Category: Orchid Doctor

FLOWERS: Left on Cattleya Plants

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago No detrimental effect is caused if flowers are left on the plant until they wither. A65-52 Read More

FLOWERS: Maturing Rates

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Cymbidium sprays of flowers can take several weeks for all flowers on the spike to mature but cattleyas take only four to six days. OD86-222 Read More

FLOWERS: Meaning of "free Blooming"

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago No technical definition has been set, it can mean a plant that blooms most of the year, or several times a year, or has lots of flowers at one time. A83-6000 Read More

FLOWERS: Opening Improperly

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Excessive dryness causes bud sticking; nectar may stick the parts together. A76-206 Read More

FLOWERS: Pressing for Preservation

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Place the flowers between porous paper (blotting); put under a moderate weight; change papers every day or two; some warmth facilitates drying; most genera retain their color remarkably well. OR79-... Read More

FLOWERS: Refrigerated

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago For phalaenopsis a temperature of 48 to 52 deg. F. is best; cymbidiums and other cold-growing orchids take 42 to 45 deg.F. F75-85 Read More

FLOWERS: Removal, to Aid Growth of the Plant

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Only if the plant is weak and poorly rooted; well-established plants do not need it; but a second flowering of a seedling or repotted plant is likely an improvement. A67-330 Read More

FLOWERS: Shelf-life Expectancy

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Various chemical solutions used on cut flowers; 8-hydroxy-quinoline, and the same with sucrose, ascorbic acid and aspirin prolonged the life of cut flowers; ascorbic acid alone had some possible ef... Read More

FLOWERS: Streaky, Cause Unknown

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago It may be caused by an insecticide but not likely; Diazinon 50WP not likely the cause; but individual plants show surprising toxicity reactions; low humidity not a factor; possibly virus. A79-674 Read More

ACID OR ALKALINE: Changing the Values

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Various means can be used: tufa, a limestone form, can be added to paphiopedilums from limestone cliffs; bark composts acidify with age; peatmoss, pine needles, oak leaves in the mix produce acidit... Read More