Persistance can pay off!

[syndywindy]

A year ago, I bought a Laelia Santa Barbara Sunset 'Showtime' from Oak Hill Gardens. It was a little bit more than a seedling when I bought it. I repotted it into S/H but after several months it hadn't done anything and the roots just didn't look happy and some had even rotted. I know there are some on the forum who have this orchid and if I recall, no one has gotten it to bloom. Well neither have I. But back in December I decided to give mounting a try and this orchid was one of two I mounted. I figured I had nothing to lose at this point. About a month ago, it started 4 new roots and 2 days ago I noticed this new growth. I know it's not a root, so I have to assume it's new growth. I'm not sure where a spike initiates on this orchid so not sure yet. But I guess I made the right decision in mounting it and sticking with it.

[katrina]

Yep...you've got a new growth there. CONGRATS!! It obviously prefers the mount. Good job!!

[rcb]

synda, it is me who has it, and still haven't managed to bloom it. Although I do have it potted, and it has no trouble growing. Just can't bloom the darn thing! And I've had it long enough to try every trick, full sun, dry winter, cold winter, warm winter, moist winter and so on. Thing will not bloom!

My next trick is to move it right beside the garbage can and see if that works.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by rcb

synda, it is me who has it, and still haven't managed to bloom it. Although I do have it potted, and it has no trouble growing. Just can't bloom the darn thing! And I've had it long enough to try every trick, full sun, dry winter, cold winter, warm winter, moist winter and so on. Thing will not bloom!

My next trick is to move it right beside the garbage can and see if that works.

I knew someone had it and hadn't been able to get it to bloom. You are too funny. lol Maybe the garbage can trick will work. I guess my excitement is premature. lol

[rcb]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

I guess my excitement is premature. lol

Synda, not necessarily - mine may just really really hate me. I'm hoping your does!

[Dendian]

Woo Hoo, looks like a new growth to me. I have two of these, they aint doin nutting (except the new growths they came with are getting larger ), but Ive only had them a short time. As I recall, the plant blooms from new growths, at the top of the pbulb, like "normal" orchids. So you do have a chance of blooms with that new growth.

I do remember a thread about somebody who was not able to get its parent, L. anceps, to bloom, and the recommendation from the nursery to him was to soak the plant in a bucket of rain water when watering, really soak it - like two hours . Then let it dry out completely again. He said that it did bloom for him after he started watering like this. If this is the way you water your mounts, Synda, it might be why it is happier.

[rcb]

Dian, good point, mine is due for a repot, I'll try mounting it.

Synda hope you dont mind me taking her advice as well

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by rcb

Dian, good point, mine is due for a repot, I'll try mounting it.

Synda hope you dont mind me taking her advice as well

Renee, we are all in this together. The pictures of the blooms I have seen for this are gorgeous. I'd really like to see one. We'll have to really celebrate if one of us can get one to bloom. As I said, I mounted it the very end of Dec. So it's only been a couple months and this has been the only action I have seen. Good luck!

[Dendian]

Renee, it is really Synda's advice to mount it, and it is on an open forum. I think advice may be shared by everybody who wants it. Thank you Synda for the idea, if mine don't do anything I will try mounting them too.

I was so fortunate to be able to see one in bloom at the Pacific Coast Orchid Exposition. They are really beautiful.

I do need to post those photos I took at the show. But here's the one of the Lc. Santa Barbara Sunset there, enjoy! (Now I go make thread for rest of pics...)

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Dendian

Renee, it is really Synda's advice to mount it, and it is on an open forum. I think advice may be shared by everybody who wants it. Thank you Synda for the idea, if mine don't do anything I will try mounting them too.

I was so fortunate to be able to see one in bloom at the Pacific Coast Orchid Exposition. They are really beautiful.

I do need to post those photos I took at the show. But here's the one of the Lc. Santa Barbara Sunset there, enjoy! (Now I go make thread for rest of pics...)

I wasn't really advising to mount it, but just saying since mounting, mine has responded nicely. Every time I see a photo of one in bloom, just makes me more determined to somehow get this one blooming. Thanks for the incentive.

[-k-]

Good growing there!
Looks like you and a few others have challenge on your hands!
Hope to see those blooms!

[rcb]

However the advice came, I'm following it lol

And then sticking it beside the garbage can - threats work on my kids, they should work on my chids right?

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by rcb

However the advice came, I'm following it lol

And then sticking it beside the garbage can - threats work on my kids, they should work on my chids right?

Threats only work when we follow through with them. Be sure to post the picture of your chid next to the can!

[rcb]

Synda, yes, and my kids can tell you I do follow through, which is why the threats work on them.

Got the mount prepared today - planning on depoting it tomorrow, and it has a few new roots starting on the newest lead, so perfect timing. will take it's glamour shot beside the can for you lol

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by rcb

Synda, yes, and my kids can tell you I do follow through, which is why the threats work on them.

Got the mount prepared today - planning on depoting it tomorrow, and it has a few new roots starting on the newest lead, so perfect timing. will take it's glamour shot beside the can for you lol

Ooh, you must be one tough lady! Can't wait to see the glam shot!

[tansyflower]

Ooooh, yummy!!! I just googled it.

Hope you guys have more luck with them in the future!

[lmartiny]

My next trick is to move it right beside the garbage can and see if that works.[/QUOTE]
Funny.
We did not follow through on our threats and thus, I think, additional teenager problems. Thankfully, that worked itself out in time.
Maybe your plant will get the message.
Others ship them off to new homes out of frustration. Hope your's will show it's gratitude for the TLC.

[trinigirl]

Wow, sounds like these guys are really stubborn. I am thinking I'd like to give this one a try. I will look for it at the HOS show next month, I am making my list.

[orchidlover55]

[lmartiny]

Trinigirl, you must like a challange. I've got some of that in me as well.

[syndywindy]

I agree. I don't like to give up easily. Somehow, someway this dang thing is going to bloom!

[rcb]

Synda - here ya go.

I ended up dividing it, I didn't like the way the whole plant was against the mount, and you can tell it was a quick one, the one plant is drooping - maybe I'll fix it.

But here's my plan - it's got one more year.

Our nights are past freeze, getting into low 50s, high 40s. It's staying outside, and will only get water when it rains. That should give it a real good wet/dry cycle. As I used nothing to retain water for the mount, it'll dry pretty quick. It's also going to get almost full sun. So basically tough love lol

Unfortunately, it can't stay on the trash can, it's too shaded, and I don't want to move the can into the sun - cause well it'll stink. but it can see the can from where it is lol

[syndywindy]

You are too too funny! But the mounts look good. Maybe your tough love will do the trick. Keeping my for you.

[lmartiny]

Nice backdrop for the photos. Funny.

[syndywindy]

Wow, I can't believe it. This morning I found another growth! For a year this orchid has done nothing, now I mount it and it's taking off. I hope maybe a bloom will come from these 2 new growths.

[rcb]

Good job!