Paula - sharing her knowledge & experience
Eurobodalla Orchid Club
February, 2019
Eurobodalla Orchid Club
February, 2019
Growing Notes
These notes were taken by Anne-Marie Collins in consultation with Paula after one of Paula’s club presentations…
Deflasking— into 2 litres of tepid water add half a teaspoon of fungicide [ some people use Condy’s Crystals] and 20 drops of plant hormone [ like Plantstarter from Bunnings] Mix and deflask the seedlings into this mixture while you remove the agar. The individual 50mm tubes can be put into a large squat pot which has been lined with a layer of bark then a layer of sphagnum moss. This will help to keep the humidity up for the seedlings. They will need to be sprayed every 4th time with the baby formula. The “baby” formula is 6 drops of Plantstarter, a pinch of Aquasol, in 1 litre of water. The seedlings can be watered with just water when they start to dry out, remembering their roots are short and a wet bottom of the tube does not mean the seedling is damp.
Potting—as the seedlings grow they will need to be up potted. 50 -> 80 -> 100mm in a squat pot. The more ventilation for the roots, the better. The pots should be plant size appropriate [ not over potted]. Layering of bark, then blood & bone with slow release fertiliser, then bark to the top of the pot is recommended. Bark size as fits the pot size. Finally a watering of weak Seasol to help the plant cope with the stress of the repotting.
Lighting— Paula uses a single layer of 70% in Winter but adds another layer of 70% coming into Summer [October]. It is removed as Winter [Easter] approaches. Small Sarcs [ 50 & 80 mm] are kept under the benches, reducing their light and lowering the temperature.
Air Flow—most important to space the plants and give them as much air movement as possible. Paula lives in Tuross Heads with a steady sea breeze, high humidity.
Music—Paula plays the radio [music ] to her Sarcs softly and although no way of proving its benefits—her plants thrive [politicians not played]. No particular music genre.
Medium—Bark is what Paula only uses. It works for her. :) She uses Kiwi bark which needs pre-soaking for 3 to 5 days.
Fertilising—Her plants are fertilised once a week but they also get slow release fertiliser, as per instructions. They receive Epsom salts every 4 to 6 weeks. 1 tablespoon to 5 litres of water and applied carefully
Tips—
- Adult plants receive dolomite [ lime] in Autumn and Spring.
- As her sarcs put out their spikes, they are moved to the section of her Sarc house which has a solid roof—protecting the future flowers. REMEMBER –temperature change will cause bud drop, so think ahead.
- Spraying with Confidor, when necessary, although other pesticides can be used. Be vigilant, look for insect attacks.
- Fungus—Paula doesn’t have this problem [ air flow extremely important ].
- Sarcs grow all year round but Autumn is their main growing time—repot carefully.
- Try not to disturb the roots when repotting adult plants. Don’t remove old bark unless it is crumbling. When lifting out the sarc most unwanted bark will fall away.
Just add new bark to fill the gaps, remember the blood and bone, followed by Seasol.
- If you add blood and bone to the surface—water it in, as it will attract rats.
Specimens— There are not many things more impressive than a specimen Sarc, so grow up those special ones and withstand the temptation to divide. :)
These notes were taken by Anne-Marie Collins in consultation with Paula after one of Paula’s club presentations…
Deflasking— into 2 litres of tepid water add half a teaspoon of fungicide [ some people use Condy’s Crystals] and 20 drops of plant hormone [ like Plantstarter from Bunnings] Mix and deflask the seedlings into this mixture while you remove the agar. The individual 50mm tubes can be put into a large squat pot which has been lined with a layer of bark then a layer of sphagnum moss. This will help to keep the humidity up for the seedlings. They will need to be sprayed every 4th time with the baby formula. The “baby” formula is 6 drops of Plantstarter, a pinch of Aquasol, in 1 litre of water. The seedlings can be watered with just water when they start to dry out, remembering their roots are short and a wet bottom of the tube does not mean the seedling is damp.
Potting—as the seedlings grow they will need to be up potted. 50 -> 80 -> 100mm in a squat pot. The more ventilation for the roots, the better. The pots should be plant size appropriate [ not over potted]. Layering of bark, then blood & bone with slow release fertiliser, then bark to the top of the pot is recommended. Bark size as fits the pot size. Finally a watering of weak Seasol to help the plant cope with the stress of the repotting.
Lighting— Paula uses a single layer of 70% in Winter but adds another layer of 70% coming into Summer [October]. It is removed as Winter [Easter] approaches. Small Sarcs [ 50 & 80 mm] are kept under the benches, reducing their light and lowering the temperature.
Air Flow—most important to space the plants and give them as much air movement as possible. Paula lives in Tuross Heads with a steady sea breeze, high humidity.
Music—Paula plays the radio [music ] to her Sarcs softly and although no way of proving its benefits—her plants thrive [politicians not played]. No particular music genre.
Medium—Bark is what Paula only uses. It works for her. :) She uses Kiwi bark which needs pre-soaking for 3 to 5 days.
Fertilising—Her plants are fertilised once a week but they also get slow release fertiliser, as per instructions. They receive Epsom salts every 4 to 6 weeks. 1 tablespoon to 5 litres of water and applied carefully
Tips—
- Adult plants receive dolomite [ lime] in Autumn and Spring.
- As her sarcs put out their spikes, they are moved to the section of her Sarc house which has a solid roof—protecting the future flowers. REMEMBER –temperature change will cause bud drop, so think ahead.
- Spraying with Confidor, when necessary, although other pesticides can be used. Be vigilant, look for insect attacks.
- Fungus—Paula doesn’t have this problem [ air flow extremely important ].
- Sarcs grow all year round but Autumn is their main growing time—repot carefully.
- Try not to disturb the roots when repotting adult plants. Don’t remove old bark unless it is crumbling. When lifting out the sarc most unwanted bark will fall away.
Just add new bark to fill the gaps, remember the blood and bone, followed by Seasol.
- If you add blood and bone to the surface—water it in, as it will attract rats.
Specimens— There are not many things more impressive than a specimen Sarc, so grow up those special ones and withstand the temptation to divide. :)