Gongora Chocoensis 'Columbia' Water/Humidity Question

[estación seca]

Using a skewer on this plant is not the approach I would take during the growing season. It wants to stay as wet as it can in big, chunky bark. Looking at the initial photos, whoever cared for it before you didn't water it nearly enough. I would not let a plant in this group of orchids get even near dry if I could help it.

In large, chunky bark like that, even in your high humidity, I would water this plant every day, with an occasional lapse to every second day without kicking myself. If I let it go to three days without water I would probably administer discipline to myself. Maybe a spray bottle, and maybe the cattle prod.

New growths developing on a dehydrated Gongora may be much smaller than usual, and flower spikes or growths may dry up and die. Why risk it when there is no danger in watering a plant in large-chunk bark every day?

[Brenda Aarts]

Agree with the others who are saying more water. The new growth is wrinkled and likely stuck together a bit...a result of plant being too dry. I would also consider when you're repotting to look at a finer mix. Most gongoras that I grow have finer roots and the big chunky bark as you have described to me is not appropriate. I use a mixture of fine bark...some chunky, perlite,mcclay pellets...some styro...top 1/2 with New Zealand spag. Works for me. Happy growing!!

[Regelian]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Using a skewer on this plant is not the approach I would take.

I would probably administer discipline to myself. Maybe a spray bottle, and maybe the cattle prod.

Definitly the cattle prod. proven effective. Maybe ask a loved one to help you out, here

cheers, M8, and

Jamie