Laelia Tenebrosa

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Here's a couple of photos of my tenebrosa...never bloomed, maybe because it's still too small...or because the HR is too low... or because night temps are too high...or all of these.
But has been growing well...in fact there's a new growth right now.

Looks like about right rbarata - as in the right size. I think the leaves on mine are about the same size as yours, and my latest growth has a big sheath. It was originally growing in South East Queensland early this year - this is the one I purchased in January on impulse hahaha ----- when I was firm-set that I wasn't going to buy any orchids - mainly because taking them back on the plane could be too much trouble.

I ended up just putting it in a big plastic shopping bag with leaves popping out, and took it onboard the plane. Other passengers quite liked seeing the orchid leaves poke out the top. Maybe provided a relaxing mood heheh.

Anyway - I'm just thinking that your orchid is fine. Or looks great actually. I just have mine in North East Queensland conditions - and the lighting is morning sun --- up to late morning. As for the sheath on mine, I only start getting hopeful when sheaths progress to final bud stage - or when the buds actually open. The 'will believe it when I see it' school-of-thought hahaha.

I reckon your plant is ready for action.

[JScott]

LOL I'm not gonna bother to post a pic of mine. It's maybe 5 inches tall. It has a long way to go before it looks like yours, but it has great parents, so I expect great things from it.

[Minivin5]

Originally Posted by JScott

LOL I'm not gonna bother to post a pic of mine. It's maybe 5 inches tall. It has a long way to go before it looks like yours, but it has great parents, so I expect great things from it.

On the two growths that flowered for me, the leaves are 12”x2.5” and the growths are as fat as I have ever seen them...

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by JScott

LOL I'm not gonna bother to post a pic of mine. It's maybe 5 inches tall. It has a long way to go before it looks like yours, but it has great parents, so I expect great things from it.

JS ...... a pic of that orchid would fit in nicely here! I think even if 1 inch tall ..... definitely worth seeing.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

JS ...... a pic of that orchid would fit in nicely here! I think even if 1 inch tall ..... definitely worth seeing.

You asked for it, so here it is lol. He's a happy, cute little plant. He's going to grow up and be big and beautiful... in about 6 or 7 years haha. But I'm patient. It will be worth the wait.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by JScott

You asked for it, so here it is lol. He's a happy, cute little plant. He's going to grow up and be big and beautiful... in about 6 or 7 years haha. But I'm patient. It will be worth the wait.

I don't think it will be quite that long... maybe 3 or 4 years. It could surprise you!

[SouthPark]

That's awesome JS. Thanks for showing that photo. That is really progessing along very nicely.

Totally agree ---- it definitely could surprise you.

[JScott]

Yes, I know 6 or 7 years is probably an overly pessimistic estimate, but I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I want him to take his time and bloom only when he is ready, whether that's three years or more

[DirtyCoconuts]

i am confident that it will progress at or near its peak potential in your care!

[JScott]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

i am confident that it will progress at or near its peak potential in your care!

I appreciate your vote of confidence, but the fact is that I do still occasionally kill a plant haha. I've been making some changes to my growing habits lately to help combat that, and it's been a very long time since I killed a Cattleya. I'm pretty good with those. I know I can get this one to work out. You know how some plants, for various reasons, are just more special to you than others? This plant is special to me. It took a long time for me to find not just any tenebrosa, but the right tenebrosa. I have seen some pretty lousy tenebrosas, so I wanted one with known parentage of high quality. The boys over at Marlow's helped me find such a plant (they have such great customer service), so this one is special to me, and of course I take extra care with the plants that are special to me. This one is gonna have a good, long life for sure.