It's orchid maintenance; glass vases

M.E.s Orchids

[@maxineellis9185]

Thank you for that quick response. The vase will be much lighter to pick up as well!

[@helenhawkins4054]

Finally your videos have inspired me to have a go with a phal in a glass vase. They look so good.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Give it a try Helen, but only one, just in case!

[@luca6478]

thank you I love all the great ideas

[@angelbabesuz1612]

Fabulous! I am praying my orchid survives after following your instructions....thank you Margaret....Susan

[@hedy_7084]

How is it doing?

[@angelbabesuz1612]

@@hedy_7084 Well gone...died! :(

[@hedy_7084]

Suz oh no!

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

What a wonderful tool and how nice of your subscriber to gave sent it to you. Men can be so practical, can't they?

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I wish I had thought of something like that; like you say, men can be so practical :)

[@greeneyedmimibostian3013]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@DavidMiller-xb1hr]

Enjoy Margaret so useful

[@karlawoods2098]

Dragon's blood is good on wounds too. I used it on my phal that had crown rot and was able to stop it. So far so good.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

End, of Ed's Orchids swears by Dragon's blood. I will get some!

[@marlenebornman1841]

Dragobs blood is bit mercurochrome

[@trangson998]

My leaves are flopping down. What does it mean? All of your orchids leaves are so happy and hard. Any Ideas? What do you feed them with? Much appreciated. Thank You for answering. I love your Chanel.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Trang, if you leaves are floppy that is an indication that your orchid is under stress. This could be overwatering, under watering, or the orchid hasn't adjusted to your environment. Don't despair, we all experience this type of problem. If your orchid is new to your environment, it will take time to adjust, this might be anything up to six months. I have one that will not come back, its floppy leaves just hang, but I don't know why, I have tried everything. I now fertilise regularly, twice a week at times, with a TDS from around 150 to 200. I make up my own fertilisers mixing them as I go. I always use calcium nitrate, which looks like a bag of salt, but only a pinch, then I sometimes add either seaweed extract, an NPK proprietary mix, and even a splash of Miracle Gro, azalea, camellia and rhododendron mix; I like to give a variety of different fertilisers, so that my orchids are getting the trace elements they require to stay strong and healthy. Good luck!

[@trangson998]

Margaret East thank you❤️

[@lianepetersoncampbell3238]

Clever idea on the styrofoam disk at the bottom of vase 👍

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Liane, I'm always thinking of what I can make use of. 😉

[@sippigrrrl]

Liane Peterson Campbell I agree! I have a large bag of styrofoam peanuts at home that I've washed really well and dried with my blow dryer (this ensures that none are the eco-friendly peanuts that dissolve in water, plus it makes sure they're clean and safe for use when I need them). I just use a very weak solution of Physan 20 and water and then stir them around in a pot of water that's as hot as I can put my gloved hands into, and after about ten minutes or so I'll strain them and rinse them in the strainer with hot HOT water, and then I'll lay them on a towel for a day or two, then if they're still not dry, I'll use my hair dryer on high heat, but the lowest setting so there's not a snowstorm of styrofoam in my "Orchid Room" and besides, if I put them into their container while there's still moisture in them, I risk mold growing in them, which would just be a nightmare. My boyfriend says that I'm too worried about cleanliness for plants that will just be in dirt, but then I roll my eyes (not in his sight!) and explain how sensitive they are to unfamiliar infectious organisms, and then I remind him how much money I (and he) have invested into my hobby, and how happy they make me, and then he seems to get it. Sometimes men come up with the best ideas, like using my leftover sterile suture removal kits from after my car accident: already sterile, they include a sharp scissor and a very precise tweezers, and those are both easily sterilized, too, so I think he does get it. ❤️ But the styrofoam works with orchids in so many ways, it's very good to keep some on hand.

[@liliancampos119]

Hello Margaret just came across your channel I know this vid of from 2018, but I just wanted to mentioned that I hardly cut into the roots when I have to trim any gone roots, the dry parts I cut right to the tip of that and new roots grow from the sides. Thank You

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Your comment is really appreciated Lilian and I hope your orchid grows from strength. The root system you have is called a branching root system.

[@liliancampos119]

Thank you Margaret, I don't get many root growth during the winter so every little bit for me counts, I try to handle them only for repotting and when I am checking roots I try no to cut unless it is strictly rutted, very happy to see how your method works so well for you

[@roz.russell8122]

Hi Margaret, thank you for your videos, it is good to have someone that isnt in America, the weather is different and humidity, can you tell me what you have on top of the styrofoam, is it stones?

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Roz, yes it is stones or it might be lava lick. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my video.

[@KarenFae101]

I think the bark would come off easier if you spray mist them first. Just a thought. 😊

[@Matilda52]

I have just watched this inspiring video again and noticed that you said you don't grow your orchids this way anymore. Is there a reason for that? I tried growing 3 phals in semi-hydro for a few weeks and have just removed them as the roots were rotting. I obviously have a lot to learn! I have now decided to put them bare-rooted in glass vases - as in this video, and hope they recover.

[@karlawoods2098]

They all look healthy though!!!

[@poodlepup1]

i just use any stones from the garden Margaret...??? was everything ok with them phals when you just left them in the smaller stones in the vases???... that is why i tried this with you... as i am getting good results with roots/ leaves... remember that the older roots will die off or keep going ... the other thing is i dont tend to cut the roots i let them seal them selves and then i cut the dried out tips...that way no rot sets in... unless the whole root is dead ....

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Chris, the decorative stones were fine, no issues. However, when I came to clean the vase, to get the stones out was a bit precarious insomuch as I was frightened it would crack the glass vase. Lava rock isn't as heavy as grow stones, that's my only reason for using that type of media. Glad to hear all your phals are doing well. I wonder then, perhaps I will leave the roots to see if they will heal themselves. Have a good week and take care :)

[@poodlepup1]

hey Margaret... i have used a slightly larger stone in there and I will today send those pics for you wish i could attach here for you and others to see.... i move the stones around the glass vases all the time especially when emptying the fertilisers / water out each week....i still have those ikea vases everyone was buying for WC ... and a few plastic jugs etc... each week when doing the fertilising etc.. i check and cut any dead old dried out roots that the plant has left and check all new growth...the plants have a great way of cutting off old growth if you check it will seal on its own and then can even put out new growth on an old root half way along and branch out... you can see sometimes the plant will use old roots to cling to to and continue to grow for support , that is another reason that i dont go in and cut everything out...again unless the roots are rotting and black and smelly is different... have a great day and again thank you for taking the time as rick and everyone else does to do the videos for us all...xx

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Chris, if you get chance and you still have my email address, then please send me some photos. Thank you also for taking the time to send me such an interesting response. It's still warm here, wish it would rain, just a little. Take care :)

[@keesandroelyscholtus3934]

Hi Margaret, very informative video. Can I use clay marbles the same way as lava rock? Thank you.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Jess, clay pebbles are another form of hydroponic substrate, so you can certainly use them.

[@HamimChowdhury]

Hello margarate i am writting in this video to be in the same page with you about my understanding in taking lessons from you . To day we had rain for one hour . and I water my mounts yesterday not socking just pouring water . And i also pour water at few pots and some pots i water day before yesterday . When this is the situation after to days rain in the evening , can i pour only fertiliser a little ? as there was a flushing by rain and my last application of NPK was 3./5 days ago !!! So if you take this situation and advice me then i can take a model example what to do and i can remain in the same page with you about feed intervals !! about catt and onsidium i am clear !! Except these two . i need to know about others !!

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I don't fertilise separately, my orchids get rain water/fertiliser each time. I don't have a specific time for flushing, this occurs when I can't be bothered to mix my fertilisers together. The orchids I showed in my over watering video (in the clay pots) received water (don't forget, it includes fertiliser), yesterday, but only enough to see it trickle out the bottom. I will leave them 3 days, but might not water then, because our temperatures are dropping to 17c on Sunday and I need them to remain dry. There will be enough humidity in the room; I would separate my orchids only in stones (nothing else) and water every day, I do this with two of my Dendrobiums which have nothing around the roots. The ones with a varied amount of media stones, charcoal, bark, coconut, rice, etc I wouldn't water as often, if it rained for an hour, I would leave them and on the 3rd day, water and feed. Your orchids won't die, they need to almost dry, before watering. Am I understanding, you are watering and then fertilising within a few days of each other. This might be too much. My vandas will be put into my tub of water/feed today, their sphagnum moss is bone dry, but they are absolutely fine; I will also water/feed my other Vandaceous types, these have gone three days and, again, their moss is bone dry. I probably have 160 orchids, which are all watered individually, which can be an enormous task, so I divide them into days; only when we go into really hot weather, do I change my routine.

[@HamimChowdhury]

Margaret East You sound so logical !! But i am too much scared if they die ? But i found now they do die due to much water !! Thanks for sharing from your personal pactise !! Great operation and care .

[@roz.russell8122]

Hi Margaret, many thanks for your reply, can I also ask: it looks like you have cut the top from a leaf or two, I have a rescue Phal with a couple of black spots on the end of her leaf, can I cut this off?

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Roz, you can certainly cut the leaf, but I would suggest only at a last resort. The phals I have that are cut weren't cut by me. I always try to avoid cutting into a leaf, especially a thick leaf like a Phalaenopsis, better to rub a bit of cinnamon on the black spot first to see if that will contain it. A cut is a permanent feature and esthetically not as pleasing to the eye. Hope this helps, but the choice must be yours 😉

[@paulnowak7669]

Margaret, you do a lot of work with your phal's roots. Do you get many flowers from your orchids? You don't show many.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

One of my big white phals bloomed its heart out for 18 months, so I don't expect any blooms from that one. Two of my other big phals have given me excellent leaf growth, no no spikes. The white phal you see in bloom now has taken me 3 years to bloom, this was an eBay purchase. Hopefully, next year I might get more blooms from my orchids; scale was a big problem for me as well. All in all though if your phal or other types of orchids have a good root system, then eventually your orchid will bloom. Thanks for leaving me a comment Paul.

[@susanehlava3808]

Do you ever fertilise the orchids?

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Susane, I used to be frightened of feeding my orchids, but this past 6 months, I have fertilised every time I water. Only occasionally do I flush. The difference in root growth and plant growth is extraordinary; in nature orchids have a constant supply of calcium and other nutrients, followed by continual downpours, hence the flushing! I never fertilise high amounts, just little and often. I trust this helps you and thank you for dropping by. Stay safe

[@karlawoods2098]

The Styrofoam is a great idea!

[@leconteprescillia9473]

bonsoir vous mettez quoi au fond de votre vase du polysterene est des cailloux et vous laisser toujours en eau est de l'engrais ou pas merci

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Salut Prescilla, j'ai du polystyrene au fond avec de la pierre de lave ou de petites pierres de croissance,. Le niveau d'eau doit etre maintenu bas, surtout en hiver. J'arrose avec de l'eau de pluie chaude et engrais tres `economiquement en hiver. Less Phalaenopsis cultives de cette maniere n'aiment pas leurs racines dans l'eau froide, car elles vont pourrir.

[@leconteprescillia9473]

@@orchidsgardeninengland1682 bonsoir ses quoi les pierres de croissance on peut pas mettre des cailloux ,est l'engrais faut mettre tout les combien de temps merci

[@maxineellis9185]

Hello Margaret. Do you use the discs for all your orchids in vases. Is the disc to provide more humidity? Will the roots be able to hydrate just from the damp lava rocks. Thank you.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Maxine, the disk is just a base to act as a platform to rest my lava rock/grow stones on. The roots of the phaelanopis will hydrate from the moisture in the media. Having the disk enables me to have a level of water which is accessible to the roots without them actually sitting in water. Roots love styrofoam. They will grow through it without a problem and as the water level isn't too deep, the roots will soon penetrate the styrofoam, if they need to search out the water. Great question!

[@coimbrasantosangela]

Hello. I use telhas

[@mbozkurt4431]

Çok ğüzel çok şık çok estetik oldu da merak ediyorum sulama işlemi nasıl olucak altında delik yok

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Merhaba, bu yöntemde büyüdügünüzde, herhangi bir delige ihtiyaciniz olmaz, tabanda çok fazla su olmadikça çok basarili bir sekilde büyürler.

[@mbozkurt4431]

@@orchidsgardeninengland1682 ğünaydın marğaret anladım çok teşekkür ederim deniycem

[@KarenFae101]

Are all your orchids in water now! Beautiful!

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Karen, I don't have any of my orchids in water now, I only use the water method if my orchid is suffering. I coverted all my phals back to bark and although it took them a couple of months to adjust they are now romping away.

[@humpty2488]

how did you do fertilizer ,please ...

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I don't actually grow my orchids this way any more.

[@luckyv.8643]

Thank you for your reply !

[@YnseSchaap]

Dear Margaret, please don't show dentist appliances in the early morning ;-)

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I thought it might be one of those tooth pickers!

[@YnseSchaap]

;-)

[@HamimChowdhury]

Margaret East Look funy but usefull indeed ; ~)

[@heniabenali3597]

Hello what did you put in the vase please

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

It was quite a while ago, but I use some firm if crocking i.e. lava rock, grow stones, or any kind of horticultural grit. You can just grow in styrofoam (packing peanuts as we refer to them), because the roots love to grow through it.

[@basanta110]

@@orchidsgardeninengland1682 Dear Margaret, I am from Kathmandu, I was simply fascinated by your technic of planting Phalaenopsis in vase, I m going to try it myself

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Kathmandu, wow! I am fascinated that our love of orchids connects us and we learn from each other. I have several phalaenopsis growing in glass vases all in active root growth. This time of the year (Summer) the phals really appreciate the access to water and the humidity afforded by water. However, during our long cold winters the level of water has to be minimal. I have just tied a Tolumnia on to an unusual piece of granite I found in the garden, keeping my fingers crossed. If you have a KZbin channel please share your link, so that I may follow you.