Does anyone grow Corybas geminigibbus? - Orchid Board

Goods14 · #1 01-02-2011, 04:12 PM

I bought a Corybas geminigibbus this summer. I was told it likes to stay very humid and many people were successful growing it in mostly closed containers (I think it was specifically a McFlurry cup). Because of this, I placed it in a small cube similar to those that carnivorous plants are sold in. My plant has grown well in the very moist environment, but it has not yet gone dormant. Do I need to induce a dry period or will it go dormant on its own?

I can't seem to find much information on this plant so anything will be helpful.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 01-02-2011, 04:21 PM

Check back with me in spring.

If they're not dead, I'll tell you what I know.

At the moment, all I can say is, they don't like drying out when they're in growth at all.

Humidity is not that crucial. I grew it outdoors without a cover before, and they were alright.

Covering them up prevents the media from drying out too fast, it's not mandatory. It also makes things easier to keep pace with.

Goods14 · #3 01-02-2011, 04:33 PM

Ok I guess I'll just keep it the way it is for now and hopefully it will do something on its own.

I'm keeping mine indoors so I can have more control over the temperature. I've only had to water twice since I've owned it and kept it covered. I was told there was a grower somewhere who watered them once at the beginning of the growing season, covered them, and just left them alone after that.

Goods14 · #4 01-15-2011, 08:06 PM

Bump... anyone else grow this?

Bloomin_Aussie · #5 01-17-2011, 09:02 AM

Not his particular species but I do grow others. With Corybas I find maintaining a correct level of moisture is key. I use an open mix containing decomposed pine bark, euco mulch, coarse river sand, perlite and a little coco peat. This seems to hold enough moisture but not too much if it is over watered. I have seen people get good results in sphagnum too.

You need to keep them out of the wind because the fleshy leaves will shrivel and die if left exposed. This is also necessary to help the flowers last.

Watering by sitting the pot in a tray of water can be better than overhead watering so you can avoid water sitting on the leaves which would lead to fungal problems.

Also, they grow on the forest floor in low light conditions so keep them in deep shade.

Goods14 · #6 01-17-2011, 01:34 PM

Thank you for your advice. I have mine in low light, high humidity, and in sphagnum. Do you have any experience with the dormancy of these plants?

Bloomin_Aussie · #7 02-20-2011, 05:42 AM

Sorry for the delay in response...

I only grow Australian Corybas which die down when the weather gets warmer in late spring, staying dormant throught the hot summer and emerging again in Autumn.

Corybas geminigibbus however naturally occurs in Borneo and Malaysia where these weather conditions do not exist.

I would let the plant decide for itself. As with most deciduous terrestrials, if it has a long growth season it simply means it will create more daughter tubers. It may have an effect on flowering next season however.

Due to an unusually humid start to summer here I have a number of pots of terrestrials that sent up new growth while last season's leaves were still green. The plants seem quite happy...

Once your plant shows signs of dormancy (leaves yellowing and shrivelling etc.) reduce the humidity and moisture until it dies completely down. Some prefer to store dormant tubers cool and dry but I prefer to repot and give some water every few weeks. I find that if they are kept too dry they will shrivel and die.

Goods14 · #8 02-20-2011, 11:59 PM

Hi thanks again for the good information. You are one of the very few sources of information I have so I appreciate your posts!

My plant's leaf finally yellowed and shriveled up about a week ago. I didn't change the conditions at all to induce this. Do you think I should let it experience a drier period now or leave it as is? I don't water just have it in a very humid environment.

Thanks again!

graceangela9 · #9 02-24-2011, 04:49 AM

As far my knowledge I think you should decrease its humidity level and keep it in open atmosphere.I think it will work.

Bloomin_Aussie · #10 03-05-2011, 08:52 AM

Yes, agreed. Humidity without air circulation will encourage rot. You only need enough humidity to prevent dessication... not much at all.

Give the plant a couple of weeks for the shoot and roots to die off then you can tip out the contents and check how many tubers the plant has created (hopefully lots). These can be potted straight into new mix but as suggested I wouldn't cover it over, just give the mix a misting every week to damp the top.