Culture needs for Lophiaris nana?

[rockyfarm]

I just bought this species in rather questionable condition (soggy medium, dead roots). It's a 'mini' mule-ear, sometimes known as Oncidium nana. I assume it needs well-drained mix and lots of light. I'd like to hear if anyone knows about seasonal requirements, dormancy, etc.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by rockyfarm

I just bought this species in rather questionable condition (soggy medium, dead roots). It's a 'mini' mule-ear, sometimes known as Oncidium nana. I assume it needs well-drained mix and lots of light. I'd like to hear if anyone knows about seasonal requirements, dormancy, etc.

Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia might help to begin with.

[rockyfarm]

Thanks; nice photo but pretty minimal information. Still, it seems widespread enough and attractive enough that it should be more widely grown than it appears to be.

[Roberta]

Looked up Trichocetrum nanum (current name, was Lophiaris nana) in Orchidwiz There is a Baker culture sheet. A warm-growing lower-elevation species. Based on elevation ranges, could grow cooler in winter if kept fairly dry, but from what I could see, it's better off treated as "tropical"... probably would be happy under Phalaenopsis conditions, probably somewhat brighter. No indication of a dormant period... if it is cooler with less light in the winter, the same reduction in watering that everything else gets, but nothing drastic.

[rockyfarm]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Looked up Trichocetrum nanum (current name, was Lophiaris nana) in Orchidwiz There is a Baker culture sheet. A warm-growing lower-elevation species. Based on elevation ranges, could grow cooler in winter if kept fairly dry, but from what I could see, it's better off treated as "tropical"... probably would be happy under Phalaenopsis conditions, probably somewhat brighter. No indication of a dormant period... if it is cooler with less light in the winter, the same reduction in watering that everything else gets, but nothing drastic.

Thanks VERY much. The leaves have that reddish stippling that suggests a little more light than Phals. I really hope it recovers; it may be a good size for my indoor conditions.

[estación seca]

I have L. (Trichocentrum) tigrinum. Mine slowly declined for 9 months after arriving in November 2015. It was attempting a new growth, but that died almost immediately. Then it tried another new growth, and that also died. It sat for many more months as winter turned into spring, and spring turned into summer. Then in late summer 2016 it made a huge new growth twice the size of the previous ones. Then, finally, it made new roots.

I think these should be grown mounted, not in pots. They need to get wet every day and dry every day. In a pot they might stay too wet and the roots might rot.

The one you mention probably should stay pretty warm all year. If it grows on citrus and avocados in South America it is probably not below 50 F / 10C at night. Give it very bright shade, keep it warm and humid, and hope for new growth and roots. Going into winter is not a great time to get a struggling warm-growing orchid.

I would treat with a kelp product to try and promote root formation. I use KelpMax. You can also get kelp products at a hydroponics shop. Use one you dilute in water.

[rockyfarm]

That L. tigrinum is spectacular! I'm growing under lights and reduce daylength only to 12 hours in winter, so most of my hybrids are still active. I switched the L. nana to an coarse, open mix (it had been in sphagnum) and water on a 4-day cycle, misting the plants in the morning. Day temperatures still are running 76 to 81 (indoors!) and I'm keeping nights above 59. This was not the wisest purchase I've made, but in part I felt sorry for the plant. I remember growing mule-ear Oncidiums in south Florida years ago and couldn't resist. Thanks for the advice.

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