Whilst repotting some 40 paphs after winter I found that I had 9 with barely a root to their name. I decided to experiment with some live moss used by reptile growers in their vivariums. Today I have been looking to see if any of them were looking any better in the root department. Pleased to say that 5 of them are showing roots around 19mm long but more surprising they are very strong and very thick new roots much thicker than I would have expected for the size of the plants. Another 3 have much smaller but still strong roots whilst 1 ( fairieanum ) is just starting to show small nubbins of roots. The moss isn't cheap but when you consider the number of plants saved
what's a few extra quid??

Ed

Hi Ed, we keep trays of live spaghnum (it's not hard to grow) and use it for reviving plants with no roots, its also good for rooting cuttings and getting keikis to grow on broken off bits of dendrobiums etc. Nepenthes growers have been dabbling with it for years for rooting cuttings, it seems like the live sphag produces something that helps prevent rot/infections (just a theory). Its has to be live sphag though, anything in dead spagh will most likely rot.

Sphagnum does contain Phenolic compounds, which prevent total breakdown in peat formation, in addition, chitosan and cinnamic acid, all antibacterial/fungal inhibitors, although the consensus is, too small a concentration to be of real benefit. tests were studied on food poisoning bacteria.
So maybe good/strong enough for Orchid type bacteria/fugal diseases.
Barnie.

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Barnie
Horticulture --- The Quest To Put Roots On A Pencil.

Just how many have you got exactly

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Anyone got a bit of Rhynchostele (Amparoa, Lemboglossum, Odontoglossum ...??) cervantesii that needs a new home?

Exactly 58 HUD of which 22 are multiflorals.

Ed

Exactly 58 HUD of which 22 are multiflorals.



where do you buy them from Ed.