Newly Posted Articles

CYMBIDIUMS: Shading Green Flowers

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Shade them shortly after buds are exposed from the sheath; this prevents red pigments forming to cause muddy coloration later. OA75-179 Read More

CHARCOAL: In Cymbidium Mix

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Has many good qualities to recomend it; used in many parts of the world; one questionable point is its filtering effect whereby modern insecticides and fungicides added to the mix may be adsorbed a... Read More

SOW BUGS: In Fir Bark

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Control by dusting the surface of the pot mix with Sevin dust 5%. A82-1061 Read More

CHARCOAL: Potting Medium

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Oak charcoal with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 has the least effect on the pH of the mix; adsorbs cyclic organic compounds; is safe for plants but its main advantage is physical support. A81-1311 Read More

PLASTIC, GREEN: For Greenhouse Shading

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago It can be used to reduce the light up to 65%, but it removes good plant-growing red light from the plants, and some heat rays on clear days that might otherwise be useful. A74-502 Read More

PLASTICS: Toxic to Plants

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Non-orchid plant seedlings have been killed in new glass houses by a plasticizer called dibutyl phthlate (DBP) but not by a related product called didecyl phthlate; DBP occurs in some PVC pipe used... Read More

HUMIDIFIERS: Portable Unit Develops Fungus Growth

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago To control this, use Physan 20 one drop in three-quarters of a gallon of water. A78-698 Read More

PLEIONES: Starting

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Place them in an appropriate mix, not more than 1/4 of their depth down in early spring, mist them lightly and infrequently; do not water them until their roots have entered the compost; water will... Read More

BARK: Potting Mix

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago A typical mixture would have about 15 parts medium bark, 1-1/2 parts coarse Perlite, 174 part charcoal chips (quarter-inch size). OR87-173For cymbidiums in a high humidity area near the ocean in Ca... Read More

OUTDOORS GROWING: In Miami Area

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago "grow or go" applies to orchids of minor importance in a large garden; plants are attached especially to oak trees on the east side at a point where water sprinklers hit a window-screener pouch wit... Read More