Neobenthamia Gracilis challenges

[Fredmax]

Has anyone else had troubles growing this? I'm now watching my third attempt at growing it slowly yellow one leaf at a time.

My climate is similar to California/Mediterranean with low humidity & 5c-35c, I understand this plant prefers high sun but can only assume the rapid leaf yellowing is a result of insufficient humidity and not light related, I'm keeping it on the moist side though may try letting it dry out in case that's it. My first plant made it through most of winter so assume it can handle lowish temperatures ok?

I've heard this was easy to grow for many, if anyone knows the secret please share . My plant will appreciate it.

[DirtyCoconuts]

it does not grow very fast

it grow at the same speed as the bamboo orchids i have

i grow it in a mix of peat, perlite (fine) and charcoal chunks....it gets rain and i water it to soaking in the mornings when i water my non-orchids which is about two times a week or so

mine gets full moringn sun to about noon and then bright shade - it is under an eave

i have much higher humidity than you but similar sun intensity i think

[Roberta]

I tried growing in my greenhouse for several years, it became long and leggy (probably not enough light), only one or two years blooming. I learned from a friend (who is a superb outdoor grower...) that it grew for him outside just fine. (Similar coastal southern California climate) I moved it out last summer, it went through winter and is putting out new growth from the base, looking much better. So I conclude that it is fine with cool winter nights. My humidity is not horrid - daytime typically around 40-50% at mid-day, but sometimes it goes down to single digits. I think patience...

[Fredmax]

Thanks for the advice, actually I'd be happy if it stays put and not grow, but just not die. I've killed 2 in the past year and 1 week into receiving my latest plant it's lost 3 leaves and declining.
I'm trying to isoate what it specifically rejects in my conditions, currently in Autumn so 15-21c days 60% humidity, average sun.

Air movement - I've taken it out of the greenhouse to maximize air movement if this is the key.

Sunlight - I can't imagine slightly less sun will start to kill an Orchid in a week so hoping this isn't it.

Temperature - Unless it's hyper sensitive to cold current temps shouldn't impact it, I hear contrasting views on its minimum requirement but if growing outdoors in California is possible then it can't be too fussy.

Humidity - That leaves me with this, we have down to 15% humidity in Summer so have tried to compensate by putting it in the g/h with 80% rh but the yellowing still occurred.

I must mention the plants tend to come (and thrive) from Qld with Floridaesque weather to my dry climate so again assume I need to create a tropical environment to keep it alive, or at least during the acclimatization phase.

I am determined to make this plant survive, thanks again.

[Roberta]

One consideration if you are getting plants from a warmer climate... you may have to pamper them through the winter. Spring is the ideal time to get things acclimated... early enough that the light is gentle, night temperatures are starting to rise. Then they go through summer and fall, by the following winter they are tough. (When I get things in the winter that have been greenhouse-grown, I usually put them in the GH until about now, nights are staying safely above 50 deg F, 10 deg C. ) I don't worry so much about humidity - if it is dry, just water more often.

[Dollythehun]

I received a post from Carter and Holmes just last night. They were offering divisions of this and had some cultural instructions included in the description. You might want to check out their website.

[Fredmax]

Thanks for the tips, I checked their site and will try to comply to their technique.

However the speed that it declines on me leads me to think that it just won't survive outside the tropics.
I've tried to provide humidity 60-80%, temps 14-27c, moderate air movement, diffused sunshine, r/o water, yet in 3 weeks of owning my latest plant 3 dead leaves and two are turning yellow. When plants die at that rate it motivates me to understand what it specifically rejects, but on the 3rd one I think I may just need to let them live happily elsewhere.



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I can't seem to post an image but this is a pic of the plant Imgur: The magic of the Internet

[DirtyCoconuts]

maybe it is upset about the shock...?
i have had some plants that i needed to really baby for a while, some years, for them to adjust to living here.

where did you acquire this from again? very different climate?

[Fredmax]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

maybe it is upset about the shock...?
i have had some plants that i needed to really baby for a while, some years, for them to adjust to living here.

where did you acquire this from again? very different climate?

Yes I think that is it, I'm getting them from Qld to Sth Aus which would be similar to getting from Florida to North California (I think).

I have the same issue with soft cane dendrobiums from the same seller, they theoretically tolerate cold but get yellow leaves and drop almost the instant I receive them, then have to hope for the next season's shoots.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Happens a lot. I’m glad it’s that because you should have a boss plant after a season of acclimatizing