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Comparettia ignea

Discussion in 'Orchid Species' started by KellyW, Jul 15, 2013.

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  1. Jul 15, 2013 #1
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    This is the first of several buds to open on the spike. Now I just have to keep the plant alive. I keep this plant dry and warm but the last 2 leaves have rotted off before they mature. I only have the one original leaf that it had when I got the plant last fall. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    Comparettia ignea5-1000.jpg
     
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  2. Jul 15, 2013 #2
    Ricardo

    Ricardo Slave of demanding bird

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    I have seen Comparetia falcata growing in twigs over mountain streams, where they enjoy very high humidity without necesarily being wet. Also it is a cooler microclimate because the water in this stream is about 64F.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2013 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I would take the spike off if you want to give the plant the energy to build itself back up. My understanding of comparettias is that they like to dry quickly, but not to grow them dry.
     
  4. Jul 15, 2013 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks, Ricardo and Marni.
    I was afraid someone would suggest removing the spike. :( I know that is the right thing to do. I may do that after I enjoy the color for a few more days.


    I wonder how it would like having the roots on top of a pad of sphagnum? Currently I have a little sphagnum over the roots.
     
  5. Jul 15, 2013 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    That is a personal call. I never put moss under the roots. Can you put them where it is more humid or water them more often? Maybe put a "drape" of coco fiber or spanish moss hanging around them?
     
  6. Jul 15, 2013 #6
    Ricardo

    Ricardo Slave of demanding bird

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    The plants I saw in the wild had roots covering the twig and also would penetrate a bit on parts of the twig that were partly decomposed and a bit spongy. They also had a number of roots just dangling in the air. The twigs were moist, maybe due to the high local humidity. Not as Scott Adams would put it "slightly moist".