Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[nenella]

that's fab! Well Done!
I too didn't think a spike could have so many buds on it !!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on how you are growing it. Please do keep on posting how the buds develop. I am very interested and hope to have a happy plant growing like yours!

[NatalieS]

I think the leaf is just starting to appear on one of the growths on my cernua, but for the last couple of days I've noticed what looks like very small drops of sap on the tip. At first I thought it was water and gently brushed it off, but each morning it's back. Anyone else see something like this? I don't see any evidence of pests, but it has made me wonder.

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

I think the leaf is just starting to appear on one of the growths on my cernua, but for the last couple of days I've noticed what looks like very small drops of sap on the tip. At first I thought it was water and gently brushed it off, but each morning it's back. Anyone else see something like this? I don't see any evidence of pests, but it has made me wonder.

Many Cattleya alliance orchids secrete sap on their new growths. It also can be a sign of bugs like you mentioned but if you can't see any it probably is just sap from the plant. A lot of my plants do that. I have heard people call it happy sap.

[31drew31]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

I think the leaf is just starting to appear on one of the growths on my cernua, but for the last couple of days I've noticed what looks like very small drops of sap on the tip. At first I thought it was water and gently brushed it off, but each morning it's back. Anyone else see something like this? I don't see any evidence of pests, but it has made me wonder.

My soph has been doing this since day one. Nothing to worry about. If you look closely on the first photo I posted on page back you can see a little bit.

[NatalieS]

Thanks Wynn Dee and 31drew31. The soph is my first orchid from the cattleya alliance so I wasn't sure if it was normal. I can see it now on the pic on the previous page - it's hard to spot.

[Rowangreen]

I'm not sure if I've got a leaf yet. I said a while back that a crease was appearing which I guessed would be where the leaf came out. Well, something came out of that. Then something came out of that. Then something came out of that! I think I may be on proper leaf this time as it looks thicker... but it turns out the rest were sheaves!

Must try and get a pic sometime, but it's a challenge even for my ultra macro setting LOL.

PS just looked and my new growth has started a root!

[Rowangreen]

Here we go! Pics from above showing the zigzag growth (I think I will have to give that plant a good spray with de-ionised water at some point! LOL it's looking dusty...), and one where you can just see the new root.

Second pic also shows how one of the new roots (on the right) has some black discoloration. I've got this on a few of my orchids, I find especially new plants which can lose a few roots. It looks almost like the roots have been burnt. But they seem to bounce back and do fine. I'd be interested if anyone knows what it is though, as it can be a bit unsightly! I was thinking either a fungus or burns from my tap water?

[Paul Mc]

Well, I haven't seen any new growth other than roots, but I'm very glad to report that I have finally seen that! Maybe mine just needed more transition time and didn't like the outdoor heat this year.

[vjo]

I dont think it is burns from your water as mine has the same thing and I use only rain water,dont know what it is tho....Jean

[bballr4567]

Well, I just checked my new leaf as it just started opening up a few days ago, no buds. Oh well, still like the little bugger but man, its just not that productive of a grower. lol