Newbie - please help

9 years ago

Orchids · More Info

I got these little DR off ebay. They are about 5.5" tall and caudex is about 1/2" at its widest. Shallow pot is about 6" wide at widest point and 2" deep (I have 2 pots). I was planning on potting each in its own pot with Gritty Mix and wintering on a south facing window sill until spring when they would transition to outside. I have read everything I can find online but would sure like some "real time" advice from all of the experts here.... I know about cutting back water in the winter but since these are so young I think I still need to give them SOME water, but how much and how often. My house has about 40% humidity this time of year, not sure what it will be like once we put on the heat. Heater will be set at 68 degrees. I know they may lose all their leaves and that's ok, I know to look out for pests, I know they will probably NOT be the color flower(s) that they were advertised as.... Please chime in with any additional info you think would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Dain (Zone 5a, high NM Desert)

9 years ago

I keep many of mine in a south facing window. If they aren't getting much colder than 68, you could water a little more, perhaps every 3 days or so. I think those pots might be a bit large, but if it's all you've got they'll be fine. I have several adenium from that same seller, and all have had pink single flowers. The dude really needs to step up his game and buy seeds from reputable sellers.

Here's one of mine in a shallow bonsai pot like you have. Over time, as the caudex has grown, it has caused the plant to tip quite a bit. I've let it do it's thing.

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Comments (10)

User
9 years ago
It looks like you got everything researched. I think your house will be warm enough. They will lose leaves when you move them into those pots but they'll grow new ones in no time. You're right about them needing water at this age.

Did you mean gritty mix as in 1:1:1 or the 5:1:1 version? I recommend adding more bark so your proportion is closer to 8:1:1. It makes it easier to maintain plantlings this age in winter.

Pagan
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Gigi z 8A, Upstate SC, USA
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both. If not what I have, what size pot would you recommend at this point? I want to give them the best fighting chance. If (and when) mine all have the same flowers and not what he advertised I will definitely post a review on ebay - !!!
Gigi z 8A, Upstate SC, USA
Original Author
9 years ago
Oh and would these 6" pots be ok after they grow a bit more?
User
9 years ago
No, those pots suck, they're completely unsuitable so send them to me lol

Seriously, yes. I think they'll be great.

P
Gigi z 8A, Upstate SC, USA
Original Author
9 years ago
Pagan, Ok so pot in SMALLER pots now (like 3-4"pots) and then move up to these "completely unsuitable :-)" pots later OR ok to pot in these 6"ers now? I will pot them in Coconut
husk, coco peat, pumice, vermiculite, agricultural lime, trace minerals, and a
small amount of slow release organic nutrients.

If I keep these guys alive until spring - please recommend a reputable grower in the US I can order from and actually get what I paid for???
User
9 years ago
Frankly, they'll be fine in 4-inch pots for at least a year and will also do fine in that 6-inch shallow pot. You have to decide what you're comfortable with. If I were you, I'd plant them in those shallow pots and be done with it. That way I won't have to bother with them for the next 2 years or so. Just adjust your watering regimen in summer (i.e. more, more water).

As for plant sources, you have to get grafted ones in order to be relatively sure you will get what you pay for (relatively, I say, because even this is not fool-proof). Try Durham Botanicals if they have any left---in my experience they are a bit pricey but they have sent me strong, well-grafted plants so far. I used to order from adeniumrose because they tell you if the plants they are selling have bloomed true to name (I think they import plants then wait for them to bloom so they can say "Yep, this IS red"). Horrendous V grafts though.

There are also people in this forum who sell fantastic plants, you'll have to suss them out because forum etiquette does not allow adverts. Before you ask--I don't sell plants.

Pagan
Gigi z 8A, Upstate SC, USA
Original Author
9 years ago
Pagan,

Looked on their site and REALLY want to order on of their grafted plants. Would I be crazy to spend the money now (fall) assuming I will be facing the hardest time to try to keep it alive? (Patience is not a virtue I possess but neither is lots of money)
eeyore94sooregon
9 years ago
I have bought 4 plants from logees.com. Haven't had any problems from them. And there are a cple that sell on here.
SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
9 years ago
I can vouch for what Pagan said about the Adeniumrose company's horrendous V grafts. I purchased one of their plants. Not sure who or where their supplier is but the graft looks like something Dr. Frankenstein put together. Not to say that I wouldn't buy from them again, especially if they are the only place that I can find that has that MUST HAVE plant. I'd buy it from them in a heartbeat. Dr. Frankenstein graft and all.