Sophronites (Cattleya) coccinea 2 clones

love the rich color of them.. Thanks for posting

 

Both are beautiful. I desperately want one of these, but I keep talking myself out of it.

 

Gorgeous, I love the Sophronitis, they are from my area. This one occurs naturally near here, but at higher altitudes.

 

Gorgeous! What great colour.

 

I will photograph one when I see it blooming. I could probably try to grow S. cernua here, as it is warm during the summer. I don't think this one would stand the heat.

 

Wish I could have one in my collection but it is wayyy to hot here.

 

I grow on a light stand in a spare bedroom and I worry it would be too warm. I do grow masdies, but I keep them cool by keeping the roots moist.
I might pick one up if I see it in a pot, but a mount won't do.

They're just too pretty!!

 

I am growing a number of clones (about 35) here in Baltimore. This town is NOT a cool area on its own so I cheat. My greenhouse is partitioned into two parts. The cool section is actually air-conditioned with an industrial grade air-conditioner, inspired by the Odontoglossum and Disa culture at Longwood Gardens. The cool section never gets above 75°F year round during the days. Maximum night temperature is 60°F and minimum temperature (most of this winter) is 50°F. The Sophronitis coccinea are in the direct path of an AquaFogger fogging fan which is on for 1/2 hour in the morning in winter and morning and afternoon in summer. They are potted in a mostly inorganic mix — a little bark and sphagnum but mostly granite, perlite, Aliflor, and horticultural charcoal. Mine are potted in 4" slotted terracotta pots and hung on hardware cloth on the partition wall or an open metal mesh bench. They get pretty bright light and will develop a good red stripe down the center of the leaf if they are happy, except for the aurea varieties. When they get too big for the 4" terracotta pots, I put them in teak or cedar baskets with the same very course mix where they can develop into pretty awesome specimens. For those looking for good clones, a number of tetraploid line bred seedlings are coming in from Japan. I know that Cal Orchids, Gold Country, and J & L have had them at most shows. Ecuagenera has a clone with really tiny flowers of good shape which has done very well, doubling in size almost every year. You can grow them with 1) cool, including inside an air-conditioned home, 2) moist but well ventilated, 3) course potting mix or mounting.

 

Thank you both!
With regards to growing them "cool" my temps are almost never below 64F. A typical temp in my spare room would be 73F day, 64F night. So, you'll notice two things...1) that's not cool 2) there isn't a big day night fluctuation. I also struggle to keep humidity above 40% (although, it fluctuates wildly between 65%-30% depending on watering schedule, and season). I grow masdies because I have created a careful watering schedule that maintains cool roots (or so I think). I think I will give a coccinia a try, but obviously this will not be without challenges. What do you think about the temperatures, is it just too darn hot?

 

I think that is the best advice you can give anyone who wants to try growing a new orchid! I would not grow Masdivallias had I listened to the "rules".
Thanks for letting me hijack the thread! Your photos are beautiful! -Christine