Friday, February 23, 2018

(Orchidaceae) Orchids in Florida at Crazy Critters Inc.



Orchids are exotic and beautiful. With thousands of species and as many hybrids, orchids are popular with homeowners and can be an obsession for the serious collector. Contrary to popular belief, they’re not difficult to grow.
Many orchids thrive in Florida’s heat and humidity and can do well in the home and around the yard.
Most orchids are epiphytes and they need special media in which to grow. Some of the most common ingredients in commercially available orchid mixes are chopped tree fern fiber, chopped fir tree bark, osmunda fiber, charcoal, and volcanic rock. These materials all help to create the loose, well-drained environment that orchids crave. For the most part, orchids need to be repotted every few years. Many can be divided into smaller plants at this time. Orchids typically prefer at least partial shade or filtered sunlight and should be protected from cold temperatures.
Orchids, Succulents, Cactus and Tropical Plants are all living organisms that interact with the body, mind, and home in ways that enhance the quality of life.

Temperature and Light:

Bright, indirect light is ideal for most orchid plant care. Southern and eastern exposure is optimal, as well as shady western light. Consequently, never place your Phalaenopsis orchid in full sun.
The foliage is always the best indicator of what your plant needs. Ideally, you want to see firm, light to medium green leaves. Limp, dark green leaves indicate that your orchid is not being exposed to enough light. On the other hand, too much light exposure will produce an excess of dark reddish pigmentation. You’ll want to remedy this quickly, as it can result in your Phalaenopsis producing fewer and even smaller blooms. Another way to tell if your plant is getting the optimal amount of light is seeing a very slight reddish hue near the base of the leaves. This lets you know that no more light is necessary!

 Watering:

One thing every orchid plant owner should understand is that, in its natural setting, most orchid attaches its roots to tree bark, and they are exposed. When exposed to frequent rainfall, the roots thoroughly absorb water and then dry out before they are watered again.
 When grown in a pot, it is easy to overwater an orchid plant, without having this knowledge, Of course, this can result in the roots rotting, causing the plant to wilt or die. A certain balance must be kept when watering your orchid. Most of all, you want to allow the roots to dry out a bit between watering; however, you never want the roots to be bone dry. Ideally, you should water the plant thoroughly early in the day.  Because as with all orchid plants you want the leaves to be dry by the evening. Much as, you never want to allow standing water on the soil, where the leaves emerge. Much as, filtered tap water is ideal, and should be cool or room temperature when administered (never cold)… think of rainwater!
 Most of all, water your plant with a gentle stream or spray and allow the pot to drain.
Furthermore, excess water should drain from the bottom of the plant’s pot, making sure the roots are wet, and to flush excess salt from the soil. Most noteworthy is the frequency of watering depends upon the light and temperature conditions. In warm, dry conditions, water every few days. Further, during cooler times of the year, since the roots will remain moist for a bit longer, go a little longer between watering.

 Humidity:

Most orchid plants come from tropical environments of 50-90% humidity. Therefore, dry air is definitely not ideal when caring for your orchid. Consequently, it may be the most challenging factor to control indoors, especially during winter, when heaters are run, and the air is generally very dry.

Microfoggers and humidifiers are a simple solution if you keep your plant in an enclosed area.

If you keep your orchid plant on a windowsill or larger room, you can try grouping plants together. As a result, they will develop their own microclimate.
While using humidity grow trays to collect excess water from watering your plants.  In addition, place your orchid pot in a shallow tray or saucer filled with pebbles and water. Furthermore, be sure to place the pot on the pebbles and not in the water, since orchids do not prefer wet roots.
Especially relevant air circulation is also an important factor to consider.  While Phalaenopsis orchids grow higher up off the ground, on trees, where there is constant air flow. Opposite there are many orchids that grow on the ground in deep jungles.

Whether you are human or animal, there are so many benefits to living around plants.

Here’s a list from the American Orchid Society that gives a general outline growing requirements for orchids that do well outside in Florida:
    • Cattleya Alliance Hybrid is the showy corsage variety, especially Laelia anceps, and requires half sun. It’s temperature-tolerant.
    • * Phalaenopsis is great for beginners and does well in full shade.
    • * Dendrobiums: The Indian and Australian types are best, requiring half sun. They are temperature tolerant.
    • * Vanda flowers in summer months and takes a lot of suns.
    • * Epidendrums, especially the brilliant reed-stem types, do fine in South Florida. They need almost full sun but are temperature tolerant.
    • * Oncidiums: Choose the Mexican species, or higher-elevation types, with light requirements of bright shade to half sun.
    • * Paphiopedilums are slippered orchids and fare best in shaded gardens.
    • * Spathoglottis have broad, palm-like leaves and spikes of purple and yellow flowers. Grow them in shade to half sun.


    • We Adopt ~ Breed ~ Rescue ~ Transport  ~ Rehabilitate
      Crazy Critters Inc. is a Private Non-Profit, 501(c)3, Exotic Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Our Wildlife Facility is located in Eustis, Florida. We provide permanent homes to over 200 animals including lizards, turtles, skinks, geckos, birds, and assorted wildlife. Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home.
      Mostly Tortoises and Turtles call Crazy Critters Inc. home. What makes us unique is that after adoption, Crazy Critters Inc. continues to share the lives of the pets on social media. Providing an additional continued connection. When an animal finds its way to Crazy Critters, it has found a forever home.
      Everyone in our community benefits when donors put their funds together to help protect animals and our environment. And the fact that the animals can call this a forever home makes it that much better. Your monetary donations help provide veterinary care, food, and supplies to the animals in our care.
      In keeping with our commitment to a quality life for the animals here at the sanctuary, we provide a diet created specifically for each animal’s needs, the best veterinary care, enrichment programs for the animals, and maintain their spacious, safe habitats.
      Click DONATE to make a safe Paypal Transaction, of any amount. Every single dollar adds up! We will contact you by email to see how you would like your sponsorship recognized. We appreciate our community! We are always looking for corporate sponsors who believe in a mission such as ours


      REMEMBER: All donations are tax-deductible!

      We Grow Crazy Plants To Care For Crazy Critters!

      Feel free to contact us with questions requests and comments.
      Follow us on our journey as we build our Herp Haven called Crazy Critters!
      Website
      Facebook 
      Instagram 
      YouTube
      GoFundMe
      We even have a blog!

      Please like, share, follow and subscribe.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

We watch television with our animals… And they learn so much!



Our animals hang out with us all the time. They love animal education television shows. Here in this video, they are watching Viper Keeper. We love that this dragon pays attention when Viper Keeper talks about UVB lights.

We Adopt ~ Breed ~ Rescue ~ Transport  ~ Rehabilitate
Crazy Critters Inc. is a Private Non-Profit, 501(c)3, Exotic Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Our Wildlife Facility is located in Eustis, Florida. We provide permanent homes to over 200 animals including lizards, turtles, skinks, geckos, birds, and assorted wildlife. Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home.
Mostly Tortoises and Turtles call Crazy Critters Inc. home. What makes us unique is that after adoption, Crazy Critters Inc. continues to share the lives of the pets on social media. Providing an additional continued connection. When an animal finds its way to Crazy Critters, it has found a forever home.
Everyone in our community benefits when donors put their funds together to help protect animals and our environment. And the fact that the animals can call this a forever home makes it that much better. Your monetary donations help provide veterinary care, food, and supplies to the animals in our care.
In keeping with our commitment to a quality life for the animals here at the sanctuary, we provide a diet created specifically for each animal’s needs, the best veterinary care, enrichment programs for the animals, and maintain their spacious, safe habitats.
Click DONATE to make a safe Paypal Transaction, of any amount. Every single dollar adds up! We will contact you by email to see how you would like your sponsorship recognized. We appreciate our community! We are always looking for corporate sponsors who believe in a mission such as ours


REMEMBER: All donations are tax-deductible!

We Grow Crazy Plants To Care For Crazy Critters!

Feel free to contact us with questions requests and comments.
Follow us on our journey as we build our Herp Haven called Crazy Critters!
Website
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube
GoFundMe
We even have a blog!

Please like, share, follow and subscribe.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Spring Succulent Fundraiser at Crazy Critters Inc.



Succulents, Cactus and Tropical Plants are all living organisms that interact with the body, mind, and home in ways that enhance the quality of life. When you breathe, your body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This opposite pattern of gas use makes plants and people natural partners. Adding plants to interior spaces can increase oxygen levels
.At night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. A few plants – orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads – do just the opposite, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Place these plants in bedrooms to refresh air during the night.
As part of the photosynthetic and respiratory processes, plants release moisture vapor, which increases the humidity of the air around them.
Plants release roughly 97 percent of the water they take in. Place several plants together, and you can increase the humidity of a room, which helps keeps respiratory distresses at bay. Studies at the Agricultural University of Norway document that using plants in interior spaces decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs.
Perfect for the dish garden
Perfect for wedding arrangements
Perfect event and party favors
Perfect for the plant collector
Perfect for the terrarium
Perfect home decor
2″ Echeveria $1.50
2″ Succulents $1.50
3″ Echeveria $2.50
3″ Succulents $2.50
3″ Hawthoria $2.50
3″ Rosettes $2.50
Wax Plant $2.50
4″ Hoya $4.50
Uniques & Combos $3.50
4″ Succulents $3.50
Tropicals $3.50
4″ Echeveria $3.50
Lithops (Living Stones) $2.50
3″ Cactus $2.50
4″ Cactus $5
6″ Cactus $10
1 Gallon Prickly Pear $10
Orchids $8 – $17
String Of Pearl $20
Madagascar Palm $5.00
Crown Of Thrown $5.00
Cash Only.
$10 Min. Order.
We do not ship.
We can get high-quality plants in bulk qty.
Sorry, No Discounts for bulk orders.
Located in Eustis, Florida (Near Central Florida Bible Camp)
Proceeds go to Non-Profit 501(C)(3) Exotic Animal Sanctuary Crazy Critters Inc.
You can find us on most social media platforms.
We Adopt ~ Breed ~ Rescue ~ Transport  ~ Rehabilitate
Crazy Critters Inc. is a Private Non-Profit, 501(c)3, Exotic Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Our Wildlife Facility is located in Eustis, Florida. We provide permanent homes to over 200 animals including lizards, turtles, skinks, geckos, birds, and assorted wildlife. Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home.
Mostly Tortoises and Turtles call Crazy Critters Inc. home. What makes us unique is that after adoption, Crazy Critters Inc. continues to share the lives of the pets on social media. Providing an additional continued connection. When an animal finds its way to Crazy Critters, it has found a forever home.
Everyone in our community benefits when donors put their funds together to help protect animals and our environment. And the fact that the animals can call this a forever home makes it that much better. Your monetary donations help provide veterinary care, food, and supplies to the animals in our care.
In keeping with our commitment to a quality life for the animals here at the sanctuary, we provide a diet created specifically for each animal’s needs, the best veterinary care, enrichment programs for the animals, and maintain their spacious, safe habitats.
Click DONATE to make a safe Paypal Transaction, of any amount. Every single dollar adds up! We will contact you by email to see how you would like your sponsorship recognized. We appreciate our community! We are always looking for corporate sponsors who believe in a mission such as ours


REMEMBER: All donations are tax-deductible!


We Grow Crazy Plants To Care For Crazy Critters!

Feel free to contact us with questions requests and comments.
Follow us on our journey as we build our Herp Haven called Crazy Critters!
Website
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube
GoFundMe
We even have a blog!

Please like, share, follow and subscribe.