gongora problems

[OhioBob]

I have a Gongora quinquenervis that I recently divided and repotted. One of the plants has recovered nicely but the second one will start growing a new bulb then when it is about an inch tall- just before the leaves sprout the bulb will die. Anyone have any suggestions as to what is causing it? I have them planted in a bark/lava rock mix and water 2 times a week.

[Leafmite]

I don't grow this but does it rot or just wilt?

[isurus79]

Any pics? Sounds like it could be too dry.

[OhioBob]

I don't have any pics, the chid is at work but I will try to get one. The mature pbulbs don't indicate I am keeping it too dry as they stay fully engorged. And the pbulbs that die don't wilt or rot. They just seem to stop growing and slowly turn brown and dry up.

[isurus79]

Do you know the relative humidity? How bright is it? What fert do you use?

[RJSquirrel]

Gongora quinquenervis are epiphytic and because of their flowers they should be grown in hanging pots or wooden baskets. The compost should consist of Osmunda or tree fern fiber with Sphagnum moss to which small pieces of bark are added. The plants require humidity at all times and have no definite rest period. For ripening of pseudobulbs and encouragement of flowers, water is reduced somewhat for a short time. They grow best in semi-shade with intermediate temperatures. Buds and flowers are sensitive to direct contact with water, they must not be syringed, otherwise flowers may drop prematurely. Hope that helps your Gongora.

[Paul Mc]

OhioBob, mine does the exact same thing! It does appear to just dry up but I have also suspected rot. It seems to grow just fine if I water it from the bottom by soaking, but the moment water touches the new growth or any current (if it makes it that far) they seem to resent it and immediately rot out then turn brown. I recently switched my medium to Spanish moss since a member of the society here grows an excellent specimen in slightly compacted Spanish moss. I'm assuming the retention if moisture and airiness of the medium is why he is having such success. Mines been in a fine bark mix which seems to dry out too much for its liking.

[OhioBob]

Interesting thoughts... I think getting water on the new growth may be the problem. This plant is growing in the same spot the original plant did and I regularly would get 5-6 flowering stalks from it after each new growth. The facility does keep the humidity up and they drop the temp at night. As for light, the desk is two cubes from the east window and my phal there loves it. I know gongoras should be grown in a basket but mine seem to do fine in a pot as long as I keep the media all the way up to the top of the pot. I used a lava rock mix this time because I ran short on bark but it doesn't seem to affect the plant as a whole.
I think I will try to keep water off any new growth in the future.

[isurus79]

Hmmm, I dunno about water causing the rot unless you are watering the plant in the evening or if there is no air movement. I used to grow these guys in baskets hanging under trees (ie. fully exposed to the elements) and blasted them with a garden hose nearly every day of the year!! Buds never dropped and growths never rotted!

Pictures would definitely help.

[Guillaume]

I have a Gongora galeata which have done the same thing 2 x in a row. I have since changed conditions to more light (all my plant are now under a 400w MH artificial light) and added moss to the base of the plant for humidity. I am also using RO water only. The attached pic shows the new growth, I hope it develops this time!