Ebb and Flow System for Phrags

This past spring, I had the good fortune to be invited to an appreciation dinner hosted by the Toronto Artistic Orchid Association in Toronto.  A tremendous group of very enthusiastic orchid growers from the Chinese community in that city.  I was seated beside Jason Fischer who had been invited as a special guest while on a speaking engagement with the Southern Ontario Orchid Society (Toronto).  During our dinner, we talked about Phrag. kovachii, its hybrids and general culture of Phragmipediums.  One of the things Jason mentioned was that he found many Phrags respond very favourably to ebb and flow watering systems.  So, upon my return home, I looked into how to set up a system of this type.  I found myself visiting a local hydroponics retailer who was very helpful in getting together the necessary pieces and parts.

I have had my system in place for a few months now and the Phrags have certainly responded well to it.  I need to change the water every couple weeks and I am cautious not to over-fertilize in the process.  I run the system 2x a day for about a half-hour each session.  I may try adding another cycle in the spring when the temperatures start to climb.

Winter is Half Over

Early February already and so far, in SW Ontario, we really have not experienced winter yet.  Fine by me.  My greenhouse began construction in June of 2010 and in March of 2011, the contractor I had hired was trying to belabour the project to draw a fatter pay cheque.  My refusal to give him money for nothing led to his abrupt disappearance, literally, and to the task of finding a suitable and capable replacement.  I managed to do so but it was 8 months later.  In the end, things all work out for the best.  This guy is very reliable and trustworthy and a perfectionist at heart.  As a result, things are still in progress and I've had to house my orchid collection in an incomplete greenhouse.  These projects are so much more involved than I ever considered and WAY more expensive.  It will be spring before I can continue - I have to complete the floor, the drainage, the plumbing and the watering system.  Now that I've had a few months of cooler weather I now know I also need to put in a natural gas heater - electricity is far too expensive and we haven't even experienced extreme cold.  I found the perfect heater but it isn't CSA approved and so no one will install it.  The alternative is 4x the cost.

Because of the cost, I have kept the temperature on the low intermediate to cool side.  Not the best of conditions for my Cattleyas and Phals but the Paphs, Madevallias and Pleurothallids are taking it all in.  I have to find a way to cool down the greenhouse efficiently in the summer so that these little gems continue to flourish.  For anyone considering looking for a fogger for their greenhouse, I highly recommend Hydro Fogger (http://hydrofogger.com/home) with a humidistat.  The unit I bought is the small one, more than adequate for my 15 x 20 growing area.  I had the contractor hook it up temporarily, just to ensure the humidity levels are maintained in my absence.  I had been away and the level dropped to 50%.  When I hooked up this unit, it climbed to 85% in less than 15min and it was foggy in there.  I suspect this will serve to cool things in the summer also.

Well, I'll leave you with a few pictures of my Paphs and hope to update again soon.  I hope some of you will choose to follow my Blog - it will encourage me to do this more often.  Thanks Justin.



Fuzzy pest on the greenhouse floor - Looks like a giant Mealy Bug