How often do folks re-apply oyster shell? I treated 4/30/05 and am not sure when to add more.

Thanks!

I don't apply oyster shells but I do feed my plants egg shells every now and then.

Egg shells? Really?
How often and how much?
Do you do anything special to the egg shells first like wash them?

Egg shells? Really?
How often and how much?
Do you do anything special to the egg shells first like wash them?

Yes I wash them first and then crush them. I feed my plants egg shells not too often, maybe once every 6 months or I mix the egg shells with the media when I repot.

I use a fair amount of oyster shell, usually as 10-15 % of the basic mix for the species I feel it is appropriate.

Since I generally use clear pots, I can see it decrease through the months, and when it gets kinda sparse I top dress with it.

So the answer to your question Heather is to add more when it dissolves away. Which will depend on how and what you water with.

Which sub-genuses generally tend to benefit from this?

I started by using the list on the Antec web site. I think the document is "Calcium for Paphs" or something like that.

Allot of the multiflowers
Brachy's
most of the Parvi's
and about 1/2 of Paphiopedilum
Most of the Cochlopedilum

None of the Barbata

But there are also a bunch of calcarious species that realy don't seem to care anyway based on other peoples results. But it seems to work for me.

Great, thanks Rick.

ANTEC does have a list broken down to paphs that benefit from oyster shell! I was actually kind of dissapointed with them. I had hoped to stop by there on my quick trip to that area, and they told me they were a private greenhosue and not open to the public. I do understand, but wanted to stop by and maybe get a few plants :(

ANTEC does have a list broken down to paphs that benefit from oyster shell! I was actually kind of dissapointed with them. I had hoped to stop by there on my quick trip to that area, and they told me they were a private greenhosue and not open to the public. I do understand, but wanted to stop by and maybe get a few plants :(

Hmmm, yeah, sometimes I wonder if they really are interested in selling plants there. :confused: Not the first time I've heard a story like that about them.

Anyway, I used their list also, printed it out and starred (**) the plants in my collection that would like the shell. Thanks for the insight, all! I'll give it another few weeks and treat again.

I am interested in the benfits of the oyster shell. I was thinking of applying it to my plants that need that mineral/ nutrient regime. What do you do if you have a primary hybrid and only 1 parent like the oysters shell, and the other parent doesn't? Like say a cross between bellatuluam and delenatii. Bellatulum will like it but delenatii will not. To Oyster or not to Osyter that is the question.... :clap2:

Hmmm...I wonder why Antec won't let their customers see their greenhouse and their plants! Hmmm...

I did talk to Ms. Wellenstein, and she said they were really busy, and the greenhouse was full. So I understand, but.... I did call 2 days in advance to try to set up something. Mr. Kunish of Bloomfield seemed very nice. Too bad I had to cancel that one.

I am interested in the benfits of the oyster shell. I was thinking of applying it to my plants that need that mineral/ nutrient regime. What do you do if you have a primary hybrid and only 1 parent like the oysters shell, and the other parent doesn't? Like say a cross between bellatuluam and delenatii. Bellatulum will like it but delenatii will not. To Oyster or not to Osyter that is the question.... :clap2:

I would think the pod parent requirements would dominate but it would have to be tested really carefully imho because of so many variables. I've been researching some of my hybrids to see which would benefit from the calcium too but I'll open a new post about that one...

I'll have to try some egg shells or oyster and go and get the list again

I get my crushed oyster shells from a feed store ( its carried for chickens)
which may stop carrying it. Is there another source? Might go to the beach and get some - wash them of course.

Hmmm...I wonder why Antec won't let their customers see their greenhouse and their plants! Hmmm...

probably because they don't have the time to supervise all the nuts who go around switching tags or stealing plants outright.

Pete, when you use eggshells, do you do anything to remove the inner membrane lining that holds the outer shell together? Or do you just grind it all up?
Thanks,

Marcus, I just grind it all up and sprinkle or mix it with the media before repotting.

Great thanks, just had some eggs for breakfast :D

I was thinking I might(next repotting) mix some crushed oyster shell into my mix. Not sure about the eggs....

I got my oyster shell from Kelley's Korner in Kittery.

Say that three times fast Paphgirl!

Say that three times fast Paphgirl!

You know, it's funny, I always think of them as Krispy Kreme Orchids....and I've never even had a Krispy Kreme before, but for some reason, they have that nickname from me....I know, I'm really strange.

It might not be that important,


Growers used to grow delenatii's alkaline until it's habitat was rediscovered and they found it growing on granite boulders, I don't think they killed the plants either ways

mmmm.... Krispy Kreme... :-dance:

Nothing like a fresh hot Krispy Kreme when you are waiting in line for a dozen....mmmmmmmm donuts.....

You southerner's and y'all's Krispy Kremes! :roll:
We actually have a couple around here but not near me. I have enough trouble finding an (evil) starbucks around here! :roll: They really are evil, but they make damn good coffee, darn it all!

I use to eat a dozen at a time, back when I was eating everything I could see......Now, I just say no, I'm an addict :cry: ...12 Step program

Once upon a time, I was given a book entitled The Addictive Personality. Yeah, never read that - I'm happier thinking De Nile is the very famous river.

So, we don't have any addicts here, do we? :poke:
Nah, I didn't think so!


Whew!!!

Does the addictive personality apply to only food or does it apply to orchids as well! Good thing they are not fatening.

It is an aphrodisiac.. I wonder if the orchids get horny-baby.... :poke: :lol:

sometimes i'm not sure if it's an addiction or an obsession
perhaps a little from column a, a little from column b....

You southerner's and y'all's Krispy Kremes! :roll:
We actually have a couple around here but not near me. I have enough trouble finding an (evil) starbucks around here! :roll: They really are evil, but they make damn good coffee, darn it all!

Krispy Kreme's weakness is their coffee. It's usually horrible.
Now if you could cross Krispy Kreme with Starbucks... :idea:

I agree with Paphraguy the Oyster shell sometimes can have salt, and salt die the roots I prefer crushed eggs shells, some places sell this ready for use.

I decided to use crushed coral and I'll let you know how it turns out.