Message to Doc DL - Cattleya seedling culture and mounts

PS, As I feel obligated to share cultivation techniques (sans my "secret recipes), I would rather answer questions pertaining to culture,etc on the blog. If it involves ultra-sensitive drug-disease-related question then it's altogether a different matter.

Pertaining to where to get orchid culture materials in Singapore, you may want to get it froma garden centre specialising in orchids such as Woon Leng Orchids (click on link on RHS of blog for address and contacts)

For Cattleya alliance, the mount of choice in Singapore is tree-fern slab aka fernroot slab.Saw into appropriate pieces to accomodate a couple more new growths, fix up the hook, tie your plant on and you are ready to go.

I find growing orchids a bit like providing pharmaceutical care. It is individualised to the plant type,your home/growing environment, the direction and exposure of growing area (to estimate thru' solar solstice), your habits and the time you can spare. So a little more detail would be appreciated.

With regards to place to grow, Cattleya alliances in general like good air flow with good relative humidity - however there are some species which prefer wetter conditions as they are found hanging over rivers such as Cattleya violacea, which are found above rivers. Interesting story about cattleya violacea - in the past, young men froma village had to find the blue version in order to get a bride and the black version heralds DOoms Day!

Remember that Cattleyas in general are heavy feeders - do not hang them over white tiles or any expensive floorings or wall unless you want massive algae growth from fertiliser run off !

For seedlings, slowly increase exposure to sunlight - go from 60% to 90%. If you live in a skyrise with a overhanging shelter (e.g. balcony), move from 2 feet in doors, to 1 feet then to as close as possible to to window - do it with sucessive pseudobulb formation. This is to acclimatise the plant slowly to develop roots and leaves appropriate to that solar exposure.