Smaller Pbulbs and Leaves

[GardenTheater]

Last year, I bought this L. Anceps from SBOE. It had 5 pbulbs and 2 spikes of 5 buds when it arrived. The bulbs looked as if they had been getting progressively larger at SBOE.

It's my first Catt and since I've had had, it grew 4 new pbulbs and 3 spikes. The pbulbs and leaves are smaller than the last few grown at SBOE and the spikes are shorter. Flowers are same size. The smaller size actually works better in my limited growing space, but should I be concerned about the long term health of the plant? Is it on a decline?

Here are photos:
Laelia anceps | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Laelia anceps | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It's grown in a western window shaded by a tree. The outdoor light is supplemented with a fluorescent grow light that's on about 12 hours a day. The light can get up to 8000 FC but with tree it doesn't stay there long enough to brown leaves. There is a fan running during the day. The lowest temp was 59F and the highest 98F. (We don't run AC when we're not home.) Humidity tends to stay around 50% and temps are usually between 67F and 78F.
Whew, that's a lot of info. Do you think it's ok to grow it under these conditions or is the plant declining? SBOE said to grow it outdoors, but spider mites are regulars outside. What do you think?

[tucker85]

As long as the orchid is growing and blooming, I wouldn't worry about the smaller leaves. Commercial growers can provide the perfect conditions to grow a plant. Those of us that purchase the plants are usually stuck with the conditions we have unless we want to go to great expense. Modern orchids are pretty tough and many can adapt to a less than perfect environment. If you do decide to change anything about the way you grow them, do it gradually. Good luck.

[GardenTheater]

Thanks for the reality check. It will be fun to watch it grow.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's not a decline. Plants are "plastic". They readily adapt to their growing environment that fall within their reasonable ranges.

More light can sometimes get the plant to produce smaller leaves in order to limit the amount of light it receives.

Sometimes it could be a lack of sufficient water (not always).

I'd advise much the same, just keep growing it until you get the hang of the plant's needs.

[GardenTheater]

Thanks Philip. When summer comes, I will need to check the light readings. My notes are from April '11.