Soph. cernua-- input appreciated

[bethmarie]

I'm puzzled by my cernua, and posting some pictures in hope that some of you may have some experience with this one that'll help. It has lost a leaf or two, and the light colored ones in the photos are going to be lost too. At the same time it has some good new roots, and a growth that I believe is going to flower. I grow it under CF light, ultrasonic humidifier keeps humidity around 60% in the room. Have an oscillating fan for air movement, so it gets watered with RO and the recommended concentration of Jack's classic fert. when it dries, usually every other day to every two days. I've seen some beautiful pictures of your project cernuas with healthy green leaves....got any advice on how to make the leaves on mine happier?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You are probably going to be the one to give advice real soon!

Your plant is for the most part fine. The yellowing may be from older leaves. If more leaves turn yellow too rapidly, increase the distance you have them growing under the lights a little.

One of the pseudobulbs have buds emerging from one of the new leaves, and will be in bloom in a couple months or so.

The purple pigmentation (anthocyanin pigment) signifies it is getting strong lighting, but it is definitely getting good enough light to bloom!

It may need a little more water than you're providing though.

Congratulations!

[Magnus A]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

You are probably going to be the one to give advice real soon!

Your plant is for the most part fine. The yellowing may be from older leaves. If more leaves turn yellow too rapidly, increase the distance you have them growing under the lights a little.

One of the pseudobulbs have buds emerging from one of the new leaves, and will be in bloom in a couple months or so.

The purple pigmentation (anthocyanin pigment) signifies it is getting strong lighting, but it is definitely getting good enough light to bloom!

It may need a little more water than you're providing though.

Congratulations!

Second the above!

Though the yellowing leaves can be due to standing water due to the papery sheats around the pseudobulbs covering the base of the leaves.
- Looking out for standing water.
- Do not increase the light, it looks perfect!
- Increase the amount of time it is wet at every watering slightly, not the intervals of watering.

You are doing fine with this one!

/M

[silken]

I wonder if you are fertilizing too often if you do it ever couple of days.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm not well versed with the brand of fertilizer she mentions. It may be a less concentrated type of fertilizer, idk.

[bethmarie]

thank you Philip, Magnus, and Silken. I think a little too much light may be the culprit, and possibly a little too little water. It's a really small plant, and the number of leaves it's losing is high relative to the number of leaves it actually has. Jack's classic is a fertilizer used at low concentration at every watering. After weighing the many different approaches to fertilizing, I decided that made the most sense to me. Thank you all for steering me in a direction that will help my wee sophronitis. Hopefully I'll be posting pics of a bloom before too long!

[Magnus A]

Beth, your plant may not be a specimen plant but it is not small for a S. cernua. I count 18 leaves + x pseudobulbs withput leaves. As S. cernua are sold regularly with less than 5 pseudobulbs as matured plants you have a decent one !

[sailortom2]

I believe these lke to stay moist....check out andys orchids grow tips for them

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Beth, your plant may not be a specimen plant but it is not small for a S. cernua. I count 18 leaves + x pseudobulbs withput leaves. As S. cernua are sold regularly with less than 5 pseudobulbs as matured plants you have a decent one !

Very true. When I got one, it was something like 3 mature pseudobulbs, and 1 or 2 leads, something on that order.

You are very lucky to have a fairly good sized Soph cernua.