Orchid Karma :: An orchid blog » semi-hydro

Phragmipedium Grande

Karma — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:34:00 +0000

I usually do not buy plants this big due to the limitations of my growing space, but I did not realize just how large it would get when I bought it – even though the name should have tipped me off… but it’s OK really, it is such an impressive hybrid and I just [...]

Phragmipedium besseae

Karma — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:29:50 +0000

I have been looking forward to this one all summer, it is such a strikingly beautiful flower and the first time it blooms for me. I bought it last fall and I think I actually stalled it a little bit by repotting it, but now it is fianlly blooming and it is also coming [...]

Prosthechea cochleata… or the clamshell octopus

Karma — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:57:33 +0000

Clamshell octopus, that sounds like something our of a B-horror flick… but the common name for this species is the cockleshell or clamshell orchid, although we tend to call it the octopus orchid (bläckfiskorkidé) here in Sweden. It is not hard to see why, either name fits the bill. The flowers are about 9 [...]

A Grande achievement!

Karma — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:39:42 +0000

This has got to be one of my proudest moments as an orchid grower… so far. My Phragmipedium Grande has finally decided to bloom!! I have waited two years for this glorious occasion and I plan to take full credit. Damn I am good! (and modest) Ehm, well… truth be told a few weeks ago I thought I [...]

The Masdevallia experiment: day 160

Karma — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:53:18 +0000

Back in April (5 months ago) I decided to start a little experiment with Masdevallia and different growing mediums. Until then I had only cultivated my Masdevallia i sphagnum moss, but I wanted to try goring them in semi-hydro volcanic rock. I had two near identical M. tovarensis orchids so they were a logical choice for [...]

Masdevallia guttulata – much more graceful than the name implies…

Karma — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:55:52 +0000

This little gem is blooming now for the first time - for me. I wonder how it got its name, because it sounds as if it should be some hardcore, heavyweight flower, when instead it is quite delicate. The white cone created by the fused sepals is almost sheer and the deep purple spots inside shines through [...]

Clamshell chocolate anyone?

Karma — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:03:10 +0000

Ah, drum roll please! It is time for this years’ Prostechea cochleata flowering. The first bud just opened and there is one more not far behind, plus another set on deck. This particular orchid usually has a few flowers open at once, and when one set is done a new set is ready to open, which makes for very long flowering periods. Last year, [...]

The Masdevallia experiment: day 1

Karma — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:19:37 +0000

I have decided to start a little experiment testing potting media with Masdevallias. I happen to have two lovely Masdevallia tovarensis orchids that need to be repotted, so they have been volunteered for the project.

I plan to place one back in sphagnum moss, like they both have been cultivated for the past year and a [...]

I delivered this bouncing baby keiki today…

Karma — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:07:12 +0000

Mother and child (and grandma) are doing fine. (keiki >>)

Orchids in semi-hydro status report

Karma — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 09:46:14 +0000

I have been dying to try cultivation in semi-hydro for years, and a couple of months ago I finally went for it. I chose a few test subjects and so far the result has been overwhealmingly positive! Here is a status report:

Paphiopedilum american hybrid in semi hydro 3 weeks… the roots have [...]