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Irongoat
Guest
Just received my first sanderianum cross. It consists of one mature growth (leafspan about 20") and a growth on the way. I'm wondering whether it's blooming size or not. It was advertised as blooming size, but unclear whether this means that my actual division is large enough to bloom, or that the mature growth would be large enough to bloom if it were part of a larger plant.
My other concern (for the moment) is that it came in a standard 5" plastic pot in medium bark and perlite, no drainage at the bottom. My experience with bark in my conditions is that it has three different drying zones and it makes me crazy deciding when to water. I watered it the first morning I had it and it did get noticeably heavier, so I'm not completely panicked. I guess I could just water it when it's light and hope for the best.
I noted on a sphagnum thread that this is not a popular medium here. For whatever reason, sphagnum works well for me on a variety of plants, including cattleyas, but I understand there may be an acid problem with paphs? For me it dries out very evenly (and so I love it already), and within 5-7 days, so sogginess is not a problem. Is it more acidic than bark? Bad for longterm health of the MK?
Guidance, friendly tips all would be appreciated, including answers to questions I wasn't smart enough to ask! I've had several paphs, most doing ok. I have a couple now that are also in bark (Harold Koopowitz and and Lynleigh Koopowitz - guess I'm getting the whole family) that I bedded with a 1/2" layer of sphag to help even out drying. It seems to be working and they're doing well. But with the MK in a bigger pot, I really wanted to check with the experts. Thanks!
John
My other concern (for the moment) is that it came in a standard 5" plastic pot in medium bark and perlite, no drainage at the bottom. My experience with bark in my conditions is that it has three different drying zones and it makes me crazy deciding when to water. I watered it the first morning I had it and it did get noticeably heavier, so I'm not completely panicked. I guess I could just water it when it's light and hope for the best.
I noted on a sphagnum thread that this is not a popular medium here. For whatever reason, sphagnum works well for me on a variety of plants, including cattleyas, but I understand there may be an acid problem with paphs? For me it dries out very evenly (and so I love it already), and within 5-7 days, so sogginess is not a problem. Is it more acidic than bark? Bad for longterm health of the MK?
Guidance, friendly tips all would be appreciated, including answers to questions I wasn't smart enough to ask! I've had several paphs, most doing ok. I have a couple now that are also in bark (Harold Koopowitz and and Lynleigh Koopowitz - guess I'm getting the whole family) that I bedded with a 1/2" layer of sphag to help even out drying. It seems to be working and they're doing well. But with the MK in a bigger pot, I really wanted to check with the experts. Thanks!
John