The Orchid Garden

SPCDH?

Question:

: I feel, at this time, oddly compelled to renew my membership : in Arthur Koestler’s _SPCDH_ . . . . : : (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dead Horses) *kick* *kick* Get up, you stupid horse! We still have to ride off into the sunset in glory! -j

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I feel, at this time, oddly compelled to renew my membership : in Arthur Koestler’s _SPCDH_ . . . . : : (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dead Horses) *kick* *kick* Get up, you stupid horse! We still have to ride off into the sunset in glory! -j

Yeah, I know (sheepishly) but cheap shots are all I can afford . . . . -Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Judging by our customer’s responses, I’d say the opposite may be true. : Most report better growth of plants we’ve sent them in clear pots versus : plants in green. We’re talking 1000’s of plants sent out in clear over : the last 5 years. Terry had mentioned in a previous post that all the : plants we send are in clear pots. The figure is probably about 10%. Most : compotted plants are too small to go directly into the clear pots and : usually an item is sold out before they grow large enough to go into the : clear as well -Rod- I have a few problems with this argument. First, the only clear pot I know of offhand is Rand’s Aircone pots, which is not exactly a standard green (round or square) pot. Second, you’re basing results on uncontrollable (no way to normalize results) customer responses. Third, judging by the comment that smaller, presumably less established plants are going into green pots and larger, established plants go into clear pots. That pretty much guarentees better results for the clear pots. Besides, if you’re worried about getting light to roots mount the plant. You won’t have to worry about all that light absorbed by the clear pots (hold one up in the sun and look at the shadow it casts). -j, skeptic who believes the clear pots are worthwhile for the algal growth – the natural look. Actually, what we use and sell is a clear "band pot". While one source for them is Ray, they are not aircones. In addition, I see reports from various different sources as being better than a report from only one. The conclusion is that many people, with various levels of expertise, in widely different growing conditions, apparently are impressed with the results. As for the plants being larger, I would respond in the same way. Size is no measure of future results, only of past performance. Do I claim that clear pots are a magic bullet? Nope. I don’t even believe in the notion. What I claim, from my own experience, is that where our plants (for instance) in 3" green pots may have roots extending 6 or 8 inches below the pot, similar sized plants in clear pots may have roots up to 1-2 feet long, hanging below the benches, intruding into neighboring trays, etc. There’s a clear difference -Rod- Venger’s Orchids Website http://www.vengers.com/

Rod and Jeffery, hello! A casual rereading of text and citations by Withner, Dressler, et.al. turned-up a consensus: Velamen’s role on roots is not totally understood; various orchid genera may utilize it in differently Velamen is, except for its newest growth (if any) "dead" . . . inert Velamen varies considerably from genera to genera (as illustrated in interesting SEM photos) Velamen can and does host algae (which would absorb light, while the velamen itself would reflect light away (unlike polar "ice sponges" whose labyrinthian exterior actually serves to conduct/reflect leght inward to hosted/necessary microfloras Phoyosynthesis in roots could/would be a disadvantage to all but those orchids that have adapted to such (the leafless and near-leafless types; and the "scaled" Vandae) Velamen can/does host mycorrhiza which _may_ be of great benefit to certain orchids; however, mycorrhiza is not photo-dependant and speaking of "air cones": great for "specimen" size orchids . . . especially those Catts that head out in many directions; quite a show come blossom time! (an inverted plastic cup, perforated, set over the drain-hole in a big clay potworks well too re air circulation and consequent even drying of the media!) -Bob Goebel Botana Orchid Books & Art p/s: the books by both the above mentioned scientists are each entitled "The Orchids" . . . and there is also much discussion at the "photosynthesis" and "hydroponic" sites on the net (and a deja-vu of rec.gardens.ponds) 6-8 inches vs 1-2 feet?! p/s I feel, at this time, oddly compelled to renew my membership in Arthur Koestler’s _SPCDH_ . . . . (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dead Horses)

Response:

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