Category: Orchid Doctor

FLOWERS: When to Remove

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago If culture is good flowers can be left on until they drop; early cutting not likely to improve the next flowering. C72-216 Read More

FLOWERS: Whitish "etching" Damage on Petals

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago It ruins blooms of such as Dend. phalaenopsis and others; can be caused by chemical spray burns, or a calcium residue from hard tap water. A85-192 Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Ballasts

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Higher priced fixtures have ballasts which are rated at .85 amps, the cheaper ones are rated at .675 amps, or 30% less light, regardless of the type of bulb used, so take a good look before you buy... Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Best Height Above Cattleyas

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Two inches; prop up the small plants. A70-427; A75-298 Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Cattleya Types Produce Only Vegetative Growth

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Keep night temperatures to 60-62 deg.F. and days to 78-85 deg.F., with not more than 13 hours light. A69-424 Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Cost of Electricity

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago In 1977 the monthly cost for electricity was about $3.84 for four tubes burning 16 hours a day, with space for 50 plants. A77-897 Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Details

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago The life expectancy on a one-only start of a lamp is 18,000 to 20,000 hours; with a daily on/off routine the expectancy is 12,000 hours in three years; the initial brightness diminishes rapidly for... Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: Footcandles At Various Distances

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Illumination reduces quickly on increasing inches distant from lamps; examples: one inch from two lamps gives 1,1OOfc.; at three inches 680fc.; at six inches 420fc.; at nine inches 300fc. US Dept. ... Read More

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS: For Paphiopedilums

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Two 48" Wide Spectrum, with two 48" cool-white tubes and with four 25-watt incandescents in one reflector gives 1,000 fc. five inches from the tubes; with 13 to 15 hours per day as adequate for pap... 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