It wasn't just Rick's joy and knowledge that were helpful to me in getting into the hobby of orchids in lava rock, it was his amazing example of strength, character and grace in the face of Parkinson's that made such a difference. I'm grateful to have found his videos and thank him to this day for the wonderful example of how to be a noble person.
Thanks to Rick, i started growing my Orchids in pebbles and a few chunks of bark last year ,2022. I love it. My Orchids are growing better, blooming. No rot root. I haven't lost an orchid to root rot since.
I miss you Rick! God bless you and your wife and I hope you're able to come back from that horrible awful trip your disease has taken you. That was the way you described it and one of your videos we all miss you
Hi Rick! Great video and wonderful information! I'm so glad you brought up the topic of watering thoroughly. When I water, I totally saturate the media...small drinks of water will indeed dehydrate the plant! Thanks again for all you do and blessings from the TN orchid clan! Amy
Thank you, Rick. You provided a lot of helpful information for me. I too am new to orchids. Mine are in bark----only one phalaenopsis and two dendrobium phals---all in an orchid bark mix (bark, perlite and charcoal). I too feed every time I water---every two to three days because that's what they need to thrive. Flushing with water and full saturation, then with feed and full saturation..., drain, etc.
Another very informative video Rick. I feed mine on a mixture of things about twice per week but I flush a lot more than I feed, At this time of year I up my tds to around 250 with calcium and magnesium being the main contributors . When winter arrives I lower the phosphates and increase the nitrogen. Thanks for the video Rick...always enjoyable my friend. Keep well.. Ed.
Hi Rick , Discovered Your channel/video's Just a little while ago!! Really , really, REALLY liking and enjoying ALL of It !!! Can't be Thanking YOU ENOUGH! Very gratefull and sincerely meant HUGS &STRENGH From the Netherlands 🔅👍🍀♥️😁❗
Frequency and consistency with feeding is such a good point to make. Small amounts given often has always given me better results than occasional heavy feedings. Always so well spoken and informative! Love all of your videos!
Rick, bless your heart. UP for 36 hours making hay while the sun shines… You have such drive and dedication for your plants. I watch your videos in the evening after my days work is done and you make me want to go out with the plants and work more. I have about 230 plants give or take 20. All my Vanda's are soaked in a vat daily, but finding enough other things to set pots in to soak, is a challenge but I'm working on it. Soaking them makes the difference. Your plants look AWESOME.
thank you Susan.....its such a big commitment to undertake this hobby and really do it right......as they get bigger and stronger, I wont have to care for them as much.....they will pick up the slack a bit....I hope......
Thank you sweetheart great video as always! None of my orchids have burnt leaves or yellow tips or yellow spots. I see people that are all excited because they're Orchid is having flowers and then there orchids look like crap😞 or they have Sloppy leaves and they say oh it's okay they're going to fall off anyway my philodendrons have six or 8 or five leaves they don't flop in fall. That's cuz I had a master teacher! You you you😉👉👵👈
Started using cal/mag 3 weeks ago...results as of today....several vandas have sent up spikes....more then ten and roots have started branching! Others have started many healthier roots and growths! Definitely a visible improvement bare rooted or whatever they are planted in. Also using the horticultural lime in pots...due to rain I've added another dose in pots....not as visible yet as calmag treatment but still early in the use. Thanks for your continued efforts!
........this is the feedback i love to hear......David this will make a huge difference down the road a month or two........stronger plants, better cell structure, so they wont dehydrate as easy, better cold resistance, heat resistance, etc etc........thank you for the kind words my friend.....
Hi Rick! I enjoyed watching all your videos! Since I last watched your video on lava rocks media, I have used lava rocks for a lot of my orchids , like 95% of the potting media. Its the best thing ever, my orchids love it, and they do so well. Lava rocks saved me money, and its stable the plants much better than mixed barks! Great idea , Rick! Also, I potted my dendrobium plants but I wasn't sure , but I saw in this video , you used lava rocks for dendrobium too and its growing pretty well, then my dendrobium will do well too. thank you, Rick.
😀 wow. that 's a lot of orchids to care for, & your orchids are very healthy ! I have about 33 orchids , and that 's a lot for me to handle. I had killed about 4 orchids while I learned how to care for them. I like your method of caring for orchids; its works for me. Have a wonderful day !
@@rickl.orchids I have a lot of glass planters with two drilled holes that I've been using with LECA and am interested in converting to your rock medium. Currently I flush/plug/soak and leave nutrient solution in the reservoir. Could this be done with your rock medium? How do heavy feeders/drinkers such as certain oncidiums and Paphs thrive in rock? I thought they prefer wetter environments?
Rene Sonse if you follow Rick he mentioned that he sarurate plants root and sock them from about 30mins ! so if your plant loke phaps or phelo they are in rock can be hydrated well !! No issue
Hey, Rick, I used the dolomite lime last month and it has really made a big difference. The things I noticed the most was that the colors of the green leaves are so much more vibrant. Also lots of new growths and also a couple of new spikes! Yay! Anyway, love all your advice and I really feel that all the years I spent trying to grow orchids and not giving up paid off. I am enjoying them and they are so so happy! Thanks a million! Blessings to you! Rita
Great video!! Glad to see you moving around. Would love to see a video update of your African Violets. They are so amazing, one of my favorite flowers. Your violets are so beautiful that they make me drool with envy. Thanks Faye
Thanks so much for such useful information. You are a good observer and use what you see to understand your plants needs. The great thing is you then share your understanding with us. Great to see you are up and around.
This is really good information, and I didn't know that smaller amounts dehydrate my plants !!! I've recently been learning from some of the best orchid growers and he feeds his plants CONSTANTLY, the smaller amounts daily actually. Fully drenches them and I've learnt better for it. I also use a plant hormone that's available here that has amino purine bases as sources for cytokine hormones and I've been seeing a difference already in just about three months. I have become OBSESSED with being a good orchid parent and feeding constantly and the RIGHT nutrients. There's a hydroponic specialist here that supplies seaweed fertilisers and I can't wait to get my hands on some. I use less than quarter strength sometimes, but almost every 4 or 5 days. This, to me, gives the plant health and robustness to fight against infection and fungi that so many other people have issues with and I've had way less incidents with this. Question: I've heard you speak about the TIMING that you foliar feed - the cattleyas being water conservators, open their stomata at night and in the evening is the best time to feed? I'd REALLY like you to talk more about the appropriate times to feed orchids, and perhaps different times for different genuses.
..........wonderful Walter........my plants are going on over 14 months since I sprayed them for pests, and they have been outside for 2 months now.......and no sign of any critters....they are much thicker and stronger........I feed most of mine during the late evening hours or early morning hours.......if I'm spraying a foliar feed.....I wait till dark...and spray........from what Ive gathered.......thicker leaf varieties like Phals, dens, catts, etc.......open their stomata during the cooler night hours to prevent water loss during the hot day time.......most of the leafy varieties......oncidiums, some brassia's, etc.........are more open during the day time hours.....foliar feeds are 5-12x more absorbable than root feedings.......
Hi Rick. I’m always excited when I open subscriptions and see you’ve posted a new video. Since discovering your channel I am gradually changing all my 150 orchids to lava rock. I find the switch from moss to rock works much better than going from moss to bark. Sadly most phals come in moss when purchased, which is a disaster in SW Fl. The humidity is so high that the moss never dries out. Root rot is the end result. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am a believer and I pray for you to receive the miracle you need. Keep the faith Rick🙏
........thank you Deborah......very kind...........remember......calcium deficiency causes new growths to die back.........new shoots, canes, bulbs, leaves, etc.........in Phals...where does the new growth come from??.......they grow from their crowns.....So when they get low in calcium......they loose roots first.......in moss, it breaks down very fast.......once the ph drops in the decayed moss, they cant absorb calcium .......and you get bad roots in store bought phals.......
Hi Rick , It's great hearing and watching your video's again. I told my wife a few days ago I was worried about you. I tested my well water a while back and it's 28 ppm so I've been flushing like crazy and giving them dolomitic lime, fertilizer and cal mag. My Phals are growing their second leafs of the season and are pushing themselves out of the pots with new roots. I owe it all to you and your viewers. Thanks and be well.
I never use store bought fertilizer. I use old aquarium water that is being changed. Any leftover nutrient breaks down quickly instead of leaving a chemical concentrate on the media. Happy fish, Happy orchids, Happy day.
You are so right the fish love .... most people don't realize that their aquarium starts to fail... Fish don't grow and they die.... because the nitrates build up and poison the fish...10 % or more should be replaced every week....
Thank you, for another great video. Nature is flushing my orchids on a daily basis. YAY! I've started getting new spikes and buds. My Phal got transplanted and is doing great. I'm now working on Vanda keikis I purchased from an orchid show. Thanks again Rick. It's always nice watching your videos. HUGS!!
The information you have given us on fertilization and types of fertilizers you are using has saved my orchids from my inexperience. I grow in bark and don't feed as often as you do. But, oh my, the difference cal/mag has made in root and plant growth. I use cal/mag on my house plants and succulents now (just small amounts). They love it. I am now searching for kelp/ seaweed to add to my regime to (hopefully) get some nice blooms. I now have 28 orchids; they are all doing well. Thank you, Rick. I hope you are feeling well.
thank you Margo.......in bark they just grow a bit slower.....that's all.....keep up the great feeding you described.....they will reward you down the road........
I always look forward for your videos Rick. Whenever I feel kinda sad about what’s going on with my orchids, you always release video that helps me fix my problem with them. Thank you so much for your efforts of explaining everything. Growing orchids in Texas ain’t easy, lol.
Your plants look terrific!!! Thanks for all the information. I soak my orchids every 5 days with water and Cal-Mag. Then I let them drain and then I feed them. They seem to be loving it!!! I want to thank YOU!!!
Such a helpful video. Thank you. I love seeing that orchid who lives on the brick take off growing. So interesting and beautiful. Also gorgeous blooms. Hope you're having a peaceful weekend!🌱
Excellent, very useful information (especially for those of us new to the hobby!). You are an inspiration to those of us who are trying to continue being active, functioning despite ongoing health difficulties (I have lupus). Thank you!!
Thank you Rick for all the Nutritional info. Much appreciated! I'm learning so much. I remember the Avon Lady. There's a few around here...thanks again.
Hi Rick everytime I see you in my notification I feel good because I know you are coming with something we all want to hear am telling you my dendrobium they are baby's but am doing what you say am having new root and sicker are coming out thank Rick for your information
I don't think there is any way you can make those plants do any better...they have grown so fast and are so healthy..I think you got it covered. Flowers are beautiful!!💞💞💞❤🐩 I DON'T THINK ITS THE COFFEE😊ITS YOUR JOY OF SHARING💞🐦Tks
Enjoyed the orchids and always need the info. It’s so hot down SE Fl. Rain comes but will sprinkle, or miss my area. Water barrels low. Need a down pour😃.
Great information and love seeing your blooms. Love that red one you showed and the orchid growing on the brick amazes me! Blessing friend! Your neighbor in Georgia!
Hi, from northern New South Wales Australia. What a lovely collection. Thanks for your great tips. Could you explain more about what dolomite lime is, what it is for and how much is used please.
......great question Sylvia.......dolomitic lime is a common form of lime used for gardens, lawns, agriculture, etc......it is safe to use and wont burn plants like other lime. ....Its usually in a granular form. Its a great source of calcium and magnesium.......just use a few pinches abd sprinkle it around your orchid pots....over the media. ...As you water... it will break down and filter into the pots....it works on bark, moss, lava rock, etc........even your mounts. Orchids in the wild would have a supply of calcium around them all the time...
Hi Rick, glad you are having a good day! And thank you, thank you for this information. As we are in drought conditions, I have been watering but will be more diligent with a plan as you suggest.
Hi Rick! Thank you for all your great information. .. everything looks so beautiful. ..good to see you keep doing what you love! please do a video of the beautiful AV....if you can. take care of your self 😊🙏👍
Ashley......I think of you often, thank you for all the kind words.......the flapjack and the hoyas are doing so well.....I still want to send you a little something.........Im waiting for cooler weather....
Rick L. Orchids Rick you are in my prayers constantly my friend, this world needs more people like you to inspire others. I want you to feel great and continue making videos for us 😊 don't worry I just want to see tiger ".... if you can, The Flap jack keep it in full sun and will turn in 2 colors beautiful dark red! have a great blessed day!👍💓
I have also switched my orchids to lava rock and glas jars as pots I also drilled holes in the glass jars do so I get air circulation which they do better i only spray them with rain water when I see the rocks ate very dry, i am not really set up yet my green house is not finished and my wife really wants me to keep the pots outside because water is damaging her cabinets I've had to put a cloth the length of the cabinet under all the pots to protect her nice furniture so far all the flowers are dropped of. My plan was to build the green house first then start buying orchids that didn't work out soon as I came across orchids I had to by them so now I have about 10 pholanopsis orchids. Your advise is much appreciated. Cheers from Melbourne Australia.
Hi Mario, I know your comment is from 2 years ago - but you mentioned using glass jars. How are those working out? I've been using lava rock in a two part plastic container system. It's been sufficient but searching out other options.
Hi Rick, I learned a lot from you, specially to understand better the orchids, actually the nature itself. But now I'm somehow confused: one of the most interesting concept I got from you about 6-8 months ago, is that plants usually grow when they are dry, actually when they are dusty and have to "look" for the water. You thought me that the balance between dryness and wetness is the big secret in growing routs. Indeed, why should they grow if they have everything ready in front of them? Today I missed totally the concept of this balance, actually you give them more then ever. Again, thank you for all the ideas you are sharing.
.......some orchids really need a wet dry cycle.......some dont......during heavy growth and high temps, I can water more often..........temperature and airflow are what regulate my watering.......
Hi Rick! That's amazing that your orchids are growing so fast that you can see the difference in the growth rate, depending on when and how often they get fed! I think you made a strong case for feeding low doses of nutrients frequently rather than one large dosage every week or every other week. I look at your orchids and I can't believe that they were 'bag babies' at one time! Just amazing! :)
.........thank you dear friend......its been a great grow season so far.....and we are only 1/2 way thru it.....lots of growth yet to finish......mimic mother nature......she has had lots of time to figure this stuff out .......
I foresee lots of gorgeous blooms for your orchids in the near future...you will have start doing a 'what's in bloom' video every month like many of the growers do! :) Speaking of blooms...we've had strange weather here in E. Tn. lately - July has been cooler than June, believe it or not! The mornings have been unusually cool (60 degrees) the past week or so...if this trend continues, my outside phals may start developing spikes! Wouldn't that be awesome! LOL!
Lol! Your making sure they always have snacks around ., I'd love to never miss an opportunity to get a snack 😁 I'd be buying new bigger clothes each month too!
I quit watering mine, we don't get showers here its either a 2 hour total downpour or nothing. So I've just been feeding and let nature flush and feed, went through 2 gallons this morning. Mine are growing like crazy also, the new vandas, Wow! The root growth is amazing on them.
Hi Rick! Melissa here and I happily found your channel just yesterday. Thank you @Orchid Whisperer ! And thank you, Rick, for being a wonderful resource for those of us that grow outdoors in the Southeast US. You have quite a few feeding and supplement videos that I binge-watched too late last night, and I'm now having a hard time recalling specifics. So, a few questions if you don't mind. :) The feeding recipe you give in this video, for a total of 180-200ppm, with 120-130ppm being Better Grow, 50ppm being CalMag, and 15-25ppm being a Kelp supplement... Is this what you feed all summer? Also, how often do you flush? I know that rain helps with flushing in your setup, but my orchids are on a covered porch and do not receive rain. In my setup, the orchids are very thirsty and require watering almost daily, but I am concerned about over or under feeding, as well as salt build up. Lastly, I have a couple of options as far as source water goes here at home. I can use RO with a starting TDS of 20, or RODI with a TDS of 0. I'd imagine using RODI would be best, but would prefer to use RO. So, if my starting TDS is 20, do I include that in the total of 180-200ppm, or should I use 180-200ppm on top, bringing my total to 200-220ppm. I apologize. I am totally new to this way of growing and sometimes get a bit confused with the wealth of information available to us. I am so grateful to have found you! I honestly thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness you bestow on your viewers. It is so great of you to share your knowledge and invite us to ask questions. Wishing you good health and happy growing!
Melissa, great questions......and thank you for the kind words......Amy is a wealth of info, and such a great teacher.....the 20 ppm is not a big issue.......you should be fine....yes I feed that mix during the summer........as days get cooler and shorter.....I will drop the amounts and feed less often....as for flushing.....I flush after every feed......
Thank you! It'll be a while yet before things start to cool down for me, and with the orchids so thirsty, I've been so worried about overdoing it. Now that I've heard you AND Amy advise to simply alternate feedings and flushings, that's exactly what I'll do. Thanks again to you both for sharing your experiences in such a kind and thoughtful way.
Thanks, got terra cotta pot w/ your supports from wire.it should be fine, the 2 Blc's in rock now taking off, and 1 of 3 dedrobiums also. I'll wait h2o thanks.
Hello Rick, not a yellow leaf in sight, beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I wonder if I can get lava rock in UK. Sending you and the family lots of love Ju xxx
.....thank you Julie.......any rock will do.......hard non porous stone is fine.....go find a creek or stream, a lake......and gather some pebbles.....thank try it on one or two...see how they do.....its all in the watering.....
Hi Rick, do you monitor the temperature of the water you feed with?? Did it have to be more precise than just 'tepid' and do you believe it affects nutrient absorption (even indirectly via pH etc). If so, can you do a video please on temperature and feeding please?! 🙏. I'm sure your time is very full with everything going on but I sure get a lot out of your videos and it inspires me to not settle with just ok, but to maximise conditions for my plants
...." to not settle with just OK, but to maximize conditions for my plants".......I love how you said that.......its important to not shock the plants with water that's too cool or too hot....10* with in ambient temperature is best.....yes I do check it, if needed.......I keep a rain barrel in my shop and I keep it full........it stays around 72*.....
Rick! I took the plunge and put my orchids into lava rock! I did mix it with bark because I’m worried about them being too dry. I used to keep them in moss, but I realized they stayed too wet after losing one to rot. My smaller ones are in mostly bark, but at some point I want to go full inorganic. One question: is it normal to lose a leaf after you switch mediums? 2 of my orchids lost their lowest leaves a couple of days after repotted. I actually only recently started feeding my phals (still learning) and it’s made such a huge difference. I didn’t realize how much they’d love it. Every single orchid I own has grown a new big shiny leaf and I’ve only fed them 3 times over the course of a few weeks. I always love and appreciate your advice. I’m glad you’re having a good day movement wise, you seem like you have a bit more pep in your step today. Hope you’re having a great day!
I think it depends on what's going on in your environment(rain, dry, outside, inside), what media your plants are in and the type of orchid, there is no one size fits all ( try different watering methods, see which one works for each one of your orchid)😄
Great conditions hot days and then a down pour......I always water directly onto the roots.........it's my Intention to have them outside in the summer so I can regularly flushed them, at least once or twice a week, it's difficult for me to do this at the moment because its winter, but as soon as the weather warm up out they go......fresh air and rain
......Debra, you are getting ready to have an great orchid summer coming up...I can tell.....in the rock.....let them soak, till saturated or soak them when you spray them.......give them calcium all the time, and feed them often.........they will become huge orchids in no time........air flow is the most important thing for them inside......if they are staying wet to long.....remove the trays of shelf covering......
You talk....I listen! 💋 Up here on ontario, Canada, we’ve had 1 day of rain in a month and half...hi 90s to 108’. Been brutal but orchids are loving this hi humidity. Question, how do you try to apply lime to your mounts? I do everything you’ve told us, and in 7 years of growing, my orchids have never been better!, but cant figure out how to apply the lime to my mounts. THanks
great question Judy...........this is where that calmag really shines.......its perfect for giving those mounts calcium........add 12 drops to a gallon of water.......and let them soak in it...
I stummbled across your channel and I absolutely enjoy listening to you (rambeling or not / I enjoy it). The knowledge you have with hydroponics, amazes me. You and I have been into the Orchids about the same amount of time. I bought one Phalaenopsis knowing nothing about them ... No one else does either (by the way) Haha. I had to find everything out via RU-vid. I have 2 Phalaenopsis Orchids now. Both are mounted separately on (purchased) driftwood with spagma moss ... My question is: can I use your method with spagma moss? From what you discussed about flushing / I think I wouldn't be able to flush anything out of the spagma moss.
Hi, Rick! I must say you are absolutely right! I remember seeing the same effect on my orchids before placing them in semj hydro. Whenever they where moist, they were growing like heck! Fast and beautiful! I'm sure your video will help a lot of people! It has all the good information in it! Congratulations! We can see on your orchids how well this regime works, your orchids grow very well! Many growths, roots, sheats and buds!
I live in the Northeast and I'm relatively new to this, but have become very addicted. I now have over 16 plant's and counting... I found your channel by someone whom had attempted to mimic your teabag approach and now I have watch most of your videos, which has led me here. If I'm feeding in doors, where would you start with the better grow Orchid feed? I tried to start slow and low and almost lost 3 . Also thank you Soo much for taking the time to spend making these videos with all that you had going on with your wife and your own health problems. Your truly appreciated for helping those whom don't have the knowledge you do. Thanks
thank you Jessica....I feed low amounts...…...if Im using BetterGro…..I feed 100ppm Better Gro.....and about 50ppm of calmag.....I would add 25-30ppm of magnesium every other watering if they need it......feed them as often as you can.....Orchids like small meals often.....
Nice blooms! Until a family member was, and still is, hospitalized, I thoroughly soaked mine. But now just barely doing what I can. Not fertilizing right now. 😥
Thanks Rick for another informative video! My orchids have been doing really well with the better grow, cal mag, seaweed and garden lime....then we had the heat wave (106). I had 2 fans going in the greenhouse and most of my orchids got burnt (black leaves)...even with shade cloths around the greenhouse. 😓. The heat in the greenhouse was just too much...We're going to have another heatwave so I moved all the orchids outside with my cymbediums and covered with shade cloth. I'm looking to get an extractor fan. Felt pretty much defeated but now watching your video, I'm back and inspired to nurse my orchids back to health. Each time I see your videos I get excited to learn more! Im glad your up and around and always keep you in my prayers.
.....so sorry to hear of the set back......shade clothe and air movement........they can take the heat......but they need air and moisture to do it........keep me updated as to how your doing.....
Mounts every day with a TDS of 50/60 with a few drops of CAL/MAG, Pots every three days(depending on the weight of the pot) with a TDS of 120/150 and a few drops of CAL/MAG (and of course a flush in between ;-)
Hi Rick, I just found your channel a few days ago. What Gorgeous Plants and orchids you have. I have 13 phalaenopsis orchids now. I'm really limited on space. I only have Southern and Northern windows in my home. I have my orchids in my Northern windows because my big bay window is in a Southern window and gets to much light and I fear my Northern windows don't get enough light. I'm thinking about artificial lighting but, not sure what is the best kind. I only feed once a week. I use fertilizer for my orchids that I purchase from repotme.com it has alot of different nutrients in it. I have five in spike of the eight I had first and 5 that I'm trying to get back to health that I purchased from Walmart that I talked the manager into selling for $2.88 per orchid they were bone dry and the flowers were all dead. Some have really leathery leaves. Actually on one that's real bad. Any advice you can give me would be so Gratefully appreciated. Thank you in advance Roxanne
......thank you Roxanne.....on those phals that are wilted ...if they have good roots, leave them potted.......if not remove them from the media......just let them sit in a empty pot, clay is better.........let them soak.....plant, pot and all......bare-root.....in good water with some calmag in it.....add a few drops of kelp/seaweed, also......they need the calcium for growing new roots and for cell structure.....the kelp/seaweed will add some potassium to help them hydrate.....suck up water.......let them soak for several hours...even over night......see if they plump up some.....
You have many mounted orchids on small, self-contained situations. What if you had a large piece of driftwood collected from Mobile Bay? You could fashion depressions in a weird log and grow multiple variations requiring similar conditions all on a single mount capable of INCREDIBLE MOISTURE retention due to the fact it a it a huge azz log bro! So wild, so free, yet, planned in design of architechture of bloom season and duration. A symphony of blossom on a single structure. a MASTERPIECE of DESIGN! A symphony of color and fragrance. During day, and Night. Brassovola takes over during the early dark hours. I just commented twice. I have Orchid Brain. A very serious condition caused by appreciation of beautiful things.
Thank you so much for another informative video about growing orchids. I was wondering how often to feed and this video answered most of my questions. What are some supplements to the cal mag and orchid food? (These are all I have right now). Your orchids are all so BEAUTIFUL 😍
