D.loddigesii on cork slab and 10 day holiday

[bellina9]

Hello friends

So I recently acquired a D. loddigesii and I'm leaving in a few days for a 10 day vacation. What should I do with with my den until I return to keep it healthy?

Also, I think this is a keiki or small subdivision and I just received it shipped, so I need to be very careful with it.

thanks!

[kmarch]

Well it's not a keiki because Cattleyas don't keiki but it may well be a seedling. How big is it?

If kept in a humid environment I don't think you have much to worry about. Even if not, I think 10 days is probably ok.

[bellina9]

Its actully a Den loddigesii not a Cat loddigesii

I've read that it does require a "winter rest" and decreased water but then it says you shouldn't let it dry out too much.

thanks for replying!

Originally Posted by kmarch

Well it's not a keiki because Cattleyas don't keiki but it may well be a seedling. How big is it?

If kept in a humid environment I don't think you have much to worry about. Even if not, I think 10 days is probably ok.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Put a little damp moss into a zip-lock bag with the mounted Den and zip it up. Keep it in moderate to lowish light until you return.

[bellina9]

thanks for the reply

wont it mold in a zipped log baggy?

[Andrew]

Is it established on the mount? If so, give it a good drink before you go and it should be fine. If not tie a bit of moss over the roots as well and it still should be fine. While loddigesi does best with regular watering during the growing season I find it is quite tolerant of a week or two without water at any time of the year even when mounted.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Mold usually occurs because of fertilizer coating the plant or mount. Usually this can just be washed off when you return. As to rot, that usually wont occur unless the plant already has a problem going into the bag. To be safe, make sure the moss has been mostly wrung out before zipping up. If there is moss on the mount, use a paper towel to reduce the water in the moss if you have just watered before zipping up.

[kmarch]

Sorry, my bad. I should read more carefully.