right there in the design bricko block that I have planted up in dianthus and a few stray bulbs that refused to return for me. This is wonderful. Sunny, blue crispy day and a fantastic flower greets my eyes. Mom’s Nature has a serious sense of humor. Just thought I would share this little tidbit with you and tell you that things are going alright here in Eastern Tennessee, working way too much, but given a few more weeks I figure they will start cutting back my hours and then I will have a little more time to spend with the garden which has been neglected badly, with not even trying to catch up the garden journal that I totally neglected all of last year, but which I am returning to with forcefullness on my own part. And trying to catch up on my reading of garden magazines that lie next to my side of the bed waiting patiently for me to pick them back up. I hope all went well with everyone Thanksgiving, Christmas looms ahead and then we all will experience something wonderous and once in our life times, the beginning of a new CENTURY!!! I look forward to this as I know that it is a once in a lifetime occurance. Kinda like the little old lady I met who saw Haley’s comet when she was a little girl. Peace and love and kindness to all of you and I look forward to sharing words and thoughts with all of you in the future (by the way, I was also gone due to the power source on my ‘puter frying last week…..oy vey…….) madgardener zone 6b up on the hilltop, overlooking English Mountain which is bluish with mists, in Eastern Tennessee

Response:

I have daisies in December. This doesn’t sound too startling, but as you all know, I live in Eastern Tennessee. As I slowly climbed out of my truck upon returning home from work today, I rounded the back of the vehicle and spotted an unmistakable white folded dot, rising high above the scalloped rosette of leaves that reside in the trough planter I retrieved from my mom’s house just before we sold it. I stood there, looking at the hope in that button of spring, and let out a sigh. Inside the house, Rose was going insane because "Mama’s around the edges of the eastern NSSG (not so secret garden). Ferns of frosty bitten bronze fennel are still greenish bronze, their tips cut severely off to restrict their seeds from sowing a forest of their licorice frangrant ferns. Just next to the bronze fennel the Blue egnima salvia is STILL blooming, and I know if this one is blooming, so is the one that faces southward on the western end fairy beds. I stood quietly and listened to the scoldings of chickadees, nuthatches, finches and titmouse birds and saw little thin strips of leaves poking out of the large clay pot with the black dirt in it I got from the bait shop down the road. Too soon, too soon my mind said, and was almost echoed exactly in the call of some bird in the distance. That sound reflecting my thoughts snapped me out of my daydream, and I focased my ears on where I heard the sound and found it was the sad cries of Mourning doves. That was too wierd, and I glanced down at my feet and counted no less than eight ruffled sets of individual leaves making up eight baby columbine plants for next Spring’s fairy petticoats. Another noticable sowing and future promise apparently is the growing of Zebrina daughters. Their deep almost black green scalloped leaves apparetly are EVERYWHERE, and either I will have to dig them up and transplant them other places or I will have a jungle of these sisters next spring and for future years to come blocking our path to the east entrance to my nook and the den. I opened the door, Rose almost knocked me down in her joy of my return to her after being gone since 6:30 this morning (it’s now a bit after 4 p.m.) and raced past me playing her "happy dawg" delirium for me, scrambling toenails on the boards of the small mini deck the previous owners had built on this end of the house. She did this five times before she stopped and grinned up at me, rolling her eyes in ecstasy. I put my lunch box down on the floor, the huge jug I keep sweet iced tea in that I now take to work, the new Fine Gardening magazine that came in the mail today, and walked down the hallway towards the kitchen. My eyes immediately went to the Korean Crinum that Zhanataya sent me a couple of it has…..in fact, it’s more like THREE years! Good garter grass!!! But Saturday I noticed the green spike that son, Damon had brought to my attention that was rising lewdly from the whorled leaves of the Crinum that sits beside my mother’s sideboard on the west wall of the kitchen. I was overjoyed! I have three white stars open! I walked over to it and sniffed fragrances. Nothing like it. Turned around and walked the short distance to the sink where the ?Vanda? orchid that Zhan gave me when I went to meet her and visit was hanging, and was rewarded with two more fairy orchids open on the delicate stems of the red leaves. that makes a total of five stems shooting out of the ends of those striped red leaves and each ending stem has no less than six tiny orchids, the largest one has 14. I am truely blessed today. Outside the skies are grey and ominous and promise more rains, English Mountain has a steel blue cast to it, with the layers of mountains showing various blues in coloration, and the afternoon warmed up just enough to allow me to leave off my light jacket I wear in to work. I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you all. Thaanks for listening. madgardener up here on the ridgetop, back in the "holler" across from English Mountain in Eastern Tennessee in zone 6b

Response:

Need My ONG Friends Right Now, Please

admin — Sun, 04 Nov 2001 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Thank you all for your kind support. Had a weak moment for a bit, but am back to my normal feisty, unwavering self. And Kathy, I do understand, so how nuts does that make me???? Frank has treated nature’s Gods well, so I’m sure they are smiling on him. Big test tomorrow will tell if there was any damage done. Then, if it looks okay, I can bring him home. The problem will be keeping him from putting on the gardening gloves and knee pads for a while.

Response:

Whew!! That’s a load off my mind. Right *after* I hit the send button I was afraid you’d think I was making light of your situation. Glad to hear Frank’s doing better! K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you all for your kind support. Had a weak moment for a bit, but am back to my normal feisty, unwavering self. And Kathy, I do understand, so how nuts does that make me???? Frank has treated nature’s Gods well, so I’m sure they are smiling on him. Big test tomorrow will tell if there was any damage done. Then, if it looks okay, I can bring him home. The problem will be keeping him from putting on the gardening gloves and knee pads for a while.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his (non orchids) . The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. Diana K.

Diana My prayers are with you. I hope that all will be well with your husband. Karen

Response:

You are in our thoughts and prayers. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his (non orchids) . The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. Diana K.

Response:

Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do.

Hi Diana, both you and your husband are in my prayers, Hugs, Anna Maria

Response:

Dear Diana, Its Sunday (11/4) and I hope by now that your husband is stable and out of the woods, but I just wanted you to know I appreciated your post and want to give you a big hug! Its a good sign that his first thoughts after the attack was for orchids. With the orchid gods suitably appeased (note spiking of 2 phals) I’m sure they’ll put in a good word for him with the cardiology gods. Check the garden for signs that the all other gardening gods have shown their approval of your husband too. Look for signs like delayed leaf drop till he can make it home to rake them up. (provision of aerobic exercise by the exercise gods! Yippee yet another approval rating!) Or leaves blowing into garden beds to provide mulch for his recovery period (a sign of co-operation from the compost gods) Bet you didn’t know it worked that way. I know, it took me a awhile to figure it out too. MDs call it ‘consulting’. People call it ‘praying’ but really its the gods asking around if anyone knows Frank and has he made the proper appeasements through channels. The more gods we can think of who are pulling for him the quicker and easier his recovery will be. Hope I’ve made you smile, K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his (non orchids) . The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. Diana K.

Response:

Diana, My prayers are with you. Hope everything turns out ok. Hold on there…RJ

Response:

Hang in there, kiddo. You are certainly in our thoughts. Let us know how he does. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his (non orchids) . The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. Diana K.

–Alynne http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/2947

Response:

Diana, Wishing your Prince a speedy recovery & the blooming Phals will surely help! Hope all is well at this point in time. Cheers Wendy

: Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is : being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack : Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. : : I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I : got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how : much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his : (non orchids) . : : The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this : to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and : I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. : : Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful : husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And : today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. : : Diana K. : :

Response:

Late at night, and I have left my husband at the hospital, where he is being monitored for heart problems. He apparently had a mild heart attack Thursday night, and we are doing what we need to do. I know how silly this might sound, but he asked me how the orchids were. I got two new plants in the mail (thank you, Ray), and Frank was wondering how much I loved them. I did what had to be done…..watered my plants and his (non orchids) . The irony of ths is that my news server will probably take days to get this to you, and by then it will be old news. Still, I needed to get it out, and I hope you don’t mind that I reached out to you. Beauty and love are one in the same, so often.. And as for my wonderful husband, well, I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. And today, in his honor, two Phals are spiking, way ahead of time.. Diana K.

Response:

What's wrong with Rexius bark? (Was "Jerry's Grow")

admin — Sun, 28 Oct 2001 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Last spring I bought about 2 cu ft of Rexius bark from my local orchid nursery. So far the only annoyance is that when I handle it I sometimes get stabbed with what feels like an opuntia cactus spine (those tiny ones that are so hard to see and remove!) Am I headed for trouble later on? Does this bark degrade faster than other types? Peter

Response:

Thanks, SuE and Eric, I’m so glad I came back to this newsgroup! I’ve just read about coconut chips on the ladyslipper.com website, and I’m going to try a few plants with the small quantity of chips that I already have. My main problem through the years has been the medium degrading before repotting. (The worst was when I tried a cork-and-charcoal mix that a speaker at our local orchid society was pushing!) I hate repotting at less than a one-year interval, but sometimes it has seemed necessary. It sounds like the coconut chips will make a big difference. My Rexius bark may end up as an expensive mulch out in the garden! Peter

Response:

Peter, I’ll throw my hat into the coconut husk chips ring, too, despite my personal preference for ceramic hydroponic media. CHC seems to last a long time without decomposing; with drier-growing stuff, it lasts a really long time. I have a Den. biggibum in it in an 8" basket, and at this point it’s been almost 3 years since repotting, and I see no degradation at all. My Liparis viridiflora – currently in full bloom – is in a 6" plastic pot of 50% CHC, 25% each #3 perlite and medium charcoal, and just loves it. I, too, was sucked in by the cork fiasco several years ago. It seems to be great, and then it apparently turns to mush overnight! — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks, SuE and Eric, I’m so glad I came back to this newsgroup! I’ve just read about coconut chips on the ladyslipper.com website, and I’m going to try a few plants with the small quantity of chips that I already have. My main problem through the years has been the medium degrading before repotting. (The worst was when I tried a cork-and-charcoal mix that a speaker at our local orchid society was pushing!) I hate repotting at less than a one-year interval, but sometimes it has seemed necessary. It sounds like the coconut chips will make a big difference. My Rexius bark may end up as an expensive mulch out in the garden! Peter

Response:

Rexius bark is the absolute worst medium I have ever grown orchids in. First of all, it is full of splinters. As you said, its as bad as Opuntia spines. It degrades super quickly…..if you use it on paphs, repot at least every six months..no longer. I must admit though, that my phrags love it. Sequoia bark is much better, and at least a few months ago I was able to order it from Crystal River in Fla…(they are on the net) but you must ask for it when you order, otherwise you get Rexius. As I have said before, and others have just suggested, forget bark and go for coconut chips. They can’t be beat…the only drawback is the 24-48 hours of soaking to make sure that there isn’t any salt….but its worth the inconvenience when you see how well the plants grow and how few are dying with rotten roots! Take care, Eric Muehlbauer

Response:

SuE, thanks for the tip! I had heard about coconut chips and wanted to try some, so I bought a small quantity last month when I ordered the fine bark. So far I have only used them as an additive to the mix, and didn’t know about rinsing them!!! Peter

Response:

Depending on what supplier’s you bought, there maybe a great deal of salt or next to none. We have mostly used it in Bob’s Paph mix. www.ladyslipper.com We have also been having fun with Semi-Hydro. Read about it at www.firstrays.com. Lots of options besides bark. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SuE, thanks for the tip! I had heard about coconut chips and wanted to try some, so I bought a small quantity last month when I ordered the fine bark. So far I have only used them as an additive to the mix, and didn’t know about rinsing them!!! Peter

Response:

Have you tried Coconut Husk Chunks – CHC ? We are finding it is easier to work with, no splinters. Cactus Spines.. OUCH! It lasts a long time. Some people are reporting 3 years. The plants like the sponge effect that holds water available and allows air in as well. One caution.. When you start using it. RINSE and rinse again. Check the salt content no only of the shippers history, but of each and every batch. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks, Rod. I may end up repotting sooner than I expected! Just last month I ran out of fine bark and couldn’t make it to the local nursery, so I mail ordered from Tropical Plant Products of Orlando, FL. I just checked the brand–it’s Sequoia. I hate paying the shipping, but I guess if only the Rexius stuff is available locally, then I’ll continue to buy from Tropical Plant Products. But of course they may switch to Rexius, too, if Sequoia is hard to get. If you’re interested, their phone number is 407-293-2451. I hope you’re doing OK with your health, Rod. It’s been a long time since I’ve followed this news group–I remember there was some weird person (from Florida, as I recall) whose submissions bordered on the obscene, especially when he wrote to you! Hope he’s gone now… Peter

Response:

Peter, it does indeed. And besides, it’s just the wrong size. The shape of it makes whatever size you’re using seem like one size smaller. So medium acts more like small. Others share this opinion, I know, but the last *I* heard, the ‘Sequoia’ brand out of California is no longer available to mail order. THAT is the GOOD stuff! -Rod- Last spring I bought about 2 cu ft of Rexius bark from my local orchid nursery. So far the only annoyance is that when I handle it I sometimes get stabbed with what feels like an opuntia cactus spine (those tiny ones that are so hard to see and remove!) Am I headed for trouble later on? Does this bark degrade faster than other types? Peter

– Rod C. Venger – T4N0M0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma Facial Reconstructions 2-5-99, 3-13-00 http://www.vengers.com/model.jpg

Response:

Thanks, Rod. I may end up repotting sooner than I expected! Just last month I ran out of fine bark and couldn’t make it to the local nursery, so I mail ordered from Tropical Plant Products of Orlando, FL. I just checked the brand–it’s Sequoia. I hate paying the shipping, but I guess if only the Rexius stuff is available locally, then I’ll continue to buy from Tropical Plant Products. But of course they may switch to Rexius, too, if Sequoia is hard to get. If you’re interested, their phone number is 407-293-2451. I hope you’re doing OK with your health, Rod. It’s been a long time since I’ve followed this news group–I remember there was some weird person (from Florida, as I recall) whose submissions bordered on the obscene, especially when he wrote to you! Hope he’s gone now… Peter

Response:

Report from San Diego International Orchid Fair

admin — Wed, 17 Oct 2001 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Indeed it was quite a challenge. I brought the Ecuagenera plants (about 35) bareroot in a box as checked luggage. No problem there. But there were 2 plants in spike, a cattleya and a Laelia. The Laelia had a long spike and the airline personnel made me cut it so it would fit in a box (argh!) and they got me a lot of rigamorol going into the airplane. Finally talked them into letting me in after having it go through the bomb machine a couple of times and they interviewed me for 10 minutes. Quite an inconvenience but I half expected it so no surprises there. The other guys are shipping me their plants via UPS which is the way to go if you don’t mind paying for shipping. RJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am curious about how you got the orchids home. I’ve always carried bundles of plants on the plane with me, but it must be more difficult to do that now.

Response:

Good to know. I plan on going crazy at the spring Redlands sale in Florida, and want to know how to get my purchases back alive. K Barrett do I plan ahead or what! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Indeed it was quite a challenge. I brought the Ecuagenera plants (about 35) bareroot in a box as checked luggage. No problem there. But there were 2 plants in spike, a cattleya and a Laelia. The Laelia had a long spike and the airline personnel made me cut it so it would fit in a box (argh!) and they got me a lot of rigamorol going into the airplane. Finally talked them into letting me in after having it go through the bomb machine a couple of times and they interviewed me for 10 minutes. Quite an inconvenience but I half expected it so no surprises there. The other guys are shipping me their plants via UPS which is the way to go if you don’t mind paying for shipping. RJ I am curious about how you got the orchids home. I’ve always carried bundles of plants on the plane with me, but it must be more difficult to do that now.

Response:

Hi K. I haven’t fully checked out the Redlands event but had thought about driving down from NC. I’m shopping for about 200 warm species that can do well outside in the NC heat and I’m curious if there’s any deals to be had down there buying dozens at a time. Do they have an event website? RJ

Response:

check this out. http://www.orchidworks.com/redland/ or this: http://orchidweb.org/events.html Hi K. I haven’t fully checked out the Redlands event but had thought about driving down from NC. I’m shopping for about 200 warm species that can do well outside in the NC heat and I’m curious if there’s any deals to be had down there buying dozens at a time. Do they have an event website? RJ

–Alynne http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/2947

Response:

RJ, thanks for a wonderfully informative post. I really appreciate the detail and the in-depth description of places, people, and specialties. It is this kind of local information that is impossible to get in journals and article, and yet it is so fascinating to learn more about the cultural (meaning people) world of orchids. Thanks!

Response:

Glad to hear that you found some of the places. It’s hard to tell people what an experience it is to visit Andy’s. I was on sensory overload almost immediately. I am curious about how you got the orchids home. I’ve always carried bundles of plants on the plane with me, but it must be more difficult to do that now. __ Ken Woodward ___ ____Newton, MA___ http://kwoodward.net

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi You All, Had a great visit over in sunny San Diego. The show was held at the Del Mar fairgrounds just north of the city. About 30 vendors were present including folks from Mexico, Ecuador and I think Taiwan. Several Hawaiian vendors were there as well but I hear more go to the LA show taking place this weekend. Met a lot of nice local growers and vendors and check out their. Fred from Sunset in particular had some very well grown plants at the show. Got to visit the nurseries of Pam Koide (Bird Rock Tropicals), Andy Phillips (Andy’s Orchids), Concepcion and Jerry Boyd (The Orchid Connection) and Larry Moskovitz (Orchidanica). Pam’s place is 4 buildings with mostly tillandsias and bromeliads but she has 1 GH of orchids that is coming along nicely. Got a nice L anceps and an Epi parkinsonianum from her as well as an assortment of very nice air plants. She has a pretty indoor display garden with Koi and a parrot. Quite lovely. Andy’s place of course is out of this world. I felt very fortunate to be invited to see it because Andy is very cautious of visitors since a guy broke in recently and stole some expensive stuff. He caught the guy but the plants are gone. Darn shame, but he is super cautious now since he’s got over 250,000 plants in there. The place is about an acre divided into 3 distinct areas, all with 5 tiers of plants hanging on their little sticks. I got some choice Bulbophylums and other goodies from him. He’s now got 3,500 species in stock. As has been said before, you could not meet a nicer guy – helpful, courteous and quite knowledgeable. Concepcion and Jerry have started importing Mexican species and have rented a GH in El Cajon where they are mostly selling wholesale. They are doing both stick and pot culture and have a nice setup for things like Catasetums, warmer Masdevallias, Laelias and so on and so forth. Their place is not much to look at but they have some very nice plants. I got about 30 plants so I could make their minimum. I’ll post the list later. Orchidanica has moved from the Bay area and is now near the town of Fallbrook in northern S Diego county. Darn nice high tech commercial GH with mostly hybrids but also some nice species. I got a number of Burmese Bulbophylums from Larry that I have high hopes for, some unidentified as of yet. Ecuagenera, Pepe’s outfit, was present at the show with Ivan, his brother, carrying the banner. Ivan is a very experienced grower with a Horticulture degree from the University of Cuenca. These guys now have 10,000 square meters of space in Cuenca and over 1500 artificially propagated species. I went nuts while I was working in Ivan’s booth giving him a hand with customers. Got some choice cycnoches, maxillarias, schomburgkias, rodriguezias, and on and on. It was also a great deal of fun talking shop with a real expert over the course of 2 days. Thanks Ivan! Also met some of the local society members. They have a species subgroup that is quite well organized. I wish we had that locally as well. Guess it’ll be up to me to make it happen in Raleigh Whew, that was quite a visit. I’m tired but very satisfied. 5 non-stop orchid days and over 100 plants later this was definitely a trip to remember. Hope you all who haven’t had a chance to visit with these fine folks check them out some time. They are very professional and genuinely helpful. RJ

Response:

Wow RJ, Did you ever have a great time! Thanks for all the info. Isn’t it strange, I live about an hours drive away from all these guys & mostly mail order from other States??? I have been to Pam’s place as I also grow Tillys. Seems like you made a killing!!! Good on you!! Cheers Wendy

: Hi You All, : : Had a great visit over in sunny San Diego. The show was held at the : Del Mar fairgrounds just north of the city. About 30 vendors were : present including folks from Mexico, Ecuador and I think Taiwan. : Several Hawaiian vendors were there as well but I hear more go to the : LA show taking place this weekend. : : Met a lot of nice local growers and vendors and check out their. Fred : from Sunset in particular had some very well grown plants at the show. : Got to visit the nurseries of Pam Koide (Bird Rock Tropicals), Andy : Phillips (Andy’s Orchids), Concepcion and Jerry Boyd (The Orchid : Connection) and Larry Moskovitz (Orchidanica). : : Pam’s place is 4 buildings with mostly tillandsias and bromeliads but : she has 1 GH of orchids that is coming along nicely. Got a nice L : anceps and an Epi parkinsonianum from her as well as an assortment of : very nice air plants. She has a pretty indoor display garden with Koi : and a parrot. Quite lovely. : : Andy’s place of course is out of this world. I felt very fortunate to : be invited to see it because Andy is very cautious of visitors since a : guy broke in recently and stole some expensive stuff. He caught the : guy but the plants are gone. Darn shame, but he is super cautious now : since he’s got over 250,000 plants in there. The place is about an : acre divided into 3 distinct areas, all with 5 tiers of plants hanging : on their little sticks. I got some choice Bulbophylums and other : goodies from him. He’s now got 3,500 species in stock. As has been : said before, you could not meet a nicer guy – helpful, courteous and : quite knowledgeable. : : Concepcion and Jerry have started importing Mexican species and have : rented a GH in El Cajon where they are mostly selling wholesale. They : are doing both stick and pot culture and have a nice setup for things : like Catasetums, warmer Masdevallias, Laelias and so on and so forth. : Their place is not much to look at but they have some very nice : plants. I got about 30 plants so I could make their minimum. I’ll post : the list later. : : Orchidanica has moved from the Bay area and is now near the town of : Fallbrook in northern S Diego county. Darn nice high tech commercial : GH with mostly hybrids but also some nice species. I got a number of : Burmese Bulbophylums from Larry that I have high hopes for, some : unidentified as of yet. : : Ecuagenera, Pepe’s outfit, was present at the show with Ivan, his : brother, carrying the banner. Ivan is a very experienced grower with a : Horticulture degree from the University of Cuenca. These guys now have : 10,000 square meters of space in Cuenca and over 1500 artificially : propagated species. I went nuts while I was working in Ivan’s booth : giving him a hand with customers. Got some choice cycnoches, : maxillarias, schomburgkias, rodriguezias, and on and on. It was also a : great deal of fun talking shop with a real expert over the course of 2 : days. Thanks Ivan! : : Also met some of the local society members. They have a species : subgroup that is quite well organized. I wish we had that locally as : well. Guess it’ll be up to me to make it happen in Raleigh : : Whew, that was quite a visit. I’m tired but very satisfied. 5 non-stop : orchid days and over 100 plants later this was definitely a trip to : remember. : : Hope you all who haven’t had a chance to visit with these fine folks : check them out some time. They are very professional and genuinely : helpful. : : RJ

Response:

Hi You All, Had a great visit over in sunny San Diego. The show was held at the Del Mar fairgrounds just north of the city. About 30 vendors were present including folks from Mexico, Ecuador and I think Taiwan. Several Hawaiian vendors were there as well but I hear more go to the LA show taking place this weekend. Met a lot of nice local growers and vendors and check out their. Fred from Sunset in particular had some very well grown plants at the show. Got to visit the nurseries of Pam Koide (Bird Rock Tropicals), Andy Phillips (Andy’s Orchids), Concepcion and Jerry Boyd (The Orchid Connection) and Larry Moskovitz (Orchidanica). Pam’s place is 4 buildings with mostly tillandsias and bromeliads but she has 1 GH of orchids that is coming along nicely. Got a nice L anceps and an Epi parkinsonianum from her as well as an assortment of very nice air plants. She has a pretty indoor display garden with Koi and a parrot. Quite lovely. Andy’s place of course is out of this world. I felt very fortunate to be invited to see it because Andy is very cautious of visitors since a guy broke in recently and stole some expensive stuff. He caught the guy but the plants are gone. Darn shame, but he is super cautious now since he’s got over 250,000 plants in there. The place is about an acre divided into 3 distinct areas, all with 5 tiers of plants hanging on their little sticks. I got some choice Bulbophylums and other goodies from him. He’s now got 3,500 species in stock. As has been said before, you could not meet a nicer guy – helpful, courteous and quite knowledgeable. Concepcion and Jerry have started importing Mexican species and have rented a GH in El Cajon where they are mostly selling wholesale. They are doing both stick and pot culture and have a nice setup for things like Catasetums, warmer Masdevallias, Laelias and so on and so forth. Their place is not much to look at but they have some very nice plants. I got about 30 plants so I could make their minimum. I’ll post the list later. Orchidanica has moved from the Bay area and is now near the town of Fallbrook in northern S Diego county. Darn nice high tech commercial GH with mostly hybrids but also some nice species. I got a number of Burmese Bulbophylums from Larry that I have high hopes for, some unidentified as of yet. Ecuagenera, Pepe’s outfit, was present at the show with Ivan, his brother, carrying the banner. Ivan is a very experienced grower with a Horticulture degree from the University of Cuenca. These guys now have 10,000 square meters of space in Cuenca and over 1500 artificially propagated species. I went nuts while I was working in Ivan’s booth giving him a hand with customers. Got some choice cycnoches, maxillarias, schomburgkias, rodriguezias, and on and on. It was also a great deal of fun talking shop with a real expert over the course of 2 days. Thanks Ivan! Also met some of the local society members. They have a species subgroup that is quite well organized. I wish we had that locally as well. Guess it’ll be up to me to make it happen in Raleigh Whew, that was quite a visit. I’m tired but very satisfied. 5 non-stop orchid days and over 100 plants later this was definitely a trip to remember. Hope you all who haven’t had a chance to visit with these fine folks check them out some time. They are very professional and genuinely helpful. RJ