Category: Orchid Doctor

POTTING: Layered

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Different mixes used in layers in the pot; for cattleya culture a layer of one part bark to one part charcoal is placed in the bottom third; two parts perlite and one part peat moss is placed in th... Read More

POTTING: Overpotting of Seedlings by Design

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago A reasonably safe method is to choose a well-drained container which avoids sogginess, such as a Rand Aircone plastic pot and use a mix of coarse pebbles as drainage, then a layer of hardwood charc... Read More

POTTING: Repotting

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago For a lot of pointers on when to do it for most popular genera and how to do it with what materials with detailed instructions and many illustrations, refer to A81-1437 Read More

POTTING: The Orchid Block System

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago As a potting mix it offered many advantages; refer to OA82-6Consisted of a styrofoam block shaped to fit inside regular pots, topped with shredded foam rubber and shredded long-fibered sphagnum mix... Read More

POTTING: Wear Rubber Gloves

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Sterilize them in solution each time; it is impractical to wash hands free of pathogens each time. OD67-50 Read More

POWER FAILURE: How to Cope in Summer

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago In Southern California, in case of an emergency, be prepared with heatless motor vent controls (non-electric), a thermal chimney eight ft. by 1 foot square, water-sprinklers on the greenhouse roof ... Read More

PREDATORS: For Pest Control

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Ladybugs are used as a remedy against aphids very successfully up to a point, but before all the aphids were exterminated the ladybugs disappeared, presumably to look for a larger supply elsewhere.... Read More

PREDATORS: In the Greenhouse

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago A mealybug predator called Cryptolaemus montrouzieri ordered in lots of 100, in four days reduced a heavy mealybug infestation, but the predators' numbers were reduced drastically by some unknown c... Read More

PREDATORS: Phytoseiulus Persimilis

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago It is a mite which controls two-spotted mites in the greenhouse, on such as cymbidiums; they are active and voracious and effective, but it tends to die out through lack of prey, therefore it has t... Read More

PRESERVATIVES: For "pickling" Flowers

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted almost 8 years ago Place a small flower in a clear glass pill bottle and fill with alcohol; or use clear rum, which is an excellent preservative. RMH Read More