PLANTS & FLOWERS I HAVE GROWN IN FLORIDA, 2023, PART 7

I first did some research on YouTube,
altho I must warn anyone who researches ANYthing on YT
that you can quickly become overwhelmed
by all the information available;
much of it contradictory,
not all of it correct, as we know.
After a little bit of scrolling, I determined that this site
gave me the information I need to resuscitate the orchids.
(TURN OFF the narration and just read the closed captions)
One VERY important reealization is that I will have to UNLEARN
everything I know about growing plants and flowers.
Growing orchids is doing the OPPOSITE of what I've done for years:
* Other plants need their roots covered with soil and no air pockets;
orchids, being for the most part epiphytic, need to have air circulating
around their roots and have 'aerial roots' growing above the soil
* Actually, soil is not used; bark is what Linda recommends,
so that's what I'm using, with a bit of perlite added
* I've always made my own potting mixture,
adjusting the amount of each ingredient to suit the plant[s].
I use potting soil (WITHOUT FERTILIZER BEADS,
if you can find that any more),
peat moss, sand & sterlized cow manure.
NONE of these should be used for orchids
* Because they prefer shade rather than direct sun,
and in nature their roots are exposed, orchids can be planted
in clear plastic pots so you can check the roots for their moisture needs
So I gathered (or ordered) the items I'd need,
as advised in the video I mentioned above:

* TURMERIC POWDER,
a natural antibacterial &
anti- fungal agent,
in which to soak the roots . . .
PLANTS

* A NEW PAIR OF SCISSORS, to be used ONLY for the orchids
* RUBBING ALCOHOL, to sterilize the scissors after every cut,
avoiding the spread of bacteria and/or
fungus spores from one plant to another
* COTTON BALLS; see above
* CLEAR PLASTIC GLASSES, from The $1.25 Tree
* CLEAR PLASTIC POT LINERS
PLANTS

* DISTILLED or BOTTLED WATER, because our tap water
is softened, which means it contains salt
(and no, we - including the dogs - don't drink from the tap;
filtered water comes to us via the refrigerator)
* ORCHID POTTING MIX WITH PERLITE . . .
PLANTS

* MOISTURE MEASURE,
not only for the orchids,
but also for the Christmas cacti
and the potted plants around
the perimeter of the house
and in the courtyard . . .
It's a good thing
I used this on the Christmas
cacti; I found two of them in
the WET range. I immediately
repotted them into the Orchid
mix I'd already bought
so their roots can dry out.
I hope.
PLANTS

* POTS, when I'm certain how many orchids will survive

Card
* PLANT STAND,
which I'd ordered for the
Christmas cacti, haven't yet
put together, and will work
much better for the orchids

* PATIENCE, of which - with dogs & plants - I have plenty

ORCHID ORCHID ORCHID ORCHID ORCHID

PLANTS & FLOWERS I HAVE GROWN IN FLORIDA, 2023, PART 8 HERE

I first did some research on YouTube, altho I must warn anyone who researches ANYthing on YT that you can quickly become overwhelmed by all the information available; much of it contradictory, not all of it correct, as we know. After a little bit of scrolling, I determined that this site gave me the information I need to resuscitate the orchids. (TURN OFF the narration and just read the closed captions) One VERY important reealization is that I will have to UNLEARN everything I know about growing plants and flowers. Growing orchids is doing the OPPOSITE of what I've done for years: * Other plants need their roots covered with soil and no air pockets; orchids, being for the most part epiphytic, need to have air circulating around their roots and have 'aerial roots' growing above the soil * Actually, soil is not used; bark is what Linda recommends, so that's what I'm using, with a bit of perlite added * I've always made my own potting mixture, adjusting the amount of each ingredient to suit the plant[s]. I use potting soil (WITHOUT FERTILIZER BEADS, if you can find that any more), peat moss, sand & sterlized cow manure. NONE of these should be used for orchids * Because they prefer shade rather than direct sun, and in nature their roots are exposed, orchids can be planted in clear plastic pots so you can check the roots for their moisture needs So I gathered (or ordered) the items I'd need, as advised in the video I mentioned above:
* TURMERIC POWDER, a natural antibacterial & anti- fungal agent, in which to soak the roots . . .
* A NEW PAIR OF SCISSORS, to be used ONLY for the orchids * RUBBING ALCOHOL, to sterilize the scissors after every cut, avoiding the spread of bacteria and/or fungus spores from one plant to another * COTTON BALLS; see above * CLEAR PLASTIC GLASSES, from The $1.25 Tree * CLEAR PLASTIC POT LINERS * DISTILLED or BOTTLED WATER, because our tap water is softened, which means it contains salt (and no, we - including the dogs - don't drink from the tap; filtered water comes to us via the refrigerator) * ORCHID POTTING MIX WITH PERLITE . . .
* MOISTURE MEASURE, not only for the orchids, but also for the Christmas cacti and the potted plants around the perimeter of the house and in the courtyard . . . It's a good thing I used this on the Christmas cacti; I found two of them in the WET range. I immediately repotted them into the Orchid mix I'd already bought so their roots can dry out. I hope.
* POTS, when I'm certain how many orchids will survive
	* PLANT STAND, which I'd ordered for the Christmas cacti, haven't yet put together, and will work much better for the orchids
* PATIENCE, of which - with dogs & plants - I have plenty