My fussy C aclandiae

[Acuminata]

Acquired late last year growing in a med bark chunk mix and hating its life;all roots ended in dead tips that didn't penetrate the media.
Repotted in an inorganic,a mix of LECA and pumice.It is still aborting all the roots as soon as they touch the edge of the pot and don't penetrate the media.
It's in a plastic basket.
The root crawls across the inorganic and doesn't die upon contact (like the bark chunks) but stops in it's tracks upon contact w/ the plastic.
Clay pot w/ inorganic? Bark mount? Slatted wood basket? Opinions? Others' experience w/ this species?

[estación seca]

What are your growing conditions? Temperature day/night? Relative humidity? How much light is it getting? How and how often are you watering? Fertilizing?

Roots die at the tips for several reasons. They may wobble and scratch the tip. To prevent this make sure the plant is well staked and secured. Low humidity and inadequate water will kill surface roots.

Is the plastic pot getting sun? If the plastic heats up it might be cooking the root tips.

[Roberta]

I agree with ES that wobbling can really kill root tips - important that the plant is held firmly in place.

I have had really good results with the Cattleya tribe using wood baskets - large bark. Think of it as a three-dimensional mount. You'll have to water more - it will dry out very fast. But I have had more robust root growth with wood baskets (some roots grab it like a mount, others escape into the air and seem very happy) than plastic baskets, and certainly better than pots. They also seem to do better hanging than on bench. I don't have C. aclandiae (I stay away from warm growers due to lack of greenhouse space) but have a C Quinquecolor (aclandae x forbesii) that is turning into a serious beast, outgrowing a 10 inch wood basket.

[isurus79]

Aclandiae is one that I grew in Hawaii with no problems but I can't get it going here in Texas. Several well known Brazilian Cattleya growers I know have said this species needs high humidity to do well. I think the comments/questions from ES and Roberta are right on the money and I'm just adding another bit of information from my experience.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Aclandiae is one that I grew in Hawaii with no problems but I can't get it going here in Texas. Several well known Brazilian Cattleya growers I know have said this species needs high humidity to do well. I think the comments/questions from ES and Roberta are right on the money and I'm just adding another bit of information from my experience.

If you can find it, C. Quinquecolor is great - color a paler version of aclandiae, nice light fragrance, blooms 2-3 times a year and bullet-proof. (I grow it outside so it handles heat and cold and mediocre humidity... the C. forbesii contributes hardiness and multiple bloomings, C. aclandiae provides the aesthetics.)

[orchidman77]

I have an aclandiae seedling that is quite happy in a clay pot with large bark; I water frequently (daily, or slightly less) as it dries quickly. Humidity in my tent is usually above 60%. Temps usually swing from ~65-80 F. I think this species needs frequent moisture but with good air movement, as it lost many of its roots and shriveled for a bit before its current setup. I found it to be generous in growing new roots after a kelpak treatment.

David

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Roberta

If you can find it, C. Quinquecolor is great - color a paler version of aclandiae, nice light fragrance, blooms 2-3 times a year and bullet-proof. (I grow it outside so it handles heat and cold and mediocre humidity... the C. forbesii contributes hardiness and multiple bloomings, C. aclandiae provides the aesthetics.)

Ah, good to know! Thanks!

[Acuminata]

Originally Posted by estación seca

What are your growing conditions? Temperature day/night? Relative humidity? How much light is it getting? How and how often are you watering? Fertilizing?

Roots die at the tips for several reasons. They may wobble and scratch the tip. To prevent this make sure the plant is well staked and secured. Low humidity and inadequate water will kill surface roots.

Is the plastic pot getting sun? If the plastic heats up it might be cooking the root tips.

Bright indirect light,in a humidity tent so 70-80%,water 2X/wk,mist every AM,mist 1/wk w/ 1/4 strength 20-20-20,don't hose water to keep from rocking the plant and causing root damage.Temps range low/mid 60's to 80's on a sunny day.
A layer of tree moss (Usnea spp) over the top of the pot helped encourage/grow the current set of roots.They were shy in coming out so I put a layer of moss and they raced across the top of the medium under the moss till they hit the edge and stopped growing.The moss kept the roots moist longer and kept the plant set in place,seemed to help.

[estación seca]

Are you ever watering, or only misting?

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[isurus79]

If the plant isn't tied down, the root tips might be bumping the media or side of the pot when being misted or even when you open the tent. It doesn't take much to cause them to recoil.

Additionally, the fertilizer salts could be accumulating on the media or side of the pot, also causing a reason for root tip die back. I'd tie the plant down and stop fertilizer use until established.