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Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes advice needed

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Paul Mc, Apr 5, 2014.

  1. Paul Mc

    Paul Mc Member

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    Hello,

    I recently purchased one of these tiny beauties. It came in a very small net pot with a little bit of bark, but I am assuming given it's length and what appears to be roots growing along the vine like growth that I should assume to grow it as a bare-root orchid. Is that correct?

    There seems to be very little growing information on it that I understand. From what I've read this far, it should be constantly moist and never allowed to dry out which made me wonder how I was going to do this given how it was potted up. So I moved it to my terrarium where temps never go above 75F (rarely above 70F actually), a fogger is on for about a total of three hours daily off and on in the morning, and humidity ranges between 80 and 90%. Unfortunately, the air flow was designed to significantly dry out the plants before nightfall and I've found this one to be bone dry by evening.

    Any advise? Thanks!
     
  2. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Paul, I grow this species. I have grow the plant very well into a beautiful specimen but it rarely flowers for me, so consider my conditions accordingly. I have mine mounted on a tree fern totem so that it can assume it's natural pendulous form. There is so much plant on the totem that I don't know if the tree fern dries at all between watering but I do water it daily. It is in my greenhouse under intermediate conditions. Heat doesn't seem to be an issue for this species, at least under my conditions. I have the mount hanging on the basket of Dend. nobile where it gets strong morning light and then progressively shadier as the day continues and the D. nobile provides shade.

    Here is a thread I initiated back in 2011. http://www.orchidsforum.com/threads/trichosalpinx-chamaelepanthes.8673/
    The plant has probably 4x the mass that it did then, is beautiful, but still rarely blooms.
     
  3. Paul Mc

    Paul Mc Member

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    Wow, 4 times! That's amazing!

    Originally, I had the terrarium set to one hour of fog in the morning, but have increased that at intervals throughout the morning and early afternoon to attempt keeping it moist. Just did this, so my concern is now about the health of the other orchids in there. I'm monitoring daily to ensure things dry out enough and to inspect for any potential issues.

    Guess this will just be trial and error, lol...

    Thanks for the thread link!
     
  4. DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    Kelly, I noticed mine flushed the other day. Which was only because I was looking closely. Who knows how many times I've not noticed?
     
  5. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Daniel, I check regularly since I know the flowers are tiny. I have divided mine into 3 pieces and have them in different locations in the greenhouse. Hopefully I will see some flowers. Since yours is blooming I'll watch mine closely.

    I have started breaking off strands and draping them over other mounts or wires much like Spanish moss and they live and grow surprisingly well that way.
     
    jai likes this.
  6. spiro K.

    spiro K. Well-Known Member

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    I also grow this species, its vigorous and fast growing,(mine looks like a giant beard!) but flowers very infrequently.
    I wish I knew why.
     
  7. jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Do you plan to sell any division in the future kellyw?
     
  8. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    No, not soon