New Gongora chocoensis

[Taceas]

I just got a few new orchids in, I had a gift certificate to blow, and one of my new purchases is a Gongora chocoensis (with what looks to be a little bloom spike coming out of the side of the plant).

Do these guys like to be cramped and rootbound? It came in a 2.25" pot, and the entire pot seems to be nothing but roots. While looking for care tips and looking at pictures, I noticed most seem to be in small hanging baskets, with the basket looking ridiculously small, but the plants looked very happy.

I understand they like humidity around their feet, but not soggy, hence the baskets lined with moss around a small amount of potting medium, and covered again with moss. So I was thinking of recreating this with a 4" basket. Does that sound sufficient?

It was listed as fragrant, any of you guys have one of these, I'm curious to know what they smell like. I would guess chocolate hence the species name, but that could be misleading. lol

Thanks!

[Frdemetr]

Misty,

I regret disappoint you, but "chocoensis" means "from Chocó"; Chocó is a State (Departamiento) in western Colombia, when this Gongora was found.
Gongoras (and Stanhopeas) like wooden or wire baskets, and sphagnum moss is a good choice (as media). I don't know what Gga chocoensis smells like!

[isurus79]

Like Frederico said, spag and baskets work best for these guys. Dont forget to post pics when you get flowers!! Ive got a leucochila thats spiking as well!! Should be a good summer.

[Paul]

Mine was never fragrant. The flowers were quite large though -- about 2X the size of the flowers I have seen on some other species.

Unfortunately I lost the plant some time back.

[moogiemama]

Good info since I also have one of these and am planning to re-pot it very soon. I was happy to learn they have large blossoms. Maybe instead of the sphagnum moss, I will try some coconut fiber to line the basket. Is smaller better?

[Paul]

Most of the Gongs I've seen anymore are in moss-filled baskets -- an fairly roomy ones at that. Mine was in a plastic pot with bark. I don't know for certain but suspect mine didn't stay moist enough in my conditions with that media.

[moogiemama]

Thanks , Paul. I will remember this when I get going on the rest of my repotting. -Lynn

[Randy]

Greetings All!

I saw a Gongora at the Longwood show yesterday (not this particular one) that was absolutely gorgeous that was not in any baset at all. As a matter of fact it didn't appear to have any root mass??!! It was just a clump of pseudobulbs with beautiful leaves and tons of big brown flowers. I couldn't believe it was so nice!!

Kudos to that grower!!

It was in the SEPOS exhibit. I was astounded!

I grow my Gongoras in sphagnum mixed with a good cymbidium mix for a bit of drainage. The have never been happy if they get too root bound in a container because they need to be watered too frequently, as in greater than once per day.

Randy

[bcub30]

I have Gongora truncata. It is currently in an 8 inch plastic net basket with sphagnum. I never truly let it dry out. It likes to be kept moist and in a somewhat shaded location. The blooms have a very strong scent that reminds me of pineapples.

Scott

[Taceas]

Well the flower spike is getting longer now, but the roots are really starting to grow out of the pot. I truly feel sorry for the poor thing. I feel like giving it a Chinese nickname because it reminds me of those Chinese ladies with the feet crammed in hideously small shoes.

As was mentioned by someone else, the mass of roots really dry what little substrate there is out in short order. So I've been watering it every other day with rain water, which it seems to enjoy.

I've got a 4" basket for it to be potted up into when it gets done flowering. Do you think that's sufficient, or should I go bigger?

Here are a few pictures I just took for you guys to see it. I have its pot sitting in a small glass basically to get it up so the spike can grow down, the water also adds to the humidity around the plant a bit, and keeps it from tipping over. lol