Sedirea Japonica myounghwan not growing - Orchid Board

Freddie · #1 01-26-2012, 06:51 PM

Hi all,

hope someone can help me with this one. First of all, I need help because I have become a bit of an orchid addict... But I suppose I am at the wrong place to get help with that

Seriously now, I bought a Sedirea Japonica myounghwan a couple of years ago, and my problem is that it is doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is not growing either leaves, roots let alone flowers. It is not dying. It is completely unresponsive...

I have gone on the internet and could not find any helpful tips as they all seem to say different things: draft, no draft; cold, warm; bright light, medium light and so on.

I have tried everything. Grown it by a west facing window, north facing window, under fluorescent light. Cool and warm. No matter what I do, it is just not doing anything. Sometimes I sort of wished it would die, at least that would be a response :/

The only thing I have done that completely contradicts what I have read is that I have repotted it into bark the very first time I got it, but most websites recommend moss (I have to say I hate growing in moss as I struggle to control watering).

Now I have had my ups and downs with orchids, but never have I had one that just doesn't do anything. Unless the thing is artificial, I am at loss.

Any suggestions?

Leafmite · #2 01-26-2012, 09:04 PM

I have a different type of sedirea japonica and I have mine in lava rock and net pot. In the winter, I give it a south-facing window, up close with the vandas. In the summer, it goes outside and gets quite a bit of light (not direct noonday, though). It grows like my vandas, lots of crazy roots, the leaves come one at a time. Maybe yours needs more light?
Leafmite

Merlyn · #3 01-26-2012, 09:32 PM

I grow mine in 50/50 sphagnum moss/fir bark. They are slow growers so lower your expectations and you'll be okay. Mine has tripled its size but took 6 years to do it !!! I grow it under florescent lights on a SE window shelf and when the moss gets crunchy dry, I water. Right now it's about every 4 or 5 days.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 01-27-2012, 12:28 AM

They grow only a little bit faster than most Phals do. So, yeah, what Merlyn said about them being slow growing is 100% fact, and this will not deviate much wherever you turn to.

orchidsarefun · #5 01-27-2012, 12:43 AM

1) its mounted, no moss
2) its in a SF window, getting sun for about 4 hrs
3) temp is controlled - down to about 60f overnight ( Winter treatment )
4) misting every 4/5 days
5) fertilising, weakly, every 2 weeks

I have had it for a few months and I bought it potted. The roots are now growing crazy, lots of growth. No new leaf growth or any visible. I am hoping for flowers in Spring, but we will see.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 01-27-2012, 12:53 AM

They are temperature tolerant - (36 F - 95 F)

Bright shade to moderately bright indirect light.

Can grow potted or mounted.

When I had one, I was growing it outdoors all year round and watered it quite often.

Since you live in a different part of the world, I cannot recommend what I did for watering. You'll have to figure out how little or often to water according to your growing area's climate. A safe guideline would be to water 3 - 4 times a week during the warm months. Water 2 - 3 times a week during the cooler months. Again, they're guidelines, not rules and can change drastically depending on what your growing area is like.

Merlyn · #7 01-27-2012, 02:43 AM

Philip is right, every environment is different and you have to figure yours out.

camille1585 · #8 01-27-2012, 08:58 AM

I would put it back in a bright spot, they do like lots of bright indirect light, even a few hours of sun early/late in the day. And like mentioned previously, they are SLOW. I've had my current one a year, and it's only just finishing up a new leaf it started shortly after getting it. Sometimes all that is needed to jump start root growth on a lot of orchids is misting the surface of the medium every day. The extra humidity seems to be more favorable to root growth.

As to the conflicting cultural info you read, most of it is true, in their natural habitat in Japan. They grow somewhat warm most of the year, while winters are chilly (temperature range Philip gave). However the cold period is not crucial, they grow fine in cultivation in year round warm temps although some growers recommend the cold period to force the plant to rest and not bloom to death. As for light, in the habitat it is usually medium intensity dappled light, but they get high light in the winter due to the trees they live on being deciduous. So as you can see, it varies a lot!

As for the sphag recommendation, I think that mainly stems from the fact that it is the traditional medium used in Japan for growing these.

One thing I would do is to avoid moving the plant too much. Pick a location, and stick with it for at least 3-4 months (unless the plant really doesn't like it). With slow growing plants it can take time to see effects, especially at this time of year.

Don't give up!!