Myrmecatavola Frances Fox Root Tips Stop Growing

[Chani]

Hi all,

Although I first started growing orchids about 6 years ago and have posted here a few times, I still feel I am very much a beginner. To that end, here's what's likely a very simple question, and yet I can't find an answer to it.

What might cause a Cattleya or a Catt hybrid's root tips to stop growing? Or in my case, more specifically the Myrmecatavola Frances Fox. I purchased it a year or two ago. It was in a net pot, coming from Florida, with a ton of roots. I repotted it into a clear, slotted pot. That...was a poor decision. It has barely put out any roots since then and when I do finally see new root tips and get all excited, soon enough there goes my green tips. All white with no new growth. I imagine it has to do with watering - too little or too much. So which is it? What would cause the root tips to stop being active like that?

Thank you in advance to anyone who answers

[DirtyCoconuts]

so i have to make the disclaimer that we are in different universes in terms of growing conditions.

i have found that these roots like a lot more water than most people recommend giving them but they do NOT want to sit wet at all. i grow 8-10 schoms and probably another 20 or so plants with schom as a parent and at lest half are mounted on wood with no other medium.

the potted ones i use equal parts a lava rock, perlite (#4), charcoal and i soak the hell out of them every day that it does not rain.

i am guessing that your are drying out too much based on the way you are describing it- i would have said adjustment shock but 1-2 year...get your act together plant..

how is the general health of the plant? is it hydrated? leaves looking good? any new growth?

[Roberta]

For what it's worth, I have found that the Schomburkia hybrids - and species too - of either the Laelia or Myrmecophila group - don't particularly like media of any sort. You probably need to have some to maintain moisture, but large bark in a really well drained pot, or a basket even better if you can manage it, will help.

[Chani]

Thank you for the responses!

Dirty Coconuts: Yes, orchid itself looks very good. Pseudobulbs and leaves all look good and I have two new growths at the moment. It's just...those roots. Perhaps you're right and I'm drying them out too much.

Roberta: I have it in a mix of Medium Orchiata Monterey Pine Bark, Large Sponge Rock, Hydroton, and Medium Stalite. The pot itself has a lot of ventilation on the sides and the bottom. Do you think that's good enough?

And what I seem to be getting from both of you is that it needs a lot of air at the roots, but should be watered fairly frequently. Is that correct?

[Roberta]

Sounds like the medium is fine. And you are right... lots of air around the roots, which leads to quick drying. So you can water fairly often - especially in summer.

[DirtyCoconuts]

That’s my move. Wet, let dry, repeat daily

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Chani

I repotted it into a clear, slotted pot. That...was a poor decision.

Chani - more details may help to get better idea about whats happening there ----- such as photos of the currently existing roots, media used, temperature, humidity etc.

Also various photos of the orchid in its pot, and showing media conditions etc - can all help with the assessment of growing conditions.

[estación seca]

Here they grow almost no roots unless the evaporative cooler is running and humidity is high.

[Chani]

Roberta, Dirty Coconuts - Got it, thank you. I'll try watering more frequently.

Southpark - I'll try posting photos. I remember when I tried doing that in the past on orchidboard, it failed miserably. It looks like I may have succeeded this time, but all the photos are on their side - I apologize! As to the conditions, all my orchids are in front of a west-facing window. Temps vary. At the moment it tends to be between 60-80 degrees. Humidity is also variable. On average, ranges between 30-60%, although there's been times where it's above or below that range (right now it's 70%). It's funny because I know the Frances Fox is a partially a catt hybrid, yet the catts I currently have seem to be doing well. The medium I use is a mix of Medium Orchiata Monterey Pine Bark, Large Sponge Rock, Hydroton, and Medium Stalite.

estación seca - That's really interesting what you need to do to get your orchid to root. So essentially, it needs cooler and wet conditions?

[DirtyCoconuts]

i would not say cooler is a requirement as opposed to cooler in the root zone. it is hot as a gosh darn here too but never below 50% humidity and mine flourish

i have two from the same vendor ( i was too enthusiastic at an Orchid show) and they are both outside year round, slight differences in their culture to see which parent they favor.

this one is grown in the Schom zone and in a standard pot ( no side holes ) and on a tray

Francis fox by J Solo, on Flickr

Francis fox by J Solo, on Flickr


this one is with encylia and catts in a wider pot with wide holes and off the ground on a shelf

Francis fox by J Solo, on Flickr

Francis fox by J Solo, on Flickr


so it rained this morning at around 10 and it is now 2(ish) the medium is still moist and will be dry on the surface by night. I assume that as a result of the evaporation the temp in the pot should be at lease 5 degrees lower but i am not sure if that is accurate.