Cyc. cooperi - Extreme edema

[Havoccity]

I don't keep Cycnoches and Mormodes, but I've read that both prefer to grow in rotting wood in situ. Could it help keep them alive better by potting them in the old rotten orchid bark from repotting other orchids?

Also Fred Clarke says that a little water every 3 weeks during dormancy helps keep Mormodes pseudobulbs from rotting. Perhaps this could work on Cycnoches too, given that the two are sister genera?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Havoccity

I don't keep Cycnoches and Mormodes, but I've read that both prefer to grow in rotting wood in situ. Could it help keep them alive better by potting them in the old rotten orchid bark from repotting other orchids?

You would not ever want to use bark that was used for another plant - that is a really good way to spread diseases and insect problems! Used bark needs to be composted for garden plants, or put in the garbage.

This is an interesting observation with regard to habitat, and might give an indication of characteristics that one might seek when choosing a medium, though.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Havoccity

I don't keep Cycnoches and Mormodes, but I've read that both prefer to grow in rotting wood in situ. Could it help keep them alive better by potting them in the old rotten orchid bark from repotting other orchids?

Also Fred Clarke says that a little water every 3 weeks during dormancy helps keep Mormodes pseudobulbs from rotting. Perhaps this could work on Cycnoches too, given that the two are sister genera?

As Roberta mentioned, the benefits of recycling old orchid media is outweighed by the downside. Instead, I use a cheaper, faster degrading and softer wood for my Catasetinae than the good stuff I use on Cattleyas.

You're right that Fred waters Mormodes every 3 weeks which is kind of a new thing for him, though I don't believe its transferrable to other genera. I did an interview with him recently where he talks about this and why he started doing that for his Mormodes.

Here's the video (skip ahead to 13 minutes for the Cycnoches/Mormodes discussion): https://youtu.be/UHtFmC9LRp8https://...be/UHtFmC9LRp8