BLC Greenwich "Elmhurst" - size? - Orchid Board

boytjie · #1 07-22-2008, 04:29 PM

Good afternoon, all. I recently snagged a BLC Greenwich Elmhurst for 10 bucks at Lowe's. Any idea how big this particular hybrid gets, from any growers here who have one? I'm now wondering about this one, particularly as it's green, which I assume means it has Brassavola Digbyana somewhere in its past. Am I going to need a new growing bench for it?

Ross · #2 07-22-2008, 04:53 PM

Don't know a thing about this hybrid, but a general rule of thumb is only repot up one size as the plant grows (I know, that's not what you asked!) My next point, though, is, once the plant gets too big for your space, divide it. I currently have a couple in 9" waterlilie baskets with bark and they are pushing the edges. Time to divide. If you don't have space then give one away. My final point is: ultimate size may not matter if you like the flower and the plant. Just my 2 cents.

1greenearth · #3 07-22-2008, 05:10 PM

Yes, there is Digbyana in its progeny, however, most of the green color is being imparted by C. Granulosa. and directly by Sc. Ann Folis ( x Blc. (Rsc.) Lester McDonald) As far as the plant size is concerned 10-24" is about the max. Ross gave great advice giving a division when the plant becomes 'too large' is a great gesture!

Roly0217 · #4 07-22-2008, 08:03 PM

Boytjie and

to the OB !!! Just like everyone else said. If it gets too big just go ahaed and divide it. It can make someone happy and your plant won't be soo big. Enjoy your plant !!!!

jim blanford · #5 07-22-2008, 08:57 PM

Here's what mine looked like last year, I don't have the specks on size but it's a good size flower on a nice size plant.

Spider · #6 01-11-2009, 10:50 AM

Nice photo Jim. I also have a few bulbs (7) of this plant. The bulbs with leaves are 25 cm. It growes tightly and nicely. I have had it a few months now and nothing has happende with it. It was and is planted in Epiweb and cocofiber, and I guess I have to water it a lot, every third day now, in the middle of winter. But I think I have to repot it.
I love the color and I have a few other orchid with this color that hasn´t flowered as yet. It would be lovely if they would flower at the same time. The other plants are Phal. stobartiana and Bifrenaria inodora

pixieStar · #7 09-11-2009, 09:23 PM

Hi. I also have a BLC Greenwich but I think it could be doing better. Does anyone have any tips for me about its culture? I was giving too much sun and crisped the edges of the leaves and a new growth. Now it is doing better closer to my phals but the newest leaf is bent over. Another new growth on the way but I was hoping I could coax it into producing a bloom. Any advice from someone who has had success with this guy would be great.

Thanks.

1greenearth · #8 09-12-2009, 09:52 AM

Are you absolutely certain it was recieving too much light? Consider that typically Cattleya alliance plants can take nearly full sun (except a few types) if slowly acclimated to light, at our nursery we grow mostly vandas and catts and we have many hybrids growing in full sun on our sable palms, and also an oak tree trunk-stump. The clue that makes me want to ask about the sun issue is when you mention the leaf wilting over, the reason for this is most often not enough light. one of the keys to cattleyas is consistency, a consistent environment. it is less than ideal to be often moving the plant around. Consider this: when applying fertilizer, the fertilizer that i apply today, will not be fully realized by the plant for several weeks or months. Similarly, light is recieved and used by a plant. too quickly moving it into higher light could scorch a leaf, whereas gradual increase in light is commendable. Growing a Cattleya in the same (shadier) evirnment as a Phaleanopsis will never coax a bloom, as Catts NEED brighter light. some books will tell you 2500 footcandles of light is sufficient; we grow ours in 5,000-8,000 footcandles, and the foliage is a nice dark lime green, and the blooms are much nicer! hope this helps.
Tom
Green Earth Nursery

silken · #9 04-04-2010, 11:24 PM

I have a Blc. Greenwich 'Elmhurst' and I think they do need less light than most catt's. I read that somewhere before and I have managed to sunburn mine by keeping it with the other catts. The leaves have way too much dark red in them and it is struggling and has never bloomed. I have now moved it to an area with lower light. It gets lots of indirect daylight and I do keep my Phals there. It has to make a come back from the bad treatment I gave it so can't say that it will bloom here yet. I just hope it will recover first, but I do know it was getting too much light where I had it.