Repotting time and media for Chysis bractescens - Orchid Board

orchidophile168 · #1 03-13-2009, 01:36 PM

Hi,

Does anyone grow Chysis bractescens or just Chysis in general. I just recieved one as a gift and was wondering when would be an appropriate time to repot? I was thinking about repotting it in a hanging basket so I don't have to bother it for a while. So far it has 3 pbulbs with flowers and a new growth growing. Also, what type of media do people recommend. I was thinking a medium mix with some sphagnum added. What do you think?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

phearamedusa · #2 06-09-2009, 11:18 PM

I have Chysis langleyansis( think I got the spelling right). I can't really offer any good growing tips from my experience. I'v had it a LONG time, NO flowers, but new healthy looking growth every damn year. Another member gave me this link when I posted my question about mine http://home.earthlink.net/~profpam/Chysis.pdf Good Luck.

orchidophile168 · #3 06-10-2009, 01:13 AM

Thanks a bunch. I'll have to let you know what happens with my plant. Good luck with yours.

smweaver · #4 06-19-2009, 09:47 AM

I have Chysis bractescens and it's growing in a small teak basket filled with NZ sphagnum moss. It likes lots of water during the growing season, so this arrangement has worked well for me for the last couple of years since I got the plant. Although it's not flowering size yet, it has grown substantially since I've had it, so again, I think it's liking the moss and basket arrangement. The species from this genus do tend to become pendant (mine has successfully grown downwards again in spite of my past efforts--which I've now given up--to get it to grow upright), so don't worry once the new growths start going over the side of the pot/basket and hanging with the leaves pointing downwards. In the winter you might want to let your plant dry out between waterings, and let it stay dry once it drops all of its leaves. My plant usually drops its leaves in December, rests for a couple of months and then starts to grow again in early March. It also seems to appreciate a fairly shady location, but that's just been my own experience with this particular plant. Good luck with your plant!

Steve

V_coerulea · #5 09-29-2009, 06:40 PM

I grow Chysis bractescens and Chysis langleyansis. While both have the same type of growth, bractescens is considerably larger and a little more demanding. It goes dormant for the winter and usually drops most of its leaves. I find it easier to keep it cooler at this time, as it does in its native setting. It also wants to be much drier. As it is dormant it doesn't need or want much water. I've done this with seedlings that have p-bulbs 4-5" long in 4" pots and had them bloom in spring along with the bigger plants. Plant them in something that can hang on its side or at an angle as the p-bulbs are pendulous and can reach lengths of 12" or so and leaves an additional 18". Repotting is best done right after blooming in spring or as the new growth is pushing out from the base. This can be hazardous as you can easily damage the new growth. You can also repot during the dormant period as long as you maintain the fairly dry conditions. A misting to keep the p-bulbs from shrivelling is all that is needed at this time. The flower stem comes from the base of a new growth in spring and appears like a new growth at first.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 09-30-2009, 02:19 PM

Chysis belongs in the Cattleya Alliance btw. Does this demystify how they should be grown to a certain degree.

This is also one of those groups of orchids that are able to self pollinate without anybody's help.

They're autogamous.