NYC --> BRB

A dedicated friend misting orchids. A trip to the Bronx botanical would be in order..

Cattleytonia Why not 'Roundabout'

 

Sweet little surprise





 And a few days later.... 

even sweeter

Thank you for becoming a member of the American Orchid Society!

Hi, John...
The Schomburgkia will tolerate full sun... the others would prefer a little more shade, but it depends on what time of the day they are getting the brightest light. If the plants are in direct sun during the middle of the day (say, 10:30am to about 2pm), they will probably sunburn. This is the time when they need a little shade. If they're getting early morning sun, they're probably fine.

      On your terrace the breeze is probably drying the plants more quickly than they prefer. You might have to water more often... this will help rinse any salt off the plants. The Schomburgkia is less prone to effects from the salt, as it grows in coastal areas. But even so, the plants get rinsed by the rain fairly quickly.

Hope that helps!

Julie
R.F. Orchids
     

On Sun, Aug 18, 2013 at 10:13 PM, Terrace Gardener <jmf.sofla@gmail.com> wrote:
> In the past month, I’ve bought the following from you:
>
> Schnomburgkia Thomsonia
>
> Aerides fieldingii
>
> Aeride lawrenciae
>
> Cattleytonia ‘why not’
>
> Prosthecea radiate
>
>  (I wonder if a 12 step program is going to become necessary? )
>
> Here’s my situation. I garden on my terrace (33’x12’)- south facing -
> on the 4th floor of my building.
>
> We often have a breeze coming off the ocean.  I live about a mile from
> the ocean and I know the breeze carries salty spray..
>
> Will the salt spray dehydrate the roots? Is it possible to keep plants
> free enough of salt ..enough to allow them to thrive?
>
> Does this group look to be fairly sun tolerant.. 4 hours of am sun?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions / info you can give.
>
> --
> John Ferguson
> jmf.sofla@gmail.com

The very best of Homestead, FL

 

Very fruitful visit to RF Nursery in Homestead (2nd time in one month) 

Todays purchases include:



Went for fragrance with these. The aerides lawrenciea has 2 nice spike setting buds. I want to train thick vines on newly installed trellis (on columns) and then hang these mounted orchids. Need to offer them some protection to sun and breezes.

Make shade, let's grow begonias

 



the state of affairs

Jungle Town

Dutchman's pipe on this one-- such an aggressive grower, train onto trellis, draping up and over handrails. A mounding mass of foliage-- an overgrown tropical mass.. if only I had some kudzu..




 

A few days later, a palm frond to provides a little shade for the bromeliads (and companion orchids),  newly freed from the shadehouse.

 

Contraceptives don't seem to be advocated among the orchids on the opposite column.. Moss, wood, and bromeliads soon to keep these girls company.





 

Sheltered under the canopy

 

Begonias Selph and Bandit tucked in under a palm. Now, a few months to acclimate.

Just a pic, this eve

 

 

Burstin' out- a fish and a bird

Hot n' steamy

A good foliar feed with MiracleGro before the sun hit the patio. It was a warm, humid morning. Hopefully the heat prompted the leaves (and exposed roots) to absorb their breakfast with gusto. I dream of big, beautiful begonia leaves. The Asian clematis is setting buds. It has a very sweet scent.



a PHOE hybrid-- this is a rhizomatous begonia in bloom... I forget the name-- b. "Dopey" I think

A closer look at potting mixes

Repotted b "Selph's Mahogany" in a handsome terracotta urn-like pot. I prepped the pot by drilling a 3/4" hole for fine drainage. Laid in some lava rock and covered with grass blocker (breathable fabric). I'm experimenting with new potting mixes. This was: 6 cups MiracleGro Moisture Control potting soil which is rich in humus organic matter, 2 cups perlite, 2 cups sphagnum moss and 1 cup orchid bark. Wonder if the bark will acidify the soil a little (maybe help offset salty breezes?). The mix will stay moist and the terracotta should keep it's feet dry (the large drainage hole will help here).

 



Selph in a new Polyclay Terra Cotta finish urn $16.95 deep enough to support the erect rhizomes of randy boy "Selph's Mahogany"

 I repotted b. " Bandit" a rhizomatous with gorgeous sharply incised palmate leaves becoming a deep emerald when if kept from direct sun. This experiment consisted of a metal basket, lined with coco mat. The potting mix was 4 cups potting soil, 2 cups perlite, 1 cup sheet moss (didn't have the sphagnum yet) and 1 cup bark. The begonia bible by the Thompson's say baskets are the best planting container as it allows perfect drainage -- the perlite, moss etc., should keep it just moist enough.



Rhizomatous begonia "Bandit". In time, if the mix turns out to be friendly, she should grow to be a large leafed begonia



Rear view, it's been over potted a bit, I will take a little while for rhizomes to get going, but you  get the idea of the basket. It should provide a lot of aeration, mix should stay moist and we should have a blue ribbon winner :)