Important Orchid update

Back on the 30th of June I talked about my Orchid that I had planted into the OKID POT or Smart pot.
As you are probable aware by looking at the picture what I have is a CYMBIDIUM ORCHID and I have since gained some very valuable information that I must share with all, this comes from the Inventor of the Smart Pot who is a very advert Orchid Grower, I will print the information as it was sent to me so it stays the same.

Autopot is excellent for orchid growing including Cymbidium
-          Smartpot is less suited for Cymbidium as compared to Phalaenopsis

-          This is because Smartpot (or at times we call it Okid pot) is designed strictly for under cover use including indoors where you would not receive any excess water or spillage of water from the pot.

-          Hence the smartpot has no drainage holes

Cymbidium will grow very well in the smart pot except that it must be outside
-          But this orchid is best positioned in an area outside often exposed to rain.

-          In this case, you would need an Autopot that allows drainage.

-          For that reason, Autopot hanging basket is recommended and not the Smart-pot

Cymbidium Orchid in Smart Pot

So you see this is important information regarding Orchids which I did not know at the time, never the less it was all I could get  and you will be pleased to know it is doing very well so far but I will shift it into a hanging basket and get it outside in the near future and replant the Smart pot with a Phalaenopsis when I can get my hands on one.

Simple Tunnel House

After seeing how much the plants appreciated the cover I put over the frame work I decided to work on putting together a structure utilizing the clear tarp the I talked about in my last update. I also wanted to  utilized all the existing timber so their was no wastage. I had another win, one of my Grower Group members dropped off a length of Aluminum pool fencing that was heading for the dump, I had mention that they make great shelving if you add some legs, Thanks. I have cut it into 3 length and now I have a tidy grow bench space.
I mentioned that the clear tarp which comes with eyelets etc was very durable and a great product well when I brought mine it cost $33.00 I checked yesterday and they have jumped up to $38 .75  I guess they have prover popular.
Construction is simple 2" rural irrigation poly pipe,  small star pickets, 3x4 meter Clear tarp, angle brackets to slip pipe onto, and a bunch of cable ties.
I have since worked up a plan for a full tunnel house with a ridge ventilation along the top.
I will attach my white 50% cloth when the summer heat arrives. I have left the ends open but can easily cover in.
See what you think but I am pleased with it and may replace my other covered space that I grow my Tomatoes in with the same structure and I would utilize the wire mesh to make a stronger support for my overhead tomato vines.

My new house

Before setting up the benches

Room for everything

Countering the cold snap

We have definatly upset the the planet if this unusual weather is anything to go by.
The last few nights have been well below normal so I decided to cover my outdoor plants for a day or to and they are loving it.
What I have use is a new product called a Clearview Tarp comes with eyelets at every 50cm so it's simple to quickly attach and is 3 x 4 meters in size and retails at $33.00 which I think is good value.
Its made from 178 gsm plastic and is very strong.
Here are a couple of photos so you can see for yourself how good this is.

Easy to tye down with the eyelets.

Exelant light inside

Walkway update.

Got a chance to take a new picture of the walkway at a local school that is using a Smart pump to water and feed 18 hanging baskets along the covered walkway to the assembly hall.

Every day they are looking more spectacular and there is nothing they need to do to look after them just pick off the dead flowers and enjoy.

Re potting

One of my Hanging Basket had come to the end of it flowering, I know I could have trimmed it and got a second flowering but I need to keep them fresh for my Mobile display.
What did amaze me was the root structure and how it had forced it's way into every nook and cranny.
So I have captured it so you can see, the lesson is when re potting a hanging basket take the time to unscrew the base and clean out the Smart - Valve area to make sure you get trouble free growing.
This particular basket I used Perlite in the bottom cavity but with the new planting I have used rock wool it will be interesting to see if there is a difference.

You can see how the roots force there way through.

Cleaned out ready to assemble

Rock wool in the base then the potting mix.

I have also replanted one of my Hydrotrays with Pansy and Lobelia, there are some stunning Pansy's available these days and I love their happy faces. I am thinking of putting the whole thing into a wooden planter I think that would look great.

Pansy and Lobilia