What Genus are you finding difficult to grow?
 

Hello all,

I have mastered Cattleyas (not really), gotten Dendrobiums to thrive (sort of), bloomed Angraecums (somewhat), and have even tamed the terrible miltoniopsis (yes).

Yet, what still continues to irritate me to no end is Trichopilia suavis.

Writing out the name even makes me shudder. I love their flowers but I now despise them as plants.

In every case (now 5), the leaves yellow and drop. The Suavis has become my special nemesis. I have three right now and they are all in poor shape. I think I’m going to have to replace them soon. I am thinking maybe it is too hot for them in the summer 88-96f.

That said, I just bought a marginata and it actually seems quite sturdy. The other Trichopilia species I have aren’t doing too badly either. The suavis on the other hand...

Does anyone else have a particular (or several) genus, species, or hybrid that is their nemesis?

I wouldn't even know where to start.......:roll:

Angraecums are my enemy. I know they can grow well down here, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. So far though, the only one I’ve been semi-successful with is an Angraecum distichum. I say semi-successful because it’s been doing pretty good for a couple of years and now, all of the sudden, I’m seeing some yellowing at the base and I’ve lost two growths. Every other Angraecum I’ve tried has crashed— a half dozen didieris, eburneum, leonis, magdalenae and my poor sesquipedale that I had raised from a small seedling and got a horrible infection last year.


Oddly, a lot of the other closely related genera do well like my Mystacidiums, Amesiella, or Aeranthes.... I’m at a loss but I’ll keep trying. I currently have a leonis under lights and I would like to try an eburneum or magdalenae again when I can find one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg

Brassa --- maybe the first thing is to try to gather as much information as possible about the requirements of the particular orchid that is going to be grown at your place.

We have to understand that - the plants didn't approach us or ask us to grow them. It is we (us) that made the move, or first move. So it's like us approaching somebody and then imposing ourselves on them when they didn't ask us to approach or impose.

So ----- when we try to grow a plant or care for a plant, we first have to read-up, investigate, study, gather as much information as possible - to allow us to take proper care of that plant, and to give it the best chance and care ever.

We shouldn't become irritated or despise something that didn't ask for our attention to begin with.

Just keep at it though (with best efforts to grow this one). I'm sure you can do it, and also be able to share your methods with others.

Just looked up the sort of orchid you're talking about. Very nice plants indeed. Keep at it. You can do it!

Oh! And another one that is the bane of my existence is the Dendrobium spectabile. I struggle with the Den/Dockrillia cucumerinum as well, but a lot of people struggle with that. There is absolutely no reason that I shouldn’t be able to grow a Den. spectabile. Yet 3 plants later, here we are...

This one is particularly frustrating because I’m generally very good with Dendrobium culture, whatever the section or type, and I grow more Den species than anything else- several other Latourias, Spatulata, Semi-Nobilies, Formosae, Aporum, Callista, Oxyglossum, Pedilonum types... hell, even my little cuthbertsonii division is growing great and getting ready to bloom. I’m not saying I don’t kill any, but at least I know why when I do, and Den deaths have become few and far between. Not sure if I’m repotting this one at the wrong time or what it is. I keep having the same issue where the new growths don’t want to produce roots. I get maybe 2 roots from a new growth (if any) and they stop growing when they are about 1 cm long. I have good humidity and water frequently, thought they might not like the lava rock or LECA in my climate, so I switched to bark after a year. Same problem. I even tried padding with a little sphagnum moss and still nothing. The plant weakens, starts becoming more susceptible to pests (like, it will be the only one with spider mites out of 300 orchids during the most humid part of the year...) or have other issues, and goes down hill. Just haven’t figured out this “easy grower” yet.

And, for your enjoyment, here is a pic of my hilariously awful looking spectabile. It’s the only one of the three that’s still partially alive.

Ok. I’m done venting :lol::lol:

Have you tried changing the light substantially? Either to much more light or much less? NO has high light intensity compared to most of the US, even when it's cloudy.

edit

I think we mentioned Dendrobium/Dockrillia cucumerinum/a in your earlier thread.

For each one, not really. However, since I had 3, I put them in different areas. One was with my Catts and antelope dens up on the balcony (50%shade cloth, sun most of the day), one was growing right between a Den. atroviolaceum and Den. hodgkinsonii in the shade house (also 50%shade cloth but more dappled from plants hanging above), and the last one I put on the bench by my Phals and other low light stuff. The one grown by the Phals is the one that’s still alive but the new growths are ridiculously skinny and small, between 6”-10”. I’m guessing that’s due to low light and that it is still living off the same root system it had 3 years ago with no new roots being produced. I had a guy that lives in my area and grows this species to stop by the house and even he was scratching his head. He grows his spectabiles with his Spatulata Dens and the younger ones with the Den Phals. And if it was something like watering habits, I would think I would be having more issues with my other Latourias (and others). I really don’t know, but I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet!


And yes! I’m looking at the cucumber thread right now:)

I use Ray's Kelpmax rooting promoter, and I think it helps. Maybe try that?

I have had trouble getting an Aerangis to grow. Thinking about giving it away actually. Also. I have so many problems with paphiopedilum species rotting. Funny tho, my miltoniopsis thrive! But they have a special "cloud" forest setup. The rest of the orchids have to fend for themselves outside.

I was glad when Odontoglossum was lumped into Oncidium, because it's too hot here for Odontoglossums but I can grow Oncidiums.