Gongora tricolor wilting after potting.... puzzled - Orchid Board

stefpix · #1 07-28-2010, 06:13 PM

I got a clump of bare root Gongora tricolor on sale. It looked nice. I potted in 3 different baskets / pots with moist sphagnum but the leaves started to turn brown and limp a day later. 2 under fluorescents and 1 on a southern window. Wonder if I should have not watered and left dry or on top of the sphagnum instead of burying the roots.
The larger clump felt like it absorbed too much water
any advice? Would like to save it.
I have never seen a plant react so quickly.
I hope it gets some new growths. what is the habit of this? i can post photos later.

stefano

Aceetobe · #2 07-28-2010, 07:27 PM

I think you probably did the right thing. Depending on when it was pulled from its pot (was this an import?), the plant is probably responding how it should - its trying to preserve water until it gets new roots. Most gongoras take a copious amount of water, so I thinks sphagnum is a good potting medium. I'm sure it will send a new growth out soon....you'd be surprised how quickly they can grow.

I find they also like good humidity and not too much air movement.

stefpix · #3 07-28-2010, 07:32 PM

thanks for the reply. it was in a box for sale . many clumps. The largers one had the roots and a smaller growth get mushy. wonder if it was shocked by wet sphagnum.

Would it help get one of those clear supermarket clear bags for loose produce on top of the pot to increase humidity? I heard they keep humidity in but allow air exchange now i have 3 small pots. i moved the pb on top of the sphag... How much light do they need ?

how many PB have to be in a plant to bloom?

Gin · #4 07-28-2010, 08:59 PM

I have a large one in a slat basket in Sphag. they like to be moist .. if new potted I would shade it . mine gets medium light not direct sun the thin leaves are fragile I don't remember how big it was when it bloomed for the first time ..

isurus79 · #5 08-02-2010, 04:49 PM

I would not worry about it too much. Like Aceetobe said, its probably just reacting to being dry for a long period of time. You should get a flush of new growths at some point, though it might not be until spring.

stefpix · #6 08-02-2010, 07:21 PM

Actually some pseudo bulbs turned brown and dry / soft as well. been misting. never seen anything like that. hope one of the 5 / 6 pb grows new growth. Wrote Oak hill they said they would send me a replacement if I place an order, I am looking and being indecisive. and they are going on vacation till mid august... All the other plants from them are healthy. Actually I wish I got 2 / 3 cheap plants more from them. cheaper than on their site.

anyway puzzled about this gongora. never seen something going down hill so quickly.

isurus79 · #7 08-02-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

Actually some pseudo bulbs turned brown and dry / soft as well. been misting. never seen anything like that. hope one of the 5 / 6 pb grows new growth. Wrote Oak hill they said they would send me a replacement if I place an order, I am looking and being indecisive. and they are going on vacation till mid august... All the other plants from them are healthy. Actually I wish I got 2 / 3 cheap plants more from them. cheaper than on their site.

anyway puzzled about this gongora. never seen something going down hill so quickly.

Sounds like it is just reacting to the dryness of the box and has gone into a dormant state. I would water it moderately, not mist. Misting IMO doesn't do anything. Any pics?

stefpix · #8 08-02-2010, 07:41 PM

The sphag was moist and I initially watered... But since it did not have too many roots I did not want to make the sphag too soggy. Will take pics later...

stefpix · #9 08-03-2010, 05:08 PM

I am uploading some photos. The only healthy looking leaf PB is between the stick and the other. It is 3 different pots.

I do not understand. The other plants I bought they all look happy and are seedlings. Most of these PB feel like dry. I misted and watered without making the medium soggy. One green leaf left.

isurus79 · #10 08-04-2010, 02:17 AM

Oh man. I hate to say it but that poor little guy is toast.