Potting medium for rock Laelia/Sophronitis hybrid

[whygreenberg]

Hi, all...This has come up for me in the context of another thread, ( ordering a chid being established in sphagnum ), so thought I'd raise the question in a place where it might have a better chance...

I recently purchased the hybrid (Laelia milleri x L. cinnabarina) x Sophronitis cernua. As it is 50% rupicolous Laelia, I was wondering if people thought it would do well in granitic rock medium? My other rupicolous Laelias are potted this way and are doing great. But I'm wondering if the 50% Sophronitis parentage might call for a different medium.

Any thoughts, opinions, advice would be much welcomed.

[whygreenberg]

Any thoughts from Sophronitis growers?

[Weebl]

I have section Podolaelia that are in rock and love it, and assuming from heresay (as I have no direct experience growing Sophronitis) Sophronitis comes from similar habitat as Masdevallias which I've found love a medium grade CHC mix. If I were in your situation I would use rock like your rupiculous Laelias and water it a bit more.

[Ross]

Really, any Laelia will grow in a granite mix. I contend that the mix is merely for stability of the plant - a place for roots to take hold. We tend to grow lots of different genera in a different condition than found in nature. Why not try it? I'm sure it won't hurt.

[whygreenberg]

Thanks, Weebl & Ross both, for good points. The granite rock has worked really well for me so far, so you're right, why not give it a try. And Weebl – you tackled what I think was part of my concern...whether or not Sophronitis like more moisture at the roots than a purely rock mix would allow.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

Thanks, Weebl & Ross both, for good points. The granite rock has worked really well for me so far, so you're right, why not give it a try. And Weebl – you tackled what I think was part of my concern...whether or not Sophronitis like more moisture at the roots than a purely rock mix would allow.

Yvan, if they do just water more often. It's a win-win situation. Also, don't forget to fertilize.

[whygreenberg]

Yep...this sounds like a good plan to me. And of course fertilize, but not as often as the other chids.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

Yep...this sounds like a good plan to me. And of course fertilize, but not as often as the other chids.

I fertilize my briegeri the same as the others. Every watering.

[brooke]

Yvan since Soph. Cernua wants to be dry by nightfall, it should do well planted in the same mix used for a rupiculous Laelia.

Good luck, it should be an interesting cross.

Brooke

[whygreenberg]

Thanks, Brooke! That's good to know. I have not attempted to try my luck with Soph. species, and this is my first Soph. hybrid. I'm super excited about this one! Rupicolous Laelias are almost perhaps my all time favorite (so far!) and this hybrid looks fantastic! Here's the photo of it from Miranda Orchids website: