tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post699702187277436437..comments2024-03-28T17:21:58.027+05:30Comments on The Urban Gardener: Orchids - Tie them up!Sunita Mohan http://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-5422880223434719052019-07-31T12:30:26.306+05:302019-07-31T12:30:26.306+05:30Hi Sunita, Happy to see your blog! Very good infor...Hi Sunita, Happy to see your blog! Very good information! I would like to try growing Orchids on trees. Where can I get baby dends? I live in Hyderabad. Would the weather be suitable for Orchids? Monikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11599804923258843265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-74751921259121606162017-10-17T08:54:15.902+05:302017-10-17T08:54:15.902+05:30Hello Nishita, I'm glad you're looking at ...Hello Nishita, I'm glad you're looking at other ways of growing orchids, other than in a pot! You could always mount them on a rough piece or slab of wood, instead of on a tree. Cork slabs also work but may not last as long as the wood. <br />I have not tried water culture or hydroponics because most orchids need a period of drying out to bloom well. <br />Yes, you can use a pipe to mount orchids on. Avoid sphagnum moss, though, as it does have an environmental impact. Instead, wrap the pipe with locally (and abundantly) available coir string. It works just as well and lasts longer.<br /> Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-15709903533269074882017-10-10T15:58:56.930+05:302017-10-10T15:58:56.930+05:30hi sunita.im so glad i read your post.have been go...hi sunita.im so glad i read your post.have been going mad looking for some info on growing orchids in india.i live in mumbai in an apartment so dont have trees to mount them on.am trying water culture but am not very sure about it.<br />i was wondering id i could tie some moss around a water pipe and mount my dendrobiun on it.its a den phalenopsis i think.i would reallllyyy appreciate some help!!!!nishitanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-68110703700591398162016-07-01T16:51:57.523+05:302016-07-01T16:51:57.523+05:30Thank you, Melita. Definitely try growing one on y...Thank you, Melita. Definitely try growing one on your drumstick tree if that is your only option. The drumstick trunk is prone to breaking easily so you may need to relocate at some point but other than that, I think you should have no problem. <br />Dendrobiums are rainforest plants so they thrive in the rains. Just make sure that the water does not pool in the crown or near the roots.<br />Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-91388880971881012352016-06-13T18:01:11.794+05:302016-06-13T18:01:11.794+05:30Wonderful article Sunita. Thought id try tying on...Wonderful article Sunita. Thought id try tying one to a tree..but the only one I can think of in my garden is a drumstick tree. Do u think I could do that? N what about the rains? Btw im a beginner n I live in goa.pls advice. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00651109100741727115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-56294776373859743692014-04-08T13:33:21.168+05:302014-04-08T13:33:21.168+05:30Thank you, Peter, I'm so glad you enjoyed my o...Thank you, Peter, I'm so glad you enjoyed my orchid posts. There are some more on my blog if you're interested (you can find them by using the Search box in the sidebar).<br />What orchids do you grow, Peter? I have mostly Dendrobiums and some Phals, cattleyas and Vandas. <br />Do you have any problem of scorched roots / plants due to the pelletised chicken manure? I do not use undiluted manure for my orchids because of the excessive heat build-up (especially with our hot climate). They do love soaked, strained and diluted manures though. Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-12286643035413826452014-04-04T10:28:05.561+05:302014-04-04T10:28:05.561+05:30Hi Sunita,
I enjoyed reading your blog on orchids...Hi Sunita,<br /><br />I enjoyed reading your blog on orchids. I have orchids growing on palm trees (Golden Cane) that have been attached using stockings. The stockings expand as the orchid grows. I also place coconut husk in behind the plant along with pelletised chicken manure. The plants are flowering well. One thing I have learn't is that many orchids don’t like wet feet. They are very hardy plants that don’t like to be tampered with.<br /><br />Peter<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-52143996599159851892012-12-09T18:24:45.107+05:302012-12-09T18:24:45.107+05:30If you're using coconut husk then you dont nee...If you're using coconut husk then you dont need the sphagnum moss, Orchidfan. Both retain water and serve the same purpose, so use either one, not both.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-30847640973598219192012-12-09T18:15:59.596+05:302012-12-09T18:15:59.596+05:30Hi.You reckon how long does it take for the roots ...Hi.You reckon how long does it take for the roots to be independently tied to or wrapped around the trunk?I just used sphagnum moss, a fish net and coconut husks to hang my Dendrobiums around our tree...I hope I am doing the right thing.Thanks!orchidfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06740725019009580842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-71932830625678435392012-08-28T18:01:44.539+05:302012-08-28T18:01:44.539+05:30Thank you, Sweetpea. Yes, you can grow orchids in ...Thank you, Sweetpea. Yes, you can grow orchids in Mumbai. Personally I donrt buy any orchids from Mumbai but you could ask for it at some of the nurseries in the city. Or wait for the Plant Exhibitions. Every once in a while some of them may stock a few pots of orchids.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-37205739239039960682012-08-27T20:36:25.805+05:302012-08-27T20:36:25.805+05:30Sunita, you have a fantastic collection. I didn...Sunita, you have a fantastic collection. I didn't know one could grow orchids in Mumbai...WOW After reading your blogs, I've been bitten and am dying to try growing some.<br />Could you guide me on where I can buy a plant and how to maintain it?<br /><br />Thank youSweetpeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13828994036594292639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-54701289686772852682008-10-28T10:22:00.000+05:302008-10-28T10:22:00.000+05:30Thanks, Nebu. This is a surprise (a nice one, thou...Thanks, Nebu. This is a surprise (a nice one, though), finding you over here on my blog.<BR/>I didnt know your mom knew my grandfather. Actually, he passed away long before I was born so my knowledge of him is quite hazy. And then when I started reading blogs, I keep finding mention of him popping up here and there. And that always takes me by surprise because I realise how much I dont know about him!<BR/>Thanks for giving me one more piece to fit into this puzzle :DSunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-88940794155658849692008-10-27T22:18:00.000+05:302008-10-27T22:18:00.000+05:30While passing through Murali Rama Varma’s ‘Musings...While passing through Murali Rama Varma’s ‘Musings from Antique Origins’ I came to know that your blog was nominated for the 2008 Botanical Awards and eventually won the 4th place in the Asian category,Congratulations though belated. <BR/>When I led my mother through your ‘Urban Garden’ she who happens to know your G. Father, says that she is not surprised for you seem to have inherited the love for gardening from the Surgeon General.Nebuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09918391278683718111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-30784421628747640622008-10-12T10:47:00.000+05:302008-10-12T10:47:00.000+05:30Thank you, Helen! Do you grow dendrobiums too? I'd...Thank you, Helen! Do you grow dendrobiums too? I'd love to see photos of them. Will you blog about them sometime?<BR/>If they're too large, you could wait for spring (or whichever is the active growth time there - here it is in Feb-March and June-August) when they're busy putting out new roots. Divide them into more manageable clumps and then tie them onto the trees. Or logs. <BR/>If you're using logs (great idea, by the way) please treat it with some kind of ant-termite solution at the end where it goes into the ground. And using hardwood is a great idea. <BR/>I'd love to see some photos when you're done :)Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-16029094938378103642008-10-12T01:54:00.000+05:302008-10-12T01:54:00.000+05:30Hello from Barbados,what an enjoyable and refreshi...Hello from Barbados,<BR/>what an enjoyable and refreshing blog! I grow most of my orchids in pots. I have some in tree and am planning to put some more on trees. The ones in the pots are soo large that I am lost on how to get them onto the trees. I also wan them close to the house so am going to probably erect some wooden posts and put them on.islandgal246https://www.blogger.com/profile/09139072456332225087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-1154518318056226502008-10-09T13:00:00.000+05:302008-10-09T13:00:00.000+05:30Maybe you could, Garden Blogger. Grow them on a lo...Maybe you could, Garden Blogger. Grow them on a log or piece of driftwood so you can move them around easily depending on the season.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-67772160386988169442008-10-09T11:34:00.000+05:302008-10-09T11:34:00.000+05:30That's pretty cool. I wish I lived in a climate wh...That's pretty cool. I wish I lived in a climate where we could do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-73921375308425954922008-10-07T06:32:00.000+05:302008-10-07T06:32:00.000+05:30Green Thumb, you're welcome! I've seen your garden...Green Thumb, you're welcome! I've seen your garden on your India Garden blog and you've got a good collection of tropical plants, dont you? If you can keep them so healthy and happy, I'm sure you can grow orchids too. <BR/>If you have hot summers and cold winters, you could grow your orchids outdooors in summer and bring it in when the weather starts cooling down. A lot of my orchid-growing friends who live in cold places do this successfully. Or maybe if it doesnt get so cold, you can leave them outdoors in a sheltered spot away from the cold breezes.<BR/>In Bombay, our weather comes down to 6*C for a few weeks in Jan. - Feb. I leave my orchids outdoors but I put up a plastic shield on the side from which the winds blow. I sometimes get a lot of browning leaves but orchids are very forgiving plants. Within a month of warmer weather, they're up and happy again.<BR/>Or, you could try growing the cool-growing ones like Cymbidiums, etc. but somehow seeing your other plants, I think the warm-growing ones will grow better for you.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-21023968880159598492008-10-07T06:10:00.000+05:302008-10-07T06:10:00.000+05:30I can imagine your plight! Poor Kanak! You wilted,...I can imagine your plight! Poor Kanak! You wilted, didnt you? Never mind, now that you've 'accepted' the heat, dust and humidity of the plains, you can plunge right back into growing orchids again. Just a different group of orchids, though ... the warm-growing ones. They're just as spectacular and just as rewarding as the cool-growing ones.<BR/>I wish I could've seen some photos of the orchids you used to grow. Did you leave them with your mom when you moved?Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-78681134006708219132008-10-07T00:40:00.000+05:302008-10-07T00:40:00.000+05:30Thanks Sunita for giving me an insight into the wo...Thanks Sunita for giving me an insight into the wonderful world of Orchids. Orchids always fascinate me, but the extreme weather of my place is not at all conducive for them, so I can only admire them at the florist's shop. I loved the Dancing girls....very interesting indeed. <BR/>Lovely post.Green thumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02985557905470748245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-29777456496139339722008-10-06T18:38:00.000+05:302008-10-06T18:38:00.000+05:30Thanks for all the names...I used to grow orchids ...Thanks for all the names...I used to grow orchids before I was married, at Haflong. It was easy to get them from the jungles which were within walking distance. After marriage, my husband's constant transfers and then my babies...I didn't want my plants to suffer.<BR/>Moreover, when you come from the hills, the heat of the plains deters you to collect plants. It took a long time to 'accept' the humidity/life in the plains. So, it's several reasons and not just one!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09000965361716090014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-9374875859198960212008-10-04T21:06:00.000+05:302008-10-04T21:06:00.000+05:30Kanak, Bombay weather is perfect for growing all k...Kanak, Bombay weather is perfect for growing all kinds of orchids. Its hot, humid and gets plenty of sunlight. Perfect for Dendrobiums, Vandas, Mokkaras, Oncidiums, Spathaglottis, Arundina, and so many more. <BR/>Forget the Cymbidiums and other cool-growing ones.<BR/>I think Guwahati has almost the same weather pattern as Mumbai, doesnt it?<BR/>BTW, I'm really curious ...why did you stop growing orchids?Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-72806783279942090492008-10-04T16:56:00.000+05:302008-10-04T16:56:00.000+05:30Gorgeous! And thanks for including this photo, Sun...Gorgeous! And thanks for including this photo, Sunita. I used to grow orchids years ago but seeing yours and Trudi's collection has been so tempting! I might soon be adding them to my to-do list. <BR/>Honestly, I didn't think Bombay's weather was suitable for growing orchids. Now I know better. Thanks once again.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09000965361716090014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-24682880332872163062008-10-04T16:15:00.000+05:302008-10-04T16:15:00.000+05:30Marta, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you.You w...Marta, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you.<BR/><BR/>You wont believe this but when I started growing orchids about 20 years ago, there was absolutely zero information available on their culture, etc. I had to depend on gardening magazines from Britain and USA which carried small articles on growing orchids every once in a while. As a result, I started off thinking that I needed a greenhouse to grow orchids. In India of all places! The whole countryside is a natural greenhouse!<BR/><BR/>There were a lot of bloopers brought about by my information being geared to those living in temperate countries while I was living in a hot, humid, thoroughly tropical land. Well, we all live and learn, huh?<BR/><BR/>What orchids do you grow? They're welcome here anytime. My trees still have a lot of bare trunk available ; DSunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-33426102856951980252008-10-04T15:23:00.000+05:302008-10-04T15:23:00.000+05:30Thank you, Sunita. Your blog is an orchid's dream...Thank you, Sunita. Your blog is an orchid's dream. All of the little specimens in my care must come inside this week as the temperatures are dropping. I must be sure that they don't read your blog, or they'll be lobbying for the next plane to India. Reading your post was a lovely way to start my morning.Marta McDowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08548427078018827484noreply@blogger.com