Let's Experiment With Dendrobium cuthbertsonii

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

your other option is to set the plastic pots over the trays (rather than the pots in the trays) and direct a computer fan toward them, where some of the air will blow in through the drainage holes to keep air moving but the humidity stays up.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@martinafaust4851]

Hi Roger, why don't you put the clear pots as covers on top? The clear post have holes in the bottom, so ventilation should not be a problem. But the pots will increase the humidity.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@helenhawkins4054]

Very creative, it should work definitely worth a try.🤞

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@Banano91f]

Impossible for me to grow dendrobium cuthbertsonii but interesting to see the microclimate attempts! Thanks for sharing

[@KP-gw5zv]

I will be interested in how they will grow this way. I am looking forward to the updates as these are one of my future orchids that I want to add to my collection. Thank you and have a great day

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Compared to most other Dendrobiums, these need very high air humidity.

[@tonyl5480]

I have mine in a 3” pot with sphagnum and it’s doing very well.

[@lorapoynter9162]

That looks like a good setup nestled in the moss. Mine are tucked in with trays of fern sporelings , pretty much in a fog bank. Much wetter than any of my other orchids want.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

What I really need is an enclosed area where I can keep the humidity at 90%.

[@peterbondy2949]

Very interesting. I may try this plant in my terrarium. Pete from Canada

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They would do well in there.

[@marilyntraub920]

hi rodger can you use your pots for a dome ?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@anadanaya]

Hi Roger you can also use the pots as domes :)

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@lesliebray8114]

great experiment ! look forward to updates!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@orchidelirium9102]

Better than doing the same thing and expecting different results. Worth some experimenting. Good luck with it.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@Muffin21814]

Hi Roger, set the plastic pots over top of plants. I agree, they were staying too dry.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@maureenhauser9423]

Your very clever good job

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@karlawoods2098]

Interesting. Would like to try these but your environment is very good. Thank you

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Lynn Smith grows these very well but I couldn't get them to grow.

[@angiebaltrukonis7343]

Hi Roger. How about cutting the top off of a seedling cover to increase humidity in your moss trays?

[@likowahine5825]

Look really good. It probably would also grow by the Kokedama style.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Maybe - but a flat tray will give off more humidity.

[@patsfreund9164]

An interesting experiment. Looking forward to future updates on these orchids.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@victoriabrownfrank4328]

I use a glass fish bowel type to keep my high needs in. When you can get out and look at second hand stores you may find what you need. Glad to hear you feeling better.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@sandragoodson1892]

seems like a good idea. Hope it works!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@kevinator41]

This is of great interest! Lost all my cuthbertsonii in the past keep us informed Roger

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I think the important thing is high humidity.

[@markarel7117]

Hello Roger, good luck with the new setup. I'd think, since you've "cleared out" so many plants recently and made more space, you'd be able to set up a cloud forest shelf in your grow-room. A cool Wardian case in your shelving, as it were. Also, for your viewers questions video, I've got one: If you had the budget, what would be your ideal orchidarium? A 20' x 20' two storey greenhouse? Some mechanical improvements to your current room? A home in Belize? Something else?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

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[@valeriemelanson4131]

If positioning your little trays on the moss trays doesn't provide enough humidity, try Inverting the clear orchid pots with lots of drainage holes over your little trays. I would think they'd make excellent mini humidity chambers. Or another option - you could try a modified neofinetia potting up. I grow inside my north facing apartment with grow lights. I wrapped my D. cuthbertsonii 'Pepe' in long fibre sphagnum moss to make a ball (no interior aeration like for a neo) and inserted the ball in a plastic neo pot. I keep it consistently damp but it can drain adequately as it is perched on some rocks in a drip tray. I have it by the sliding glass door to the garden, so it catches some cool breezes & draughts. It has kept flowering consistently since March 2019 and has some new growths too, so this setup is working for me.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Many suggested the up-turned pots but they are not clear so would shut out too much light. I will see how they do in the moss for a while.

[@lynnbrooks5503]

You could’ve used the clear pots as comes over the trays, they have holes to allow for aeration.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They're not clear so would shut out too much light.

[@be6715]

Roger, take one of your clear plastic pots, turn upside down, and put over the top of one of the plants. Leave the other uncovered. Now that would be a good experiment. :)

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

The pots aren't clear so would shut out too much light.

[@annebroder9902]

Hi Roger! I will be interested to see how this turns out. I have a little christyanum which is not doing so good, I need to shake things up!

[@shirleyholt898]

Very interesting 🧐. I’m curious to see how they grow on. Please keep us updated on their progress. Where did you get live spagnum moss ? 🤔

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I can collect it but this batch was bought from a garden centre in a large bag. They sell it to line hanging baskets.

[@wandashaw3551]

Could you use your plastic pots upside down on top of your plants, like a dome? Good luck!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@toms.2017]

Roger, Nice video. I like the idea of trying different setups as opposed to watching a plant slowly decline until it is no more. Question for you, the trays you grow your moss in. Do you have the moss sitting in the bottom of the tray or do you support the moss on a bed of Pea Gravel as any example? May not be a issue now with your current temperatures, but during the summer is possible the water will evaporate faster. Pea gravel may provide a bit of thermal mass to maintain a cooler temps around your root zone as we transition into summer weather while also providing a larger water reservoir.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

It seems to grow ok in just water.

[@erikashangingorchidgarden5670]

Brilliant idea. What other orchids would do with this set up? I assume you don’t need to rest this in the winter?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Any miniature that needs high humidity. (These don't rest in Winter but do grow slower.)

[@sandiesorchids9387]

Or put the pots over top of them

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

They are not clear so would shut out too much light and there would be no air-flow.

[@lkh511981]

Hi Roger, I've seen you go through multiple potting/mounting methods with a few of your orchids trying to find what works. How long do you generally wait to see if one is successful before trying something different, assuming the plant isn't giving any obvious signs of being happy or distressed?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Depends on the time of year. 3-6 months?

[@brokenkeys1112]

I had a terrible experience with cuthbertsoniis, I bought a flask knowing that they are pretty difficult to grow. I ordered a flask but the seller kindly deflasked them for me and put them in a plastic container with sphagnum moss, I was too busy to pot them so left them in the plastic container and before I realized white snowflake mold was growing everywhere. By the time I realized all the little ones were dead so I soaked the survivors in fungicide, sprayed them with rubbing alcohol and potted them up but the mold kept coming back and killed even more and now I only have 2 left from a flask of 20

[@KP-gw5zv]

Quick comment: Once these get better why not put them directly into the live moss trays since they grow in moss in their own environment.

[@larryjones558]

“Now we will add a little bit of oww!” Lol. Now we know the secret to your success. How do they say it? No pain no new growths.

[@tess.campbell]

I'll keep my hands off your Shreddies but I will have one slice of your bread, toasted and with butter!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I don't eat the Shreddies very often - they get used as a healthy snack.