rePotme Orchid Supplies Newsletter

Newsletter from rePotme.com August 2008

We are making some big changes in shipping to better serve you!

FedEx is now our shipping partner of choice and we have negotiated new lower rates that we are passing on to all of our valued customers. Even as fuel costs have increased, so has our volume of orders which helps us to lower costs. You will see these changes begin immediately. One of the things we think you will also appreciate is Saturday Home Delivery which we are now using for orders within the United States. This means that a package that might otherwise arrive on a Monday, will now be eligible for Saturday delivery. This effectively reduces the "weekend wait" by increasing potential delivery days from 5 per week to 6. We know how great it would be to get that order on the weekend rather than after the weekend and now you can from rePotme.

Our focus on providing the fastest shipment and delivery of any Orchid Supply Company is even stronger today. We deliver the finest and most comprehensive choices of quality mixes and supplies, practical free advice and examples, fastest high quality delivery, first class customer service, same day shipping and lower shipping costs --- why settle for anything else?

rePotme Delivers the Goods! Now with FedEx Home Delivery

PH TESTING --- Who Cares?

One of the most significant factors affecting your orchid growing success is knowing and controlling the PH of the media your plants are in. Surprisingly, many of us don't know this critical data which is so easy to find out and adjust.

rePotme now has a PH Test Strip Kit for orchid growers! The Kit is unique because it identifies a narrow PH range that Orchids grow best in and by displaying this narrower range, it is easy to read. Our PH Test Strip Kit is very reasonably priced at just $8.85 and is an essential tool we should all have available to use regularly.

August Orchid Care

To Do Now:

It's hot in August and some orchid genera are not happy with the heat, especially those like Masdevallias, Odontoglossums and many Paphiopedilums. We choose to bring in these plants to Summer inside during the hot spells. Touching the leaves of orchids during the heat of the day can give a good indication of whether the temps are too much. The best defense is abundant air movement. Orchids can take more heat when the air is moving well around them than they can if the air is still. Abundant air movement also helps dry out tender crowns where water tends to accumulate and where rot can settle in.
Have you ever noticed little fruit flies around the house and gone looking for the overripe banana in the kitchen and there isn't one? Could flies be coming from your plants? The answer is "Yes" and these critters are called "Fungus Gnats". They breed in moist potting media and can feed on roots. We have Gnatrol, the perfect solution for these troublesome creatures. Be sure to check out our Take Three Solutions offer which combines Gnatrol, FEED ME!, and GET OFF ME! in one easy-to-order spot with a nice discount.
This is our last month for fertilizing at the higher Summertime levels. Heat, water, light and food should all abundant in August. We recommend FEED ME! MSU Orchid Fertilizer for all year-round fertilizing.

Looking Ahead:

September is a time of change, it marks the end of Summer growth season and we begin to look forward to the Fall blooms. For those orchids that are sensitive to day length, we want to make sure they can notice the shortening days of Fall and not be tricked by indoor lighting. If orchids are under supplemental lighting, changing the timer frequently to match the shortening days allows orchids to experience the shortening days.
Many orchids will be coming indoors in the Fall and planning ahead can make this transition easier for all. We have a nice selection of Humidi-Grow black humidity trays for setting up nice indoor spaces for orchids returning inside. The newly available quad grate humidity tray is larger than any previously offered and allows ample space for several orchids.
In preparation for Fall repotting, take a look at our Classic Orchid Mixes and Imperial Orchid Mixes. You're sure to find just the right mix for your environment. If you'd like to make your own orchid mix, you can choose the media you want and we'll make up a custom Select-A-Blend mix just for you.

Free Orchid Repotting Clinics

Looking Back:

July is a time of active growth for most orchids and there are very few varieties that are in bloom. Abundant light and fertilizer help ensure good growth. As the temperatures heat up, increasing air circulation is essential to help orchids beat the heat.
Many Phalaenopsis start to lose their blooms in early Summer, learn about which stems to cut, and which to keep, in our Phalaenopsis Care page. Repot Phals when they go out of bloom. We have several good choices for the perfect mix for your plant. Our Phalaenopsis Classic Orchid Mix is a traditional long fiber sphagnum moss mix. Our Phalaenopsis Monterey Imperial Orchid Mix is a unique blend of Orchiata Bark, Cork and New Zealand Sphagnum. This mix brings with it the best of both worlds, the moisture of sphagnum and the chunky nature of bark. Orchiata bark, from the New Zealand Monterey Pine, is a long-lasting alternative to ordinary fir bark. Blended together with cork and long fibered New Zealand Sphagnum, this mix is perfect for moisture loving orchids. For a faster drying mix, our Phalaenopsis AAA Imperial Orchid Mix is a combination of fluffy New Zealand Sphagnum and cork chunks and is our preference for larger Phalaenopsis.
Mid Summer affords the opportunity to take some time to get organized. Our orchid label system uses colored labels to help keep an orchid collection organized.

We are delighted to be supporting the following orchid societies by donating Classic Orchid Mixes, FEED ME! MSU Fertilizer, and GET OFF ME! natural insect spray to their auctions:

Lincoln Nebraska Orchid Society
Virginia Orchid Society
OSSC (Orchid Society of Southern California)
NCOS (National Capital Orchid Society)
SOA (Slipper Orchid Alliance)
WNCOS (Western North Carolina Orchid Society)
COS (Connecticut Orchid Society)
MOS (Maryland Orchid Society)
HOTOS (Heart O' Texas Orchid Society)
BGOC (Brookside Gardens Orchid Club - Maryland)

We continue to support Orchid Societies and Organizations that also serve our customers. Please let us know if your Society has an upcoming event we might be able to support too.

If you know someone who would like to be included in our periodic newsletter please let us know at customer_service@repotme.com

If you would prefer not to receive our periodic newsletter, please let us know at customer_service@repotme.com

Feel free to pass this newsletter on to family and friends who may not yet have discovered us, we would be delighted to work with them too.

Look for us in the Orchid Source Directory and Orchids Magazine from the American Orchid Society. We accept orders by phone and on-line 7 days a week!

Looking Ahead:

Looking Back:

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