Laelia (Cattleya?) purpata watering

[SouthPark]

If consistently the roots that are growing into the media survive, while the other ones didn't survive (turned black) ------ then that would be something to look into -- such as the degree of growth of the surviving root into the media, and how well connected to the media those particular roots are ----- things like that.

Also considering humidity and rate of change of temperatures between two significantly different temperature levels.

And even considering that different kinds of orchids, and even different individuals (depending on conditioning etc) will have their own response to significant change in conditions that they're not adapted or accustomed to.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Also considering humidity and rate of change of temperatures between two significantly different temperature levels.

And even considering that different kinds of orchids, and even different individuals (depending on conditioning etc) will have their own response to significant change in conditions that they're not adapted or accustomed to.

Thanks. Yes, it's something I'll keep an eye out for. I've noticed how different plants of the same species can grow slightly differently. Interesting and a little frustrating.

My main question through all of this was if L. purpurata required a significantly different culture than so-called "standard" Cattleya conditions. At the time, the roots were still healthy and the media wasn't wet. I thought I may had been under-watering as some culture notes mentioned it required heavy watering. Afterwards, I likely went too far to the opposite end.

If standard cattleya conditions are fine, then repotting to a coarse media and lowering water frequency should hopefully help (and a breath of fresh, outdoor air!). The change in environment may have shocked it a bit, but it should be better in the long run.

Hopefully, I can share the plant in bloom in the near future...

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

If standard cattleya conditions are fine, then repotting to a coarse media and lowering water frequency should hopefully help (and a breath of fresh, outdoor air!).

Definitely Jeff. The purpurata will certainly handle coarse media. Also - I found that watering the media in a wide pot away from the most concentrated regions of roots (eg. away from the central regions of the pot) is quite workable and effective. This doesn't mean that we can't water the middle regions. We can - but just place some limit on it.