Recent content by David B

On Saturday April 13th 2024, I received my first First, Class Certificate at AOS judging. The plant was purchased from SVO approx. 18 months ago. My 7' x 27' hobby greenhouse is set up with large mature blooming size plants hanging above and small plants on a bench below, with 12 hours daily...

Of course mericlones should be awarded. Most mericlones exist because of their superior quality and genetic characteristics, and are very often cloned only after and because they are awarded. The problem with mericlones arises when a plant owner is unsure or does not know their plant is a...

That is a wow, when I got the plant to grow, I thought it was a recent purchase by him, I also did not know he had made a post of Pink Pearls, somehow I missed that. I believe I have had it for approx. 2/3 years, having a hobby greenhouse 8' x 26' allows for the plant to have better ambient...

This wonderful cattleya trianae has had an exciting month of March 2024. It opened it's flowers on the 1st of March, and was taken to AOS judging in Toronto on March 9th. I had wanted to save if for the Montreal les Orchidophiles Show judging on March 16th, but a 550 km. trip can sometimes be...

Thanks, that is helpful, my conditions are intermediate most of the year but I do get to 30c. in mid summer. I also harvest rainwater and use it exclusively. Also I am noticing that the results of using supplemental light October to April on my bench under hanging plants is leading to improved...

Since you have grown this successfully, I would appreciate your growing advice, I have not grown this species but find that it has that necessary species charm that would add greatly to an orchid exhibit when grown well. Potting mix, temp. humidity, and watering regime would be helpful. Also...

An information discussion on schilleriana would be welcome, in show competition schilleriana grown well and presented well can easily win best phalaenopsis species. Now if the form and color quality is also there the possibilities of awards are greatly expanded. Below is my schilleriana which...

Most of the cattleya posting here has been done by Dr. Leslie Ee as the best clones have been his plants, many of which I have grown. One day he will have a facility to grow in a well managed environment. This past weekend, I received best cattleya species and best plant in show at the nearby...

Please forgive me! The members on this site are capable of being well" above the rest" and I believe mostly superior growers who can lead by example and inspire others. When I see, they are all pretty, I really like it, it's very nice, I do not feel that that is inspiring. We are all ruled by...

Not sure what to say, my first impression is of uncertainty for me gaskelliana is a mid summer bloomer and labiata a mid fall bloomer. I have never done a test to see if greenhouse natural light vs. under lights changes the bloom season, but it is a test worth doing. Three labiatas below, note...

I just read everything that was written by all, where are you seeing anything that is written by anyone that would suggest that someone, anyone has said your plant is not Cashen's ?

When I repot I always move the plant into a clean pot. All used pots are first scrub washed, and then immersed into a bucket containing at least 10% bleach for a minimum of 7 days. I use large river stones to hold plastic pots below the water level. Similarly, all used medium is washed to remove...

I am not going to chip in at the moment, but scale are insidious little mothers that can also spread disease from plant to plant. I have had success eradicating these, but do not underestimate their ability to persist. I have a step by step process, treating, observing and quarantining before I...

I can't advise what to use as everyone has different access to systemic fungicide bactericide. Below is a nbs dowiana I had that became infected, It died within two weeks. A Dr. told me that some growers use intermittent preventative treatment for this species. I am determined to grow and bloom...

Not trying to steal any thunder, just glad to see someone else growing this. The fragrance on this hybrid is an absolute plus. The flowers last and travel very well, usually displaying themselves enthusiastically with average flower count being very uniform per inflorescence. It competes very...