Orchid Dendrobium

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:54 pm

Well, I decided that it would be a good idea to buy some flowers to help keep the dorm room from getting so stuffy feeling, and the Orchids caught my attention. So, after rushing around and cursing after it fell over I found some of the flowers that fell off during it's suicide attempt. Now I looked at the list of edible flowers, and orchids weren't on it, however I'm wondering if this is because they're poisoness or because no one has tried it before. Does anyone happen to know the answer to this? Should I offer it and go on the belief that they're smart enough to know what's good for them or not or should I just toss them in the trash?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:14 pm

It would be because no one's tried it and nobody's yet asked me to research it.

I found that orchids have no mammalian toxicity and that insects like to eat them. So it's safe enough for a feeding trial.

But if you just bought it, you don't know what it's been fed or what pesticides may have been used on it. So you won't want to give any to your crabs for at least two months, while you feed it with an organic fertilizer. That should give any residues in the plant time to break down.

Let me know how it goes. If, eventually, you feed it and they eat it, I'd like to know so I can put it on the edible list.

NaRnAR · Post by **NaRnAR** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:09 pm

Ive often wondered that, I have 2 orchid plants...they are just now, after a year, feeling comfortable and settled in their new home that they are growing leaves and one has grown stalks to bloom on *excited*

I have then in the Orchid Mix tho, so I wont be giving the hermies any....I think they have been in the same mix for a little over ayear tho...do you think the ferts have broken down Julia???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:18 pm

After a year? I should think so unless it was phosphorus heavy. And you have no way of knowing that. I think yours should be fine.

I have seen edible orchids at the grocery on occasion, but they want $50 for 100. I'm not buying 100 of anything, not even for my crabs!

(well, maybe shells...)

NaRnAR · Post by **NaRnAR** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:31 am

Thanks Kerie, Ill go read the package. Im thinking its the Miracle Grow Orchid Mix but Im not sure.

I spent $20 on both mine...got 'em at Target hehe!

Mlizgr, just be patient with the orchid. If you re-pot it now (if it needs it..they like cramped spaces) it should be blooming in about ayear. They are very picky and easily stressed with a new pot and new home...kind of like crabs

I thought my first one had died..so pretty when I got it, within weeks it was dropping its huge leaves and the flowers were dying...it looked like crud until about 4 months ago, which would be about ayear after I got it...now its growing! Just keep watering it and giving it light.

Someday I want to put on in the hermie tank..that would be cool...that is if the crabs like them and are crabby approved.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:36 pm

Well, I had to repot it since it was just in a light plastic thing that blew over too easily, but the pot it's in now isn't much bigger than that was. Hopefully it does alright, because it really is a beautiful plant.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 10:38 pm

Well, it's been a bit over two months and the plant is thriving and still has flowers, so today I clipped one off and put it in the crab's tank with dinner. If it's torn up tomorrow, like I expect it to be, then they apparently approve. Either way I'll let you know.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:50 am

Excellent! I'll look forward to your results.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:28 pm

Well, they knocked it over and burried it, but haven't eaten it. It's still in good condition, so I'm going to leave it in for another night to see if this is just them not wanting to touch new foods or not, but it's not looking good.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:57 pm

With flowers, many times, they are not interested in them until they've started to wither and decay. If it doesn't get moldy, leave it for up to a week. If they still haven't tried it in that time, I"ll put it on the inedible list as a tentative "needs more study" kind of thing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 9:48 pm

Alrighty. I'll keep you posted on what they're up to with the thing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:00 pm

Well, I'm sorry to say it, but it doesn't look like they're going to eat it. I took it out this morning and while it looks nothing like it did when I put it in it's still in one piece.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:34 pm

OK, I'll have someone else give it a go in case your crabs weren't just interested, and if I get the same result, it'll go on the Inedible list.

Thanks for trying!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:13 pm

Yup. Hope they have better results than I did.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:19 pm

No problem at all. It's fine if we get a negative result because then we know not to bother. It's how I ruled out Stargazer lillies.