mean jeans orchids

Busting loose vanda spike timeline Nov 5-7

2006-11-09T01:38:00.000+08:00

2006-11-07T23:44:00.000+08:00

final stages of vanda spike timeline

2006-11-04T02:45:00.000+08:00

Hi, I've been using slideshare to put up these powerpoint slides. If you want take a look down the page at all I have put up. I still need to put up the last couple of days. Its getting very close to opening up. The weather has really changed in the last few days, getting cooler and mistier. We've got a typhoon somewhere Out There. Last Fall, I almost got this to flower, and then my shadecloth came down and the flowers got burned. So, I think I'm almost there. I have no idea what the flowers are going to look like.

Bulbophylum mount

2006-10-23T03:29:00.000+08:00

cattleya spike timeline

2006-10-14T02:37:00.000+08:00

2006-10-12T12:44:00.000+08:00

vanda spike timeline

2006-10-12T11:07:00.000+08:00

cattleya spike timeline

2006-10-11T10:54:00.000+08:00

Here is my big cat in spike. The first pictures are from 10-9 late in the afternoon, and the second set are from10-11 in the morning. They are moving quite quickly, so I'll try to get some more late this afternoon.

vanda spike timeline

2006-10-10T01:42:00.000+08:00

day2
Here is my vanda that has just begun to spike. I'm going to post a timeline of what it looks like from start to finish. Enjoy.

vanda in spike

2006-10-10T00:34:00.001+08:00

Here are a few shots of my vanda orchid that has just begun to spike. I'm going to photograph it until its fully open, to show its timeline. Hope you like it.

2006-10-09T23:25:00.000+08:00

2006-10-09T22:46:00.000+08:00

Hello, this is our wedding video. Mom and Dad, you can tell everyone that they can watch it here. It's a little long, 22 minutes. I'll work on cutting it down. Let me know what you think.
andy

new video

2006-09-17T03:26:00.001+09:00

Hello, I'd like to tell you in advance that we're making a new video. It's all about what happens when you don't take care of your orchids. I've noticed lately that some of my plants are behaving oddly, moving around on their own, and possibly have had some combat training. I have no comfirmation of this, but if I'm right, this will be ground breaking serious video. I'm prepared to call it "When Orchids Attack".

Stay tuned, your vigilence is vital

2006-09-14T01:04:00.000+09:00

Hi there,

Here are a few shots from me backyard. The Big pinkish flowers are from a giant Cattleya hybrid. There are 4 to 5 more sheaths plumping up, getting ready to flower. I'm not sure of the name. If you know, let me know. One other is a Bulbophylum that is just beginning to come out. These only come once a year, and go quickly. I want to try to get some shots of it opening up. So come back and look if you're interested. The other is a ruby red Dendrobium.

2006-08-10T02:37:00.000+09:00

mean jeans orchids

2006-08-09T01:17:00.000+09:00

mean jeans orchids Hi, we're coming home in September. From Taiwan to Oklahoma. If anybody out there would like some orchid flasks from Taiwan, free of international delivery charges, just ask me. I can bring flasks through legally with me as carry on. So, if there's anything you're dying for e-mail me quickly at 2aroach@go.com.
Thanks
Andy

2006-07-17T01:48:00.000+09:00

Here is a small Phalaenopsis in bloom mounted on a stone.

2006-07-14T18:55:00.000+09:00

Zoom in on these. These are a couple of Cirr. Bulbophylums mounted on wood. They were both made with the idea that they would sit on a coffee table when in bloom. Take a look at the plant in bloom.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5559/1929/1600/PA080200.jpg

Holy Giant Orchid!!

2006-07-14T15:40:00.000+09:00

Take a close look at this Cattleya. It has 6 or 7 new growths waiting to spike. I think the whole plant weighs over 30 pounds

Hanging Mounted Orchids

2006-07-12T02:24:00.000+09:00

script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MeanJeansOrchids?format=sigpro" type="text/javascript" >
Long time-No post

Here are a few examples of mounted orchids. Can you guess which one has been up the longest. Its one of the first that I've done and I've learned a lot from it. I'll give it two days and if you nobody guesses which one it is, I'll post again.

mounting orchids

2006-06-11T03:16:00.000+09:00

Hi,

This is an introduction to a series of videos I am putting together about mounting orchids that I'll have posted in the coming weeks.

First of all, why take an orchid out of its pot and stick it on a tree branch or something? Its a creative and atrractive way to grow your plants. Its fun, rewarding, and a bit of a challenge. Orchids grow this way in their natural environment. You can easily move them around to where you want them in all seasons.

What can you use to mount an orchid?

Just let your imagination go. A tree, a stick, old stump, a rough pitted stone, maybe a fence post, whatever. Different varieties like different conditions. Try to match how the plant grows in nature as your guide.

A common and attractive option is corkboard. Its well suited for a variety of orchids. Such as, Dend, Phals, Bulbophylums, all Cattleya varieties, Oncidiums, and tons more. Corkboard is firm, with lots of crevices to put roots in to, drains easily, and so is not prone to rot.

I like to use pieces of wood that I've found at the beach or into the woods. Its has that aged, rustic look, and lots of crevices for toots to work in to.

What tools do you need? You might need a pair of scissors, wire cutters, small gauge wire, moss, fishing line, shade cloth, a hammer, and maybe a stapler.

What about watering and feeding? Well it all depends, but since you probably won't be using as much medium, as you would with a pot, You'll need to increase your watering and feeding.

Where can you put a mounted orchid? You can hang it under a tree, or on the eve of a patio. Maybe you could set in on a coffee table, in the bedroom, or in your office. Just about anywhere that suits you and the plant.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free. I should have a few how-to videos up in a short while.

2006-06-05T04:26:00.000+09:00

This is an introduction to mounting orchids.

Phalaenopsis orchid care

2006-06-04T00:56:00.000+09:00

Phalaenopsis orchids are one my favorite orchids. Yes, they're one of the most common that you see, but I still enjoy them. I like them if their hybrids, species, clones, whatever.

You'll see them in the movies, and commercials if you take a close look.

Here I'll talk about their basic characteristics, care, and some growing tips. I'll try to stay away from too many scientific terms and try to communicate in a way that new and novice growers will easily understand.

The phalaenopsis is a warm growing orchid that seems to enjoy moderate light. What does that mean? Well it can grow in temps anywhere from 50-95 and can survive a few degrees either way but not on an ongoing basis. They like light that is bright, but not direct. Direct exposure to the midday sun will kill a moth orchid in no time. They're not vampires though and can take higher doses of light if they're exposed slowly.

What about watering? Moth orchids don't have a psuedobulb to store water. They only have their roots and leaves to hold their food and water. Knowing when and how much too water is one of the most important skills to know about Phalaenopsis. Overwatering is very easy to do. A moth orchid that goes too long without water equally detrimental. So finding a happy medium is crucial for your new orchids future.

You want to have some continuity to you watering. Don't let it dry up for a week and then flood it for a week. That will just throw the plant out of wack. I grow all my Phalaenopsis is Sphagnum moss and I've found that I water about every five days. It varies though, if the weather is cold and cloudy, I might water every 10 days. If its sunny all week, I might need to water every 3-4 days. Basically when you water, you want to make sure it is evenly wet. Make sure all the moss has been soaked and let the water drain out. Check back in 3-4 days and see how it feels and looks. One way to tell is by how heavy the pot feels, or poke your finger in the moss and if you feel moisture, just wait a day or two. You want to water just before its dry. Don't wait until its bone dry and the moss has shriveled away from the pot.

Phalaenopsis like high humidity, so I mist the leaves and top roots once a day.

Feeding your orchid is important too. You've probably heard "weakly-weekly. Its probably best to use a good orchids fertilizer at half-strength once a week when you water. What I do is once every two weeks I fertilize when I water and then in between week I spray the top leaves and roots with fertilizer. That's how one local grower showed me and it seems to work for me.

2006-04-30T02:15:00.000+09:00

test video

post your orchid questions here

2006-04-22T14:05:00.000+09:00

Hi, if you you have any questions about orchids and how to work with orchids, feel free to post them here. I'd like to start making some how to videos. I'm not an expert but there are tons that live in my area, that I know and can get advice on. If you want to know how to repot, deflask, mount, take care of bugs, how to water, feed, or anything, I'd be glad to work on it. You can post it here or email me at 2aroach@go.com. If you know someone who'd be interested, just send them here.
Andy

2006-04-12T01:32:00.000+09:00

I was driving around the other day and found this giant orchid greenhouse. I think its about 1 acre in size. They brought me in, had tea, and let me roam around inside. One of the owners wants to learn English, and I want to learn more about orchids. So it looks like I'll get to learn as much as I can from these guys. I don't know how they handle all the plants. I was only there for an hour and I saw them repotting dendrobiums and Cattleyas, and looking after their vandas. So in the next few weeks I might have so video on some basic how to, and growing tips.
Andy

Before and After

2006-04-08T00:50:00.000+09:00

BEFORE AFTER

This is where I built my new shade house. In the first shot you can see the layout. It can hold about 8 tables. The sun is definitly creeping over and filling the area most of the day. In the second shot you can see some of the tables. Its a cloud day, so its a little hard to tell.

2006-04-02T01:36:00.000+09:00

This is what Joyce talked with you about earlier. No, we haven't yet/ But can we use the backyard in September or so?

New shadehouse

2006-03-31T01:40:00.000+09:00

Here is another new phalaenopsis that I grew from the flask. This picture really reflects its true colors. I took some pictures today of my other new flowers but the color is not right. I'll post them when I can. I'll look up the name tomorrow.

New Orchids

2006-03-24T23:25:00.000+08:00

Alright, here they are. These are some of the first to open up, quite a few more should be opening in the coming weeks. When we bought the flasks, there were no pictures to know what they might look like. I didn't grow the Everspring Prince from the flask, but I did with the other two. This is the first time for me, so its kind of cool.

Orchid Thief(rescue)

2006-03-16T23:55:00.000+08:00

I'm going to posts a few shots from the neighbors down the street. The house is 4 floors, gigantic, and no one's ever at home. A friend said he only saw them once in 2 years around 3 in the morning. He thinks them Vampires. Anyways they have some really cool dendrobiums, Cattleyas, and a few phalaenopsis orchids that have outgrown their pots by 2 or three. I really want to take them back to my house and give them some water.

You can zoom in on all of these.

mean jeans orchids

2006-03-16T00:44:00.000+08:00

If you have any orchid related questions, you're welcome to post here. If you would like to see a picture tutorial or even video about how to do anything with orchids, leave a comment here and I'll try to get on it.

Orchid Show Pics

2006-03-15T23:50:00.000+08:00

Try to zoom in on this. There are hundreds
here.

On the right is a Phalaenopsis Giaganteum

Taiwan International Orchid Show

2006-03-14T23:54:00.001+08:00

Joyce and I took a train up to Hobi in Tainan County. TOP, Taiwan Orchid Plantation is huge. We spent most of the day in the competition greenhouse taking pictures, and spend a little time in the vendor area. I saw lots that I'd like to buy, but I really have so many in the shadehouse that need attention. Well I'm just going to post some of the pics and hope you enjoy.

Taiwan International Orchid Show

2006-03-14T23:54:00.000+08:00

Joyce and I took a train up to Hobi in Tainan County. TOP, Taiwan Orchid Plantation is huge. We spent most of the day in the competition greenhouse taking pictures, and spent a little time in the vendor area. I saw lots that I'd like to buy, but I really have so many in the shade house that need attention. Well I'm just going to post some of the pics and hope you enjoy. By the way you're more than welcome to use these photos as you please.

2006-03-08T00:14:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Jen and Thrity.

2006-02-28T00:18:00.000+08:00

I had to move quickly on this one. The sun was high, the plant was in full sun, roots dangling, new growths ready to snap from the pressure. I tried to act calm trying not alert the stunned plant to panic. Ok- Then I burned the tips of my scissors to kill any bacteria and divided into two new plants and packed them lightly with sphagnum moss. This is only temporary, it would have the chance of staying to moist. These both have quite a few new growths and at least 3-4 mature bulbs and it looks to be happy.

I've fallen and can't get up

2006-02-27T22:12:00.000+08:00

My Cirr. Bulchberry fell off the post. Actually it was past being ready to repot, and I think it jumped just to get my attention. I could be wrong.

night time in the house.

2006-02-25T04:21:00.000+08:00

About 2 weeks I guess on these spikes. But, that what I said two weeeks ago

2006-02-12T21:18:00.000+08:00

Here's a nice shot taken by Mean Jean herself.

Phalaenopsis orchid mounted on tree

2006-02-12T21:02:00.000+08:00

Take a look at this one mounted high on a tree. There's a park near my house where they've mounted hundreds of phalaenopsis and dendrobium. If you can zoom in you can see the roots attaching themselves to the tree.

mean jeans orchids

2006-01-24T01:03:00.000+08:00

We'll be going back to the orchid park on Wednesday to see what's new. They usually are only open on the weekends, but its New years again so they're there everyday for 2 weeks. I'm sure there's plenty I didn't see. Right now there are so many pinks of Phalaenopsis, and Cattleya. In Chinese culture, red is for good luck and prosperity, white is bad luck and death. So there are not too many whites.

2006-01-23T00:25:00.000+08:00

Orchid park January 23.

=

2006-01-23T00:18:00.000+08:00

2006-01-22T22:59:00.000+08:00

These are a few shots from the park today. More to come.

mean jeans orchids

2006-01-21T23:45:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Years is around the corner. The orchid park around my house is gearing up. I've never seen the place so packed with pink phalaenopsis. They're also hosting a small local show and contest. They have some of the biggest cattleyas I've ever seen, along with the largest vanda. It must be at least 15 years old. I didn't have my camera with me so I'm going back tomorrow and will post again soon.

2006-01-21T00:33:00.000+08:00

orchid park two weeks ago

2006-01-21T00:15:00.000+08:00

Here are a few shots from the park a few weeks back. Every weekend we get the chance to see hundreds of beautiful orchids. Let me know what you think, thanks.

2006-01-17T14:29:00.000+08:00

You can see that there are no roots coming out the bottom of the basket. It used to have tons, oh well. I snipped off the black rotted roots. We'll see where it goes.
Lucky to have these side roots, or it would be toast

Big bad Vanda

2006-01-17T14:05:00.000+08:00

It should be hard to over-water a Vanda, but I've done it. Actually I thought it wasn't getting enough, so I used a little moss in the basket and that's how you give a Vanda too much water.

2006-01-13T14:02:00.000+08:00

2006-01-13T13:41:00.000+08:00

This is a Phalaenopsis that I picked up last year for about 25 cents. It spiked from the center, between the leaves. It grew another plant to the side. You should be able to zoom in and look closer. Its double spiking, so I'm excited to see what happens

2006-01-06T12:51:00.000+08:00

These are shots of some of my Phalaenopsis. They are all about 9 months out of the flask. The first picture is in spike. It probably has at least another month before flowers appear. There is a picture of the shadehouse looking down from my roof.

2006-01-06T12:46:00.000+08:00

Here is a shot shade house. This is in my backyard. Its about 15x10.

Phals and species Cattleya

2005-12-23T22:52:00.000+08:00

Hello

I just got 30 flasks of Phalenopsis, two different varieties. I'll be starting on the flasks after the holidays. I'll be putting up some pictures and hopefully some step by step how to. I'll put up some of the ways I've learned to deflask. Everyone has their way. I was recently told not to break the bottles or swish water around the bottle to get them out. This grower said its best to use long tongs to gently free them up. I guess its a bit more gentle. Every grower I know says something different, even condtradicting what another expert grower says. So I'll show the different methods. So I'll show deflasking and potting.

I also got 100 species Cattleya. Some of them had just finished flowering, and quite a few are set to open in the next few weeks. I'll put some pictures of them up to.

If you'd like, you could put down any topics of growing orchids you would like to learn about.
Thanks
Andy

just beginning

2005-12-14T23:35:00.000+08:00

mean jean orchidsHi. We just started this blog, and just want to post pictures of my orchids, and my shadehouse and be able to share growing tips and advice.
So If you want to share some pictures, how to, or just leave a comment, that's fine.
Andy

mean jean orchids

2005-12-14T23:23:00.000+08:00

mean jean orchidsdfasdffg rfwerewr rewrwerwer

2005-12-13T00:57:00.000+08:00

2005-12-13T00:18:00.000+08:00

Close up, in bloom 2 weeks

2005-12-12T23:21:00.000+08:00

cool Huh.

Want to know about orchids

2005-12-01T23:48:00.000+08:00

Would anyone be interested in a site dedicated to learning to grow orhids.