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Laelia alaorii Culture

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Vincent, Jan 2, 2009.

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  1. Jan 2, 2009 #1
    Vincent

    Vincent New Member

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    San Antonio, Texas
    It was unestablished on a piece of cork when I got it, but mounts are impractical in my growing conditions so I put it in a 6-inch basket of fir bark. Several weeks later, the leaves are beginning to shrivel and some of the roots have dehydrated beyond recovery. Maybe a pot would be better and/or a moisture-retentive medium such as Sphag or coconut husk chips.

    Any advice on growing this species? I couldn't find much searching the internet.
     
  2. Jan 3, 2009 #2
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    I grow this one Intermediate mounted on a stick. It doesn't grow real well for me, but it does grow and bloom.

    I would guess if you thought that it was just not getting enough water that I might try sphag, but I wouldn't keep it wet.
     
  3. Jan 3, 2009 #3
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    I have several BS plants in 2" mesh pots with sphagnum moss. They love it. For habitat information..... Troy Meyers has it.
     
  4. Jan 3, 2009 #4
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    how cold do you let yours get Dale?
     
  5. Jan 3, 2009 #5
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    62°F
     
  6. Jan 3, 2009 #6
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    crap. maybe this is why mine does not grow so well.
     
  7. Jan 3, 2009 #7
    mini-catts

    mini-catts Member

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    I have a couple that are all mounted. My temps are intermediate and get down to 50 degrees. Another friend who grows them well, has them mounted or in a basket.
    I would try sphagnum moss in a net pot or clay pot to get it re-established.
    Peter T.
     
  8. Jan 3, 2009 #8
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I would try the smallest clay pot I could fit it in with sphagnum. I've grown it in the low to mid-50's, mounted. It bloomed several times and I kept hoping it would be better next time. Maybe it was the temperature, but more likely it was just a crappy clone. I decided to let someone else grow it.
     
  9. Jan 3, 2009 #9
    EGOISTA

    EGOISTA Member

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    My boyfriend are particulary lovers of this genus and he said that:"This species like both hight RH and a good umidity around the roots, but It don't like eccessive moisture.
    In my experience I found that it can grow very well in basket or in small plastics pots both filled with medium grade bark, but with this media it was need repot early."
     
  10. Jan 3, 2009 #10
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Sounds like if your plant is drying out too quickly even with a bark mixture, you have low RH. Can you increase it at all?
     
  11. Jan 3, 2009 #11
    Vincent

    Vincent New Member

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    Thanks for all the responses!

    It's in a room that's humidified at night when the heat is on, but has not had high humidity in general. Certainly not rainforest level. I'll try sphag in a little pot or smaller basket to see if a more humid root environment will do.
     
  12. Jan 3, 2009 #12
    Ron-NY

    Ron-NY New Member

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    see if you can keep it alive until the next growth period when it will get new roots and establish. I mounted mine on a stick last year and it loves it but the humidity is never below 60%. Mine dries very rapidly after watering and only get's watered 1x per week this time of the year, 2-3X per week in warmer weather