Stubborn C. gigas

[Oscarman]

Some time ago (sept) I purchased C. gigas from Ecuagenera when they were visiting our society. The plant was a 3 bulb division and bare root. It has done nothing since then, despite my best efforts to entice some growth. Literally nothing - no shriveling, wilting, yellowing of leaves, but most agrivating....no growth!

Two weeks ago, I placed it in a fish tank with other unhappy plants with a ball of NZ moss around the root area. Within a day it started to get fuzzy with mold. After 2 treatments with Physan 20, the mold stopped.

A couple of days ago, I went to check the moisture of the moss an what do I find.....serious root growth with green tips everywhere!

Was this spurt of growth a seasonal response and it had been resting until then, or was it the moss and higher humidity/warmer environment?

[nyorchids]

i think your change in conditions had alot to do with it. unless your physan20 was really root hormone

[Phantasm]

I agree the climate change was the largest reason for the plant pouting. These plants come from areas close to the equator that have bright light and year round cycles of light that are much more even than in Canada.
Your plant is probably responding to an increase in light and warmth. Those long dark winters don't help much!

[Tindomul]

Your treatment probably made it think it was time to grow again, and never realized that mold was attacking it.

[Paphman910]

Cattleya warscewcizii is a very tricky species to grow. The variety Cattleya warscewczii semi alba 'Bedford' from Miranda Orchids is way easier to grow due to selective breeding. Roberto Agnes told me about this variety and he is right. Unfornatately I can't grow this species well because my conditions are too hot during the evenings. It likes high humidity and the medium show be almost dry until the new growth is at least 4 inches high with new root growth. Then it likes to be watered more and the medium show approach dryness before watering again during the growth cycle. After that the flowering should start.During the dormant season keep the medium dry but water it so the psuedobulb don't shirvel. Give the plant high light as for Cattleyas and there should should be a 10-15 F difference between day and night. I heard people in the piraries grow them outside in the summer in Ontario and they had no problems growing them.
The imported Cattleya warscewcizii has a very hard time establishing because it doesn't make new roots at anytime until the new growth matures and then the plant produces new roots.

Paphman910

[Oscarman]

Indeed many of us here on the Alberta prairies do move our cattleyas outside for the summer. There is a noticeable 'jump' in growth with larger bulbs, leaves and better flowering. The quality of light is certainly better and I think the day-night temp difference is conducive to better growing.

Thanks for the info.

[Oscarman]

After a period of Sphag 'n' Fishtank treatment, my plant has roots and is now pushing a new growth. I will be keeping it on the drier side until the growth has gotten larger - thanks for the advice Pahpman. Here are a couple of pics.

[Paphman910]

Hello Oscarman:
You should keep the medium moist and water it when it approach dryness. Give it bright light and give it more light when the growth is 5-8 inches tall. I would put the plant outside and put it in a place where it doesn't get rained on. The more light and fresh air is good for this species as it grows very high in the trees of Columbia.

Paphman910

[Oscarman]

Here is an updated photo of my C. warscewiczii. It's new growth is coming along nicely.

[Paphman910]

Hello Oscarman:
Your Cattleya warscewiczii is looking good.

Paphman910