Hi there...am brand new to orchids, and would like to make it a hobby. Am wondering though what type of orchid is a "Le Mary Elizabeth Bohn "Royal Flare". I purchased it at a market in Cairns, the flowers had a blue-ish tinge, but they are long gone now. I'd appreciate any advice on this one, thanks.
Jojo
EDIT: Link to the photo of the plant http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3574 and closeups http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3575
http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3578
http://www.sdahldtp.com/royal
http://www.sdahldtp.com/royalflare.htm try this link
The correct name is Gsl.
The correct name is Gsl. Mary Elizabeth Bohn 'Royal Flare' I think,,,,,is that correct Bill
Jojo
Hello Jojo, welcome to orchids.
Your orchid is part of the Cattleya Group of plants and are quite tolerant of new growers. Advice, for starters do you live up in North Queensland or did you buy it at the markets in Cairns and take it south. (water requirements vary with location)
We can fix your label up so it reads correctly, this is what your label should read--- Gsl. Mary Elizabeth Bohn 'Royal Flare' (the Gsl. is the genus and stands for Guarisophleya)
Have you got any specific questions??????
Regards Bill
Yes I do live in Cairns.
Yes I do live in Cairns. I've been reading an 'orchid' book and recognise that it needs repotting (very overdue really). I bought spag moss yesterday...but this orchid is potted in quinken (spelling?). I guess i place the spag moss around the sides of the bigger pot filling in the extra space? Thank you for your help, for it's just me and a book blindly making a go of it.
Take it easy
Jojo, don't panic we can help you, Cattleyas are a good plant to start with.
Don't try anything yet with spag, have you got a digital camera so you can post a photo of your plant as it is now???
Bill
spag less than ideal
I agree with Bill re not going too far with spag yet.
A lot of growers in the tropics can attest to it being less than ideal as a potting media.
I think (from a look at your photo of the plant http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3574 ) that the plant may well be in need of repotting into fresh media. The salt buildup around the drainage holes says that to me. I personally would not put this plant into spag at all but would advise you repot into a new pot with a good quality course grade orchid bark (Debco does it for me) or some people are getting excellent results from the coconut fibre chunks specially treated to make them suitable for orchid mix.
It looks to me that the forward lead has gone brown and mushy??? If yes this should be removed as close to the unaffected rhizome as possible prior to repotting.....If no and it is only the husky coating on the outside of the new psuedobulb I can see then that is fine. This will set the plant back if you have to cut the new lead off but fresh mix and some TLC should see it right....if not just buy another plant and try again.
Hope that helps and just say if you need more help.
PS: Others may like to comment further as well.
Regards wellsy
One more question Jojo
Thanks for the photos, it really does help to see what is going on with your plant.
Before we get carried away with re-potting your plant I think we should try and sort out what went wrong so it doesn't happen again.
I suspect you bought the plant about 3 to 4 years ago and it has lost it's vigour over that period of time due to lack of adequate sunlight and feeding.
My question is, does your plant get filtered morning sunlight or only afternoon sun??
There is nothing wrong with what it is potted in, quincan seems to be the choice potting media for North Queensland.
Bill
Hi Bill...i puchased it this
Hi Bill...i puchased it this year. It receives filtered morning sunlight.
Oh dear me!!!!
I'm shocked Jo, it has the classic look of lack of sunlight but at least we know it didn't happen in your care so we can proceed with re-potting.
What you need is some replacement quincan, you might be able to get it from Cairns Orchid Centre at Clifton Beach, the crew there are very good.
Next we need to hear from Buckie, he lives in Townsville and uses quincan, I'm from Ipswich and down here I use bark and foam.Buckie, do you mix foam with the quincan or just straight quincan????
Could you send me a couple more photos of the front end of your plant, around where Wellsy was talking about earlier???
Send direct to mcorchid@westnet.com.au
I can post them on the Website if needed. (edit,extra photo added)
Bill
Hi Bill...i've got some
Hi Bill...i've got some quincan now....do i repot very gently into the bigger pot? Is there any need for orchid fertiliser? I've got some, but read somewhere that if you do use it, use it in a very weak form if at all.
Jo
Jojo
Sounds like you are ready to re-pot.
Soak the pot in water for a few minutes.
Remove any restraining tie wires from the plant that hold it to the pot.
Squeeze all around the outside centre of the pot to loosen everything inside, the plant should then easily come out.
Now you have the plant out, remove all old media from the plant roots.
Test/check the plant roots while they are wet, squeeze them between your fingers, no resistance or soggy, cut them off up under the rhizome (that's the long thing that all the upright bulbs come from).
Now you should be left with a nice clean rhizome, bulbs and live roots.
You do not need a larger pot, same pot or a new one will do for now.
Stakes to hold your plant,half fill your pot with new quincan, hold the plant above he pot, position the rear up against one side of the pot, push in about three stakes to correspond with upright bulbs along the rhizome. Put more quincan in up to about 3/4 of the height of your pot keeping the stakes upright at the same time.
Tricky part, position your plant where you had it before to line up with the stakes,two ways to go here, you can tie the bulbs to the stakes now or you can hold the plant in position and add more quincan up to about 10mm below the lip of the pot and now tie the plant to the stakes.
Things to keep in mind----
Your rhizome must run along the surface or slightly in the quincan, not under it.
After doing the above your plant should be quite stable in the pot, if it's loose and floppy that will damage the new roots.
The front new bulb which is growing at an angle, put a piece of tie wire around it and gently pull it back over a period of time to train it to grow upright. Do not tie stakes to the leading edge (front bulb)
When tying, do not over tighten, firm is good.
Do not water yet, let the plant settle into it's new pot for about 3 or 4 days then give it a drink of water, five days after that I would give it a feed of fish fertilizer (not chemical fertilizer)
Can't think of anything else at the moment, if you get stuck you can Email me no problem.
Regards Bill
Well done Jojo!!!
Jojo has completed her first orchid re-pot.
Looks pretty good, the photos are here.
http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3608
http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3609
http://orchidsonline.com.au/node/3610