I'm back... with new 'chids

[Vivienne]

We've had some wild weather here lately. Sunday and Monday brought some rather nasty storms in... 8,000 lightning strikes in 1 hour. And one got my modem. errr. So now, with a new modem installed, I can ask about my new 'chids.

My freind has been having troubles with her own collection and we think it's the old coir mix she repotted everything in to. I've acquired 2 of her plants (the Mystery Paph and a Den. gouldii) that were struggling for her. I repotted them in to my bark mix and they have improved greatly (one is blooming and the Den has new growths and 2 spikes growing). She now calls me "Great Leader of the Pathetic and/or Semi-Dead Orchid Rescue". LOL

I have now acquired 3 more new to me orchids. I have read the culture sheets for all and would love to hear about any special growing notes you fine OrchidGeeks have.

#1 - Cycnoches pentadactylon (the tag says patadatylon) - there is a spike just starting to grow on the growth with the browning leaves. What is causing the browning? It's hard to see - on the growth on the left.

#2 - Lycaste Walnut Valley

#3 - Ascocenda Chaisiri

[Vivienne]

oops - forgot one that I bought at the Orchid Society meeting.

#4 - Dendrochilum bicallosum

[BillC]

Vivienne, I was intrigued by the Cycnoches pentadactylon, and I found this pic.( Courtesy Bergstrom Orchids ) and thought you may like to see the blooms. The penta part means ' five fingered ' and has been used to describe flowers with five petals.

Bill

[Vivienne]

Thanks Bill - isn't it the coolest!! I'm worried about this plant tho since the leaves are browning. Am giving it TLC and it has new medium. Hopefully I don't cause that spike to die off. Fingers crossed!

[BillC]

I'm sure it will flower beautifully for you, Vivienne. Everything you touch seems to turn to gold!!!

Bill

[Tobi]

Very nice Vivienne. I almost picked up a Dendrochilum bicallosum at my orchid
auction last fall but got outbid. I found a link for their culture tips including
bicallosum. Help it helps some. Please post a pic when they bloom.

www.sentinelorchids.com/dendrochilum.html

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You probably should not have repotted the Cycnoches, as these put on a lot of growth in a short time and any set back during growth is not good. I keep mine very well watered while growing, and maybe your bark is holding up the water the plant needs. The bark usually does not hold a lot of water when new, and the roots are no longer form fitting to the bark when repotted. I think I would consider stepping up the watering until the plant shows signs of going dormant. This browning may be the beginning of an early dormancy triggered by the repot. If the plant continues to change leaf color, and looks like it is going to lose leaves, then start to cut back on watering and stop completely when the leaves fall.

[Vivienne]

Cynthia - I wasn't happy to repot the Cyc but since we suspect that there is something wrong with the coir it was in, a repot was necessary. I'll up the watering of this plant until it goes dormant. I do not believe that is what is causing the browning of the leaves.

The plants that have been in the coir all seem to be 'poisoned' for lack of a better way of putting it. Once out of the coir (at least for the Den and Paph) the plants pick up right away. I'm hoping the same is true for the Cyc.

[NancyG]

Hi Vivienne,
#3 - Ascocenda Chaisiri
This plant might not like being in the ceramic pot. I've usually seen them in baskets with their roots hanging out without no or very little potting mix. Of course I live in Florida and that might be because our humidity is so high but it would be interesting to see what others think.

Good luck with them all,

NancyG

[Vivienne]

Thanks Nancy. I was thinking the same thing but up here in Colorado... we're not sure what humidity is. I'm hoping with the slotted pot and loose bark media it will be a good balance.

[jerrymeola]

Cycnoches are deciduous plants that usually start to brown and lose their leaves as they flower. I have had many lose all there leaves before the flowers opened.

They are really able to take horrible potting mix. They are great plants.

[Vivienne]

Thanks Jerry - perhaps it is just browning in it's normal cycle and this time the coir isn't to blame. The spike is continuing to grow nicely (and noticeably).

[tizzycat]

Good luck Vivienne - I'm rooting for you.

[arleneg]

Vivienne,

Since Cynthia and Jerry already covered the Cyc., I'll give some tips on the Ascocenda. Loose/coarse/well draining potting mix is ideal if Ascda. is in a pot. That type of mix also helps increase humidity. Make sure your Ascda gets bright light (2500 fc or more; a few hours of morning sun is good) and warm temp. Fertilize while it's in its growing period, that is now. Water thoroughly and when dry; mist aerial roots often. Ascdas are vandaceous -- likes water.

If you want to transfer to a basket, loosely place a small amount of long sphag on top of roots in the basket.

How's your Comp. speciosa? Spiking, yet?

[Vivienne]

Thanks Arlene. I think I have the Ascda in a good place... master bathroom under the skylight along with my cattleyas.

No spike on my Comparettia yet but it's getting close to that point. Can't wait! Is yours spiking already?

[arleneg]

Vivienne,

My Comparettia isn't doing anything. I moved it to a different spot last week. I hope it's getting more light at its new spot.

By the way, my Cyc. Wine Delight's leaves are turning yellow/brown at the tips. But it's in spike. I can hardly wait for it to bloom.

[Vivienne]

Arlene - please post a pic of your cyc when it blooms. How long is the spike? The spike on my Cyc is only about an inch long.

[arleneg]

Vivienne,

Will do that. Please post yours, too.

The spike on mine is about an inch long, too!