Project 2017: Rupicolous Laelias - Page 9 - Orchid Board

Cheddarbob14 · #1 07-08-2017, 02:17 PM

SaraJean, I found myself with a similar issue, as far as being afraid something was retaining too much moisture. Fwiw, I just carefully slid the orchid out of the pot, and drilled a bunch of extra holes in the plastic one. I temped the orchid in a cup that was a similar size, just to minimize disturbing the roots. Cattleya didn't skip a beat through the process, recovered just fine

Cheddarbob14 · #2 07-09-2017, 07:37 PM

Happy to see a new root popping on what I assume is the newest growth at the surface, and a green root tip a little deeper on a more mature root (a little lower and left in the mini greenhouse

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Salixx · #3 07-23-2017, 12:41 PM

So, I know there's been a lot of concern over the care of these plants. I wanted to show everyone that these plants are really tough as nails and can come back from a lot of abuse. That's not to say they are easy, it's more to say that I think they have a strong will to live. I hope none of you mind my story time

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A couple months ago, I came across an eBay listing for three rupicolous Laelias in desperate need of TLC. For $20 or so shipped, I figured I didn't have much to lose. The seller actually ended up sending me four plants instead. All the plants were in various states of poor condition, none had any significant roots, all were very dehydrated and probably headed toward plant heaven soon. The species I received were: caulescens, esqualeana, blumenschienii, and a ? plant. The "?" plant is one the seller knew was either blumenscheinii or sanguiloba, so when it blooms I will know. The caulescens was in the best shape so I won't talk about it here because it wasn't really on death's door.

I repotted all of them immediately into aquarium gravel sized LECA in aircone or terracotta pots. The known blumenscheinii had a 2'' new growth that just simply fell off (taking the few short roots with it) and the older growth looked terrible. I potted them up separately, but didn't expect either to live.

I still keep them in bright light, but certainly not full sun. I water them every day to some extent, even if it's just a misting while I am doing the mounted plants.

For almost the entire time I have had them, they have not done anything. They didn't get worse, they didn't get better. About two weeks ago, things started to change and pictures are worth a thousand words.

First up, L. esqualeana, new roots and new growth

The unknown, new roots and growth

Lastly, my pathetic little blumenscheinii (fairly healthy caulescens just behind it)

The last one was really unexpected - I have had "easier" plants not come back from something like that. Although anything could really happen, I am amazed at this little plant's will to live.

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On my actual project plant, L. colnagoi, I don't have much to update. The newest growth is maturing and root tips are just starting to become visible. I really don't think this growth will bloom. We'll see if it initiates another this summer in time for a fall bloom. One can hope, right?

Cheddarbob14 · #4 07-25-2017, 10:14 AM

Sorry if already posted in the thread, but here's a nice link. I found the "evening watering" tidbit quite interesting. Maybe I'll add evening misting to my regimen for my project plant.

Rupicolous Laelia Culture | Sonoma County Orchid Society

rbarata · #5 07-30-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheddarbob14

Sorry if already posted in the thread, but here's a nice link. I found the "evening watering" tidbit quite interesting. Maybe I'll add evening misting to my regimen for my project plant.

Rupicolous Laelia Culture | Sonoma County Orchid Society

Take caution with that. The evening mist simulates the night and morning dew that ocurrs in the cold dry season. During the hot season you'll end up adding more water than normal watering which might prevent the medium to reach the right level of dryness.

Cheddarbob14 · #6 07-30-2017, 06:59 PM

As much as I have stared at this plant, I just now realized, 4 of the 5 pseudobulbs have just 1 leaf. The other, and oldest pseudobulb has 2!!! What is up with that? Also, upon further inspection, i have a new growth emerging (far left in pic)

Selmo · #7 08-05-2017, 10:08 PM

Here is a update on the two project laelias:
Photo one, the laelia flava (crispata) has two new growths about 1.5" (4cm) and the original leaves have doubled in size.
Photo two, is the lealia gloedeniana, it has two new growths too. But one is just setting there and the other has grown 2" (5cm) and looks good. It is loosing some of its reddish color , so we could give it a little more sun, than we are.

wintergirl · #8 08-05-2017, 11:51 PM

This is L.lucasiana 'Exotic Orchids' x self (C. longipes). It was not doing well potted so 3 months ago I put it on a Kool-log. In the second picture you can see the new growth and roots.

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SaraJean · #9 08-22-2017, 09:20 AM

Time for a mid summer update
Our weather has been really started to heat up! Day time temps for the last 3 weeks have been in the mid to upper 90's, feels like the low 100's, and the humidity has been suffocating. We had a run of daily rains for almost 4 weeks that ranged from heavy afternoon down pours (one day was 8" in 2.5 hours!!) to several inches spread out over 24hrs. Surprisingly, nothing has rotted and now that the sun has been out for a solid few weeks- no signs of leaves burning either

The first two pictures show the laelia gloedeniana. The new growth is starting to mature. I have been able to maintain the lighter yellow/green and the new growth showing the same color. This guy can take a lot of light. About 4-5 hours of direct sun starting at 10am, it's growing with my vanda. I might try to back off on the light, but so far there have been zero issues. It's been getting low fertilizer, I had read that these really don't require much at all. I have been making sure this gets watered at least every other day either by rain or me., I water with r/o water with MSU fertilizer that has a dosage of about 35-50ppm N every time I water manually. Should I up this dosage or lessen it? I also think the new growth in the first picture is ready to be staked upright. Not sure if I should wait on the other new growth that is starting to push up on the older leaf.

The last three pics show my hybrid l. Impanema Beach. I have three new growths starting and it is looking great. I am going to repot it now into a clay pot with a mix of leca and lava rock. I really hate plastic pots and bark, I've never good success with either of those with the way I grow things. This one is growing right next to the laelia gloedeniana and also is going marvelously with the light levels. I've been watering this one less due to it being in a larger, deeper, plastic pot with bark but it has been getting the same amount of rain as all of my other orchids

How am I doing? Any suggestions?

EDIT: I was just looking at the prictures of my laelia gloedeniana that I posted on page 6 of this thread. It looks like my orchid has lost almost all of its red color along the edges and backs of the leaves. Does this guy really need more light?! Or can this happen from too much light?

Double EDIT: I didn't realize how far along my new growth has come in 7 short weeks

Salixx · #10 08-22-2017, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraJean

EDIT: I was just looking at the prictures of my laelia gloedeniana that I posted on page 6 of this thread. It looks like my orchid has lost almost all of its red color along the edges and backs of the leaves. Does this guy really need more light?! Or can this happen from too much light?

Double EDIT: I didn't realize how far along my new growth has come in 7 short weeks

First, I want to say they look good!

As to your question about color - while they are not my project plants, I have two gloedenianas at the moment. They are younger than yours, but they get ~6hrs of direct sun a day and are mostly purple as a result. Yours may be okay, or may end up needing a bump. During the rainy time, was there predominantly cloud cover for those four weeks? If so, that may have been long enough for it to lose the red but it might get it back now.