Pelantanthera insectifera growing info?

[Paul Mc]

I am wondering if anyone has any experience growing this one. I bought one in February that came in a plastic pot with medium bark chips. After a few months, it's growth habit seemed to indicate it would really do better in a basket since the roots were going everywhere. Also, I noticed the leaves shriveling which told me it needed far more water than twice a week.

Since putting it in a basket with coconut husk fibers, it seemed to do better then suddenly all the keikis except one died and the main growth along with its roots slowly dried up and succumbed. I am left with one 7 leafed keiki at the base.

The remaining keiki seems to be doing much better than the parent though. It's leaves started shriveling a bit so I increased water again. To date, the leaves aren't turning yellow and dropping like its parent and siblings did.

Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong or could do better?

For now, I have it under a large pin oak tree so it gets morning sun until about 10 or 11am, then it gets a bit of evening sun around 6 or so (probably only about 1 hours worth or less). I've been watering it several times a day (until mid-afternoon) along with my Vandas.

[Paul Mc]

Hope no one mind me "bumping" myself. I'm hoping more people will see this over the weekend.

[Zoi2]

I've never attempted this one but if it is an Ophrys you might check this link:
myorchids/Ophrys
Good Luck
Joann

[My Green Pets]

Do you have any photos of it? I am a new vanda owner and have never heard of this one.

[Paul Mc]

(Self deleting due to repost)

[Paul Mc]

Ok, for some reason it appears my original response didn't go through and post. Please forgive me if this appears as a double post. Also, I added some info at the end of this repost.

I could be wrong, but I don't think it's related to Ophrys (spelling?). I'm honestly not that good understanding orchid classifications, but I am slowly learning.

Do you mean a picture of it's bloom or the plant I have (or at least what's left of it anyway, lol...

I have no pictures of the bloom and when I did an internet search for this particular orchid I found a few things but nothing that gave me any clue what to do.

[Paul Mc]

Here's a link to the taxonomy and the most comprehensive information I could find. Don't believe based on this it qualifies as Ophrys, but again I could be very wrong

http://www.hortusorchis.org/en/botan...settivora.html

[Zoi2]

Nope, not an Ophrys.
Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has a picture of one..it looks like a Trichoglottis!
Joann

[Paul Mc]

Joan, based on my understanding of the info in the link (how it is classified as being minor since no two orchids are exactly identical, but more specifically the temps and locations found), I assumed more water would be necessary. My own observation of how it grew and growing conditions given made me wonder about Vanda-esque style growing (baskets with coconut husk fibers, heavier water supply, and possibly more light, but not necessarily given the wrinkled leaves...). Just gut instincts based on observations, but I am probably WAY off.

On another note, I am glad my understanding is getting better regarding seeing signs and understanding the very basics about what might be involved.

[AussieVanda]

You've spelt it ever so slightly incorrect, which probably doesn't give you the 'google' results you want...try Pelatantheria insectifera