Cycnoches x mormodes

[Brenda Aarts]

Hi I have 2 different plants in this group and am trying to figure out whether I should keep watering or stop watering. I'm new to these types and any advice would be appreciated.


Picture #1

The cycnoches x mormodes just lost its leaves a few days ago and has sent out this keikii looking nub with a small root on the top of one of its bulbs. Do I stop watering till new roots are longer?

Picture #2
The wine delight - 2nd picture still has 3 leaves and has just started a new growth at the bottom. Do I keep watering cause it has not yet lost its leaves. Am I making this more complicated that it should be. I tried to read up on the culture but I didn't see my scenarios in there. Thanks for your help.

[s.kallima]

From what I read about this group of Orchids, you should no water until the roots are at least 5 to 7 cm lond (2 to 3 inches). At this time (new growth) no matter if the old pseudobulb still has leaves, you should not water.

[Bud]

Here is the culture that I follow to care for this kind of plants:

Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

[Brenda Aarts]

Hi Bud, Thanks. Yes, I had read that culture information, what was throwing me is that the 1 plant still has its leaves and the other just lost them...so in my opinion the one with leaves hasn't told me yet it wants to be left alone...and the other is just telling me that. Regardless, I will discontinue watering the leafless one for sure now for a while and the other reduce substantially. Thats my plan so far. Fred Clarke is coming to Canada and speaking to our orchid club in June and I can hardly wait. He's a good speaker, saw him 2 years ago. I may have to order a few more of these plants if I can figure them out!

[Bud]

listen to you instincts. the plant with leaves might not have a keiki but a spike... my plant flowered with a root growing at the base of the spike... it can be quite confusing.
when I saw no leaves coming out: I just watered it or my flowers might blast. true enough, it gave me five flowers as opposed to the other chlorochilon gave me just one bloom

at this point you may not know if its a spike or keikis...but then again the canes are full of nutrients that the plant can use for a couple of weeks even if you didnt water it.

[isurus79]

Definitely wait until the roots are about 3" long before you water.

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Definitely wait until the roots are about 3" long before you water.

Ok, this is killing me! The longest root on my mormodes cross is 3" and the others a bit shorter than that, picture attached. I think I'm going to start watering him unless I hear differently. The wine delight just has little stubby roots at the base of the old pbulb...but the spag is HARD AS A ROCK... what are your thoughts? Thanks for your help.

[isurus79]

I would definitely water the mormodes. You might want to spritz the other one as well. Super dry spag can actually pull some of the water out from the roots.

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I would definitely water the mormodes. You might want to spritz the other one as well. Super dry spag can actually pull some of the water out from the roots.

Ok, thanks Steve, Done and done. Now would you detach the new growth on the mormodes and plant in the spag? See how it is actually growing at the top of the pbulb, not at the bottom.

[isurus79]

No, I would leave it on the bulb. Maybe put some spag around the roots if possible though.