Micropera rostrata - Orchid Board

razka3 · #1 03-30-2008, 07:49 PM

Does anyone grow this orchid? Know about it's needs? I can't seem to find much information about it...

Thanks...

Dorothy · #2 03-30-2008, 08:10 PM

I can't give you firsthand growing info because I don't have one of these but you can start with these sites until others add their comments and suggestions
IOSPE PHOTOS
Oak Hill has them available and they say -
It's fragrant, grows under medium light, intermediate to warm temperatures, Spring blooming ...
Oak Hill Gardens

This is a nice little orchid

cb977 · #3 03-30-2008, 08:20 PM

I checked Orchidwiz...sorry, there's no growing information listed for this one

razka3 · #4 03-30-2008, 11:31 PM

Yeah it's definitely a neat looking one, I've found a couple cool pictures of it, one in the wild. I tried mounting mine, but it looks crappy I think. It's pretty hard to find any information about what it requires... other than the basic stuff. I did read somewhere it requires a dry spell in the winter...

I guess if mine was going to bloom this year, it would have spiked already. How does a plant "know" it's spring anyway?

Thank you both.

Dorothy · #5 03-31-2008, 07:11 AM

Frank, do you know where the plant originated .. as in vendor ?

Perhaps you can contact them and ask about the way they grow it and what it requires

razka3 · #6 03-31-2008, 01:33 PM

Just asked and all they could tell me was this...

This species occurs in northeast India & Thailand. It has climbing stems & several straplike leaves up to 10 in long. The horizontal or pendulous inflorescences arise opposite the leaves & are up to 4 in long. They will bear many purple fragrant long lasting flowers when blooming. Each flower will be about 1 in across, with the lip held uppermost. It usually blooms in the Spring. It prefers intermediate to warm growing conditions & watering should be regular throughout the year.

I guess I was looking for more information. Not even sure why! Just seems like it's lacking something.

Don Perusse · #7 03-31-2008, 11:37 PM

Like what? Maybe potting medium? Looks like they gave you the basics about the plant itself. The last line would do it for me.

razka3 · #8 04-01-2008, 12:23 PM

Well, in all the pictures I've seen of them, they are mounted, or just growing on the side of a tree. I guess more what I had in mind was...

Do they like to dry out between watering? I'm assuming yes because of the mounted situation.

I also read somewhere they need dry rest in winter but elsewhere water all year... just kind of conflicting information. There is no real authoritative source for this species.

Here's a pic of mine, which looks OK I guess. There were very few roots when it arrived, and one leaf has fallen off... some are kind of black on the ends... and yellowing. BUT - there is a new leaf coming out on top... so maybe all is well, and I just need to be patient and give it time to adjust.

I have it in 65-90% humidity, 1500FC, 60F-70F temp range for now... I'm sure it will change a lot in the summer.

Don Perusse · #9 04-01-2008, 12:57 PM

I think your mount looks great. Usually when there are so few roots I useually dunk in rootone and add a little spagh. to keep in place. Also holds a little moisture until it is established on the mount. Sometimes it does take a while to adjust to the new environment.

NatBosco · #10 04-01-2020, 03:32 PM

I got one of these two months ago from BotanicaLTD. I was told to spray with water and food daily and to provide similar conditions to those of Cattleya. I've been doing this but the plant looks distressed. The newest leaf rotted, and the other newer leaves look like they are in need of water. The newer roots seem healthy. I reached out to the grower for advice. I will post it here as soon as I get it. In the meantime any advice would be appreciated.