Cyc. cooperi - Extreme edema

[isurus79]

Here's an update on a recent Cycnoches imported from Peru. I talk about when it's appropriate to start watering. Also, I show how this plant is very affected by edema (also called oedema). Anyone have extreme edema on a plant that isn't getting watered? Any idea why? Is it a nutrient imbalance or stomata not opening?

https://youtu.be/BuvIevF7Yk0

[Ray]

The first question is - is it truly edema?

It sure looks like it, but that is typically caused by excessive water uptake paired with inhibited transpiration. With a plant that hasn't been watered, the first isn't very likely, and I really doubt your humidity is so high that it results in the second, so that point in the direction of overfertilization.

If that is the case, it may have happened prior to you obtaining the plant, stored in the old pseudobulbs/canes, and is not showing up as the leaves expand.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

The first question is - is it truly edema?

It sure looks like it, but that is typically caused by excessive water uptake paired with inhibited transpiration. With a plant that hasn't been watered, the first isn't very likely, and I really doubt your humidity is so high that it results in the second, so that point in the direction of overfertilization.

If that is the case, it may have happened prior to you obtaining the plant, stored in the old pseudobulbs/canes, and is not showing up as the leaves expand.

Inheriting cultural issues from the previous grower is not something I'd considered before!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Inheriting cultural issues from the previous grower is not something I'd considered before!

Yeah, in plants that are active growers, it's easy to discern their history; dormant ones???

Although... I believe you said it was from Equagenera, and they are not known for overdosing their plants.

[isurus79]

This one is from PeruFlora....and it's gigantic!! lol

[StephaneL]

In the video you mention that you will force early dormancy to sync the plant to our hemisphere. May I ask why you decided to go that way, rather than trying to extend the growing period in the summer?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by StephaneL

In the video you mention that you will force early dormancy to sync the plant to our hemisphere. May I ask why you decided to go that way, rather than trying to extend the growing period in the summer?

Probably just easier to show you! It's advice given to me by Fred Clarke: https://youtu.be/O5dtzuVAemA

[Ray]

Originally Posted by isurus79

This one is from PeruFlora....and it's gigantic!! lol

OK. Thanks. I thought you said it was from a South American grower, but I apparently remembered incorrectly.

Either way, would you expect them to dose their plants? Wouldn’t doing so tend to result in breaking dormancy?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

OK. Thanks. I thought you said it was from a South American grower, but I apparently remembered incorrectly.

Either way, would you expect them to dose their plants? Wouldn’t doing so tend to result in breaking dormancy?

Unfortunately, I don't know what PeruFlora's feeding regimen looks like. They aren't great at communication with customers and have actually taken money from me without sending plants, so I only buy from them when I see them at a show.

[orchidman77]

I can't speak to your specific circumstance (edema without watering), but my cooperi showed the exact same edema symptoms during its growing season last year. The plant still bloomed with 13 flowers (it was a first-year SVO purchase, too!) and otherwise seems perfectly healthy! It's starting to break dormancy now, in fact. I'll keep an eye on the leaves this year - my growing tent humidity is high. I'm new with Cycnoches and Catasetinae so am also quite curious.

David