Growing LC. Golden Sparkle 'Pokai'

[Nancy]

I was wondering if anyone would help grow this plant. I was given this little minicatt last year and it has not grown at all. No roots, nothing. The PBs are still plump and the one leaf on it is not dessicted so it has some active roots. These are very short and sort of a brown color. I have grown this plant cool, warm, in bright light, in less light, wetter, drier, I'm basically lost. I've tried to find some information on it and to find out about the species in its makeup but haven't had any luck. It is now mounted horizontally on a piece of cholla log. No change. I would really appreciate it if someone could just find out something about this little guy. I really want to do right by him. Thank God for this forum. I've learned so much. Hope to hear from someone soon.

[patticake]

Hi Nancy! I haven't grown this one, but I have a couple of mini-Catts. One just sat there for weeks! ( Lc Mini Purple var. coerulea 'Sato") I re-potted it, I changed it's light, I changed the temp it was in, I changed the potting mix again!!- It didn't die, ... it just sat there, while all my other plants shot out new leaves, and juicy new roots! When I was just about to change it's container, I picked up the pot and noticed a great new growth popping up from behind the old growth! Nice fat roots, too! Be patient! If it still looks healthy, give it a chance. It will come around!

[Nancy]

Do you know if there is a source where I can look up the parentage of this hybrid? That might help. I am getting better vibes from it as it sits in its cholla log. I'd give anything to see a root, though. I'll continue to be patient, or try, anyway. Thanks for the support.

[kmarch]

The genus (in your case the part of the name that is Lc.) is incorrect. The correct genus for Golden Sparkle is Guarisophleya, so Guarisophleya Golden Sparkle.

The parents of Golden Sparkle are Sophrocattleya Flirtie and Guarianthe aurantiaca.

All orchid hybrids are registered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and they have an online database where you can search for name info on your orchid hybrids. You'll need to aquaint yourself with a few orchid terms like "grex" which is the hybrid name, in your case Golden Sparkle.

Royal Horticultural Society - Plants: Registration of Orchids

[Nancy]

Thanks, K march. For some reason I haven't found an amenable atmosphere for Guarisopleyas but at least I have an idea of the make-up of the plant. I'll just keep trying different things with it. Any suggestions as to culture will be very much appreciated.

[kmarch]

I would think that typical mini-catt culture should suffice. Check out the cattleya culture sheet on this forum or at AOS | Home. Give it a read andlet us know if you have any questions.

Cheers,

[Nancy]

I think what I'm going to do with it now is to put it in the intensive care bag(spag and bag). Given that it is a Gurisophleya it may have been underwatered at times and overwatered at others. I think it could use a break from my fretting over it. These plants grow like weeds in the greenhouse where it was purchased. I don't think it likes its current accomodations. The growths appear to be drying up. One last desperate measure. Wish me luck.

[kmarch]

Is it rootless? The sphag-n-bag treatment is usually given for rootless orchids.

[Nancy]

The little plant has a few short stubs. They are firm but a brown color. The plant started to grow a new root from one of the stumps but it dried up. I'm really at a loss at how to proceed with this plant now. Its shriveling up and not growing anymore roots. Any suggestions would really be helpful. Thanks for keeping up with this.

[11Orchid126]

I have found that my mini cattleyas need water a bit more often.

[Hummer344]

I have had orchids that just sorta sat there and did nothing for a long period of time. My usual cure is to check the roots (AGAIN), if the roots are ok I let it sit awhile longer. If there is still no action I pet it, sing to it,(that usually will kill anything), play different music for it, pray to the orchid gods, kick it a few times, swear at it, and IF ALL ELSE FAILS, I throw the damm thing out. LOL

[Nancy]

It's not costing anything just to leave the little guy in the intensive care bag. The leaves are still green and only slightly wrinkled now so I think it is making progress. I took the plant as a challenge. The greenhouse owner was prepared to sell me a healthy one for $5.00 or give me the puny one. I guess I just wanted to prove something to myself. I'm not exactly sure at the moment just what that is. I'll keep you updated if anything exciting happens.