Rupicolous laelias in moss? - Orchid Board

Claire25 · #1 07-14-2011, 10:45 PM

Does this sound ill-advised? The plants in question are a fournieri and a crispilabia, which I've ordered from Andy's and should receive tomorrow. I'm not sure what potting medium he uses (guess I'll find out tomorrow

) but I'm concerned that a r-e-a-l-l-y freedraining medium like gravel or aliflor is going to be too dry for my conditions...especially in the 2 or 3-inch pots that they're coming in. Would prefer to pot them into moss to simplify watering (for me) but if this is a no-no I'd appreciate your advice.

Whaddaya think?
Claire

PS I have a laelia sincorana in moss that's doing really well...it's not really a rupi, but it's the closest thing I have for comparison.

Call_Me_Bob · #2 07-14-2011, 10:49 PM

that kind of rings a bell to me. rupicolous laelias grow on rocks, so having them in moss just doesnt seem like a good idea. maybe put them in bark? more retentive than gravel but not *shudder* moss

Claire25 · #3 07-14-2011, 11:07 PM

Yeah, I know what you mean. In all the pics of their habitat I've looked at, I've yet to see anything remotely resembling a sphagnum bog.

I wonder how adaptable they are? I do have some bark on hand; it's seedling grade, with some perlite and charcoal mixed in.

Thanks!

Call_Me_Bob · #4 07-14-2011, 11:10 PM

hmm. i dont know about seedling grade bark. these plants really do like to dry out well before watering

Zoi2 · #5 07-14-2011, 11:15 PM

When you get your laelias from Andy they will be potted in a gravel medium in a clay pot. The plant should be fine in that pot for a year or two. These laelias MUST dry out.
Joann

silken · #6 07-14-2011, 11:27 PM

I got a Laelia tenebrosa from Miranda Orchids a few months back. He recommended potting it in NZ sphagnum in a clay pot with some charcoal at the bottom. He said he pots most of his Laelias this way. I was a bit nervous about it but for my conditions, it seems to be working just fine. Just today as a matter of fact, I removed the tape I was using as rhizome clips and it is nice and solid with lots of new roots visible and the latest growth has been growing just fine.

Miranda does sell rupiculous laelias so maybe if you e-mail them they could tell you what they do for another opinion.

glengary54 · #7 07-14-2011, 11:47 PM

Rupiculous laelias like it extremely bright, hot and dry. They thrive on total neglect. If you can't provide all three conditions, don't even bother.

calypsoB · #8 07-15-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glengary54

They thrive on total neglect.

I love this line! I laughed out loud and now I think I should get one of these orchids!

Claire25 · #9 07-15-2011, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glengary54

Rupiculous laelias like it extremely bright, hot and dry. They thrive on total neglect. If you can't provide all three conditions, don't even bother.

Haha, you pretty much exactly described my growing approach/environment.

Good to hear.

Zoi2, thanks for the heads-up regarding the gravel medium. I'm a little concerned about growing in rocks, as I am fully capable of killing cacti due to underwatering (though it has been a while

), but I will wait and see. Ten to one says I end up sneaking at least a little moss or bark into their gravel mix, though.

Thanks, everyone!
Claire

glengary54 · #10 07-15-2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire25

Haha, you pretty much exactly described my growing approach/environment.

Good to hear.

Zoi2, thanks for the heads-up regarding the gravel medium. I'm a little concerned about growing in rocks, as I am fully capable of killing cacti due to underwatering (though it has been a while

), but I will wait and see. Ten to one says I end up sneaking at least a little moss or bark into their gravel mix, though.

Thanks, everyone!
Claire

You may live to regret the addition of moss, unfortunately your plant may not.