Pleione Spring 2010..... to July!

[karel_t]

FrazerHenderson - Nice overcrowded pan of Shantung 
In Prague has started the flowering season!
Here the first of P. forrestii and next will follow during a short time.
Karel

[johanneshoeller]

Some informations about Changnienia amoema:
It is a Chinese orchid and looks like Calypso bulbosa. I grow them in common with my Pleiones for 5 years (this year the first flowers). The plant has leaves between autumn and spring, flowering in winter/early spring (here in Europe) and dormant in summer, but need wet conditions in summer. I use Pleione substrate with more Sphagnum. They have started to flower after I covered them with snow. In winter I kept them a little wet and cold (near 0°C).
I think a nearly impossible to cultivate plant here in Europe (too different climatic conditions).

[Slug Killer]

Some more information from the book 'Orchids Of China'.

[luis]

Thank you very much, this information is great!!!

[Maggi Young]

Rob, potassium hydroxide is tricky stuff, not something that I personally would be using at home ....."Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a very caustic, extremely alkaline substance. It is readily soluble in water, which makes it a popular laboratory chemical, as it can be used in many laboratory experiments, not to mention for a wide range of other applications also. When it is dissolved in water, potassium hydroxide gives out a good amount of heat. A chemical reaction which emits heat is known as an exothermic reaction. Potassium Hydroxide in its pure form is a hazardous substance and should therefore only be handled by qualified and competent persons. Although some of the weaker concentrations of KOH are not as hazardous, they should still only be handled by suitable, trained individuals. "

Maybe some of our pleione growers can suggest another, less risky method?

[Slug Killer]

Rob, If you just want PH adjusters, go to a hydroponic/aquarium shop or Ebay. Just type in PH up or PH down or Potassium hydroxide on Ebay search.

When adding the up/down PH adjuster you will only need tiny drops of it from a pipette (also available on Ebay) so I recommend you only buy a very small bottle (about £2.50 on Ebay). You you can't afford to invest in a PH meter, make sure you get some decent PH testing strips.

Potassium hydroxide is available from any of these stores and is commonly used for what you want it for.

Good luck with your seeds.

David

[Maggi Young]

Hi Rob, no I am never likely to  be at a snowdrop Gala !
There are a lot of Maggies out there I know,but if you ever meet me ( or hear me)you'll know it's me!

I heard you on the radio clip about the galanthus mania and events, by the way; i thought that was pretty cool for you!

[Diane Clement]

thanks Dave! i didn't think to look for pH up or pH down, i know these are available in aquatic stores and didn't put two and two together.
i think the medium has to have its pH reduced so it will be a pH down. i didn't realise these aquatic adjusters with actually potassium hydroxide!

Rob, Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali (similar to bleach) so it will put the pH up not down

[Eric Locke]

Back to some Pleione  

Two more Leda and Krakatoa clones.

Eric

[Eric Locke]

And More

Brigadoon
Brigadoon "Stonechat"
 Hekla "Partridge"

Eric

[Eric Locke]

A Few More

Formosana "Snowcap"
Kituro "Sulpher"
Pan of Zeus Weinstein

Eric

[Eric Locke]

Not forgetting another Grandiflora  

Eric

[karel_t]

Eric, very nice looking P. Kituro 'Sulpher', it is my favorite, but all your plants are beautiful.
K.

[Ragged Robin]

Eric, very nice looking P. Kituro 'Sulpher', it is my favorite, but all your plants are beautiful.
K.

I agree...but Brigadoon "Stonechat" is very special too 

[Diane Clement]

hi Diane, OK I'm confused now !
i was told that i needed the potassium hydroxide to lower the pH, but you say it will only increase it?  perhaps the pH down is a different form of potassium hydroxide or something?  i know of pH down as i have seen it in aquatic shops before so i guess i will need this one.  

Rob, I know almost nothing about Pleione cultivation, but I do know that Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkali and will therefore take the pH up.  There are no forms of Potassium hydroxide that do anything else.  
I suggest you take a look at Paul Cumbleton's site for lots of information about growing Pleiones including raising from seed http://www.pleione.info/