Hi Anthony -
Regarding Mormodes; I don't have any 'straight' Mormodes species, but have a couple of Cycnodes (Mormodes x Cycnoches). I had not thought much about it, but these plants very consistently seem to grow very well for 3-4 years, bloom after the first or second year, and then rot at the base of the pseudobulbs, either the first or second blooming year.
I cut or break them off at the rotted spot, dip in elemental sulfur or rootone-type product (cinnamon would probably work, too), and mount the cutting the next spring, and it usually makes new growths, and the cycle begins again.
I don't think I have had any of the Cycnodes last more than 4 years without doing it. And I don't have this problem with the other catasetinae. It might be just coincidence, or maybe this is just some Mormodes-related idiosyncracy.
Or perhaps I am doing something horribly, horribly wrong!
Regards - Nancy
|