I'm currently building a blackwater vase/jarrarium-type thing (mostly as a wee experiment) and now the moss seems pretty well established I am onto the stage of adding other plants.
Whilst not strictly very cold water (stays at ambient temperature in heated room) I don't think it will be suitable for any plants that require 24 C or greater temps and was wondering if anyone had experience of growing elodea densa in blackwater conditions?
Also, I know litorella uniflora should do well - given that it grows pretty abundantly in and around tannin rich lochs here in Scotland - but was wondering if anyone could advice of its growth rate?
Finally, I would love to add epiphytes but am not aware of any that do OK in cooler temperatures.
Sorry for the barrage of questions, thought I'd be better posting them in one thread rather than flooding the sub! :)
I want to add a few epiphyte plants between rocks and/or crevices. Need suggestions.
TL;DR - I have a Phalaenopsis sp. that hangs onto the side of a plastic pot. It's roots have no contact with soil, moss, or any porous material. It's grown this way for a month, just soaking and misting the roots as 'needed'... Am I good?
I got gifted a few grocery store Phals a few months ago, and have done my best to care for them. One of them is still planted in it's container and doing fine. The other had some serious issues, and I had pinned it up on a hanging plant rack I have to keep it out of the way while I fixed up a space for it. Then I forgot about it, and it started to improve. Now I soak the root in rainwater + a microdose of Orchid food every other day, and mist multiple times a day. I know this is 10000% the least efficient way of maintaining a Phal, but is working? The plant is alive, with healthier roots than before, but I have a constant feeling of "This is a bit ridiculous."
Will this plant continue to survive, given I keep it fed and watered consistently? I have multiple Tillandsia sp. and have pretty much treated it the same as them.
About 7 months ago, I got my first anthurium, and 2 months ago I picked up a second one. I've been watering very sparingly because I'd read they're proper epiphytes like my orchids (I've been keeping orchids for over a decade), and I know roots intended to wrap around trees aren't usually pleased when kept wet and oxygen-deprived. So far both are doing fine, producing new growth, and the one I've had longer even put out a second round of flowers, but I keep worrying about that very peat-heavy, absorbent, dense mix they came potted in, as it reminds me of how orchids are often sold in packed sphagnum that is only suitable for specific culture methods.
Can I pot these two up in 7" slotted terracotta orchid pots (similar size to the current nursery pots they are in now) with a mix of fir, perlite and sphagnum, like I do my orchids? The roots look to be roughly the same diameter and texture as my phalaenopsis's roots, so it seems logical they would prefer similar conditions where they can be watered often but have constant access to abundant ventilation and aeration.
Also, is there a significant risk of transition setback for them if I change the media so dramatically? Anything I can do to minimize this?
I should add that these are the rather standard, untagged garden center "flamingo flower" anthuriums (one red, one hot pink). Nothing special, but attractive none the less.
