ment. First and foremost, moss retains moisture longer so water-
ing is less frequent. Let the moss dry between waterings. Taking
time to examine your plant as to its water needs is more important
than watering it every week. Less fertilizer
is needed because the plant is able to absorb
the nutrients more readily in its compacted
moss. The plant can also receive additional
light because it has more readily available
moisture and nutrients. Learning to grow
in moss can be a challenge and frankly, is
not for everyone. If you like to water and do
so often, then sphagnum moss may not be
the best choice. Professional orchid grow-
ers use it because it gives quick uniform
growth and strong resilient plants. They
carefully manage their watering and fertil-
izing schedules.
Insect control (pest management) was
also discussed. Inexpensive and effective
materials include rubbing alcohol and hor-
ticultural oil for scale, mealy bugs, mites
and other insects for the windowsill grow-
er. Applications of these must be done often since they are not
residual. For greenhouse growers the use of the product of Merit
was discussed. Several of the Bayer products contain this systemic
pesticide, and they have proven effective in
insect control.
The importance of light was discussed at
length. Mark Srull talked about how over the
years he has increased the amount of light by
removing layers of shade cloth and adding
grow lights along with lowering the daytime
temperatures in the greenhouse. The results
have been an increase in spike initiation in-
cluding double spikes and more buds formed
per spike. Warmer temperatures will increase
the spike height, but reduce the bud count es-
pecially with temperatures above 80°F.
After sitting for most of the day, everyone
was ready for a greenhouse walkabout to
check out the plants blooming and those
for sale. We all look forward to our next IPA
meeting next year. Stay tuned for that an-
nouncement.
Andy Wright, auctioneer in action.
Joan at registration.
View of Orchidaceae’s greenhouse.
12
Tom Harper giving a species presentation.
Fourth Quarter, Vol. 21(2) 2011 - Phalaenopsis