Mounting a plant to encourage bloom

[Nancy]

I have a minicatt that doesn't seem to want to bloom. Growth after growth appears and all look quite healthy. The plant is Guarisophleya Red Delight. It contains quite a bit of Sophronitis. Do you think it would be happier mounted and watered once a day? The nightime temperature where the plant is runs about 55 at night and the light is about medium. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Leisurely]

Sounds like all the conditions are right. When all else fails, increased light will often solve the issue. I currently have Slc. Bright Angel, which is Slc Precious Stones x S coccinea, hanging with my vandas. It has been in that location since initiating new growth. It seems to have done the job because I have one new growth with sheath and buds showing through. I won't be able to leave the plant in that location through summer though because it will be much too hot.

[jerrymeola]

I am a big fan of mounted orchids but find that mounting will often delay flowering for the first time after mounting.

Increased light is you best course.

[patlee]

Jerry, I planned on mounting five orchids this weekend. Three of them are tolumnia, the forth is the Naples Night. The last thing was my Neo. I've seen pictures of good results with Neos.,but was wondering if you have any first hand experience with hanging these little gems I don't really like the blooms as much as I do the plant, so I'm not too worried about delayed blooms

BTW, this is my first experience with mounting--wish me luck!!

[patticake]

Nancy, I think it just needs more light. Catts like a lot of light!

Patlee- good luck with the mounts! I can't wait to see pics!

[Nancy]

The growths on this plant are a dark red. I've had other SLC's bloom with no problem. I was thinking maybe I would divide the plant and put half on a mount and leave the other half potted where it is. It's a very prolific grower. It grows three new growths at a time and this is the plants second set of new growths. I will try giving it even more light, though. I was holding back because of all the Sophronitis in it. A lot of the Sophro is made up of renamed Brazilian Lailias. It really has a complicated background. I'll keep you posted on any changes made. Thanks for the input.

[kmarch]

If the leaves are darkish-redish, then the light is probably good. I suspect the plant is simply not mature enough. Maybe you oculd post a picture so we could see the plant? That would help determine if it is mature enough. I wouldnt' divide the plant. Dividing the plant may also delay flowering.

[Nancy]

My little plant was purchased with one spent bloom. It is a very small plant because it has 44% Sopronitis coccinia in its background. I don't know if I should water it more, or less, fertilize it more or less. The participant species in its basckground probably make it so hard to flower. I guess I'll just keep trying different things. Thanks for the replies.

[jerrymeola]

Tolumnia take the mounting easily, probably because they like to dry out more than most.

The biggest problem with mounting is to maintain the same water as the plant got before. Since I do not think this is possible you have to wait until the plant adapts and changes its use of water to what is available.

The Naples nights I mounted does not appear to be doing anything, while 3 of ten in pots spiked. Then too there were 7 in spike when I got the tray and 2 of these dropped the buds probably due to drying out too much. For a while daily watering was not enough.

If you are not worried about blooms the neo should not give you any problems.

Part of the flowering delay is that the plant can grow roots everywhere and there is no pot to make it pot bound. Eventually it says enough and flowers.

[Nancy]

I was thinking of mounting the plant because I've read that Sophronitis does well on a raft type mount. Letting it become pot bound makes sense. I think it is probably a fall bloomer anyway because that's the season during which it was purchased and I saw the spent blossom. As always, thanks for the insights, everyone.