Cattleya violacea 'Muse' spring project

[smweaver]

This is a new acquisition, so I can't take any credit for its (to me) impressive size. Twenty-two fully leafed growths (many of which are just over a foot tall), including four leads. I was even able to cut off a fairly large and fully established piece that will hopefully grow into another decent-sized plant. I have not tried this species before, so this will either be a great learning experience to be proud of, or an exercise in futility.

[SADE2020]

Looks great... !

[isurus79]

Wow, very cool! Will you do a cultural experiment with one of the pieces?

[smweaver]

What kind of cultural experiment?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by smweaver

What kind of cultural experiment?

I’m not sure! I think I’d try one in s/h or some other media I’d been thinking about.

[smweaver]

Well, the fact that it's now in my care probably qualifies as a "cultural experiment." I don't grow any truly warm-growing species. Everything in my collection appreciates (or at least tolerates) winter lows between 50 and 55 F at night--which is, from everything I've read--way below what this species will tolerate.

I've also never grown anything hydroponically or semi-hydroponically. I currently have the violacea in the master bathroom, in front of a large window and seated on an electric seedling propagation mat, with a very small oscillating fan plugged in nearby. All of this was viewed skeptically by my husband. But when I innocently stated that a halogen grow light might come in handy, he made a point of looking at our dog and mentioning that it's just a matter of time before we see our first marijuana plant. So, taking the hint, I'll try to grow this new addition without too much fuss or attention in order to avoid being served with divorce papers.

[DirtyCoconuts]

maybe grow that weed plant...chill him out LOL


looks like a beast plant! good luck

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Well, the fact that it's now in my care probably qualifies as a "cultural experiment." I don't grow any truly warm-growing species. Everything in my collection appreciates (or at least tolerates) winter lows between 50 and 55 F at night--which is, from everything I've read--way below what this species will tolerate.

I've also never grown anything hydroponically or semi-hydroponically. I currently have the violacea in the master bathroom, in front of a large window and seated on an electric seedling propagation mat, with a very small oscillating fan plugged in nearby. All of this was viewed skeptically by my husband. But when I innocently stated that a halogen grow light might come in handy, he made a point of looking at our dog and mentioning that it's just a matter of time before we see our first marijuana plant. So, taking the hint, I'll try to grow this new addition without too much fuss or attention in order to avoid being served with divorce papers.

Fair enough! An experiment it is!

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

maybe grow that weed plant...chill him out LOL

That's not a bad suggestion, actually.

[Orchidtinkerer]

So are you planning to grow this one hydroponically then or why mention you have never done it as it looks like it is currently potted in bark?
I thought I'd heard of most the grow lights, high pressure sodium, metal halide, compact fluorescents, T5 and T8 flurescent tubes, led lights but not sure how efficient a halogen grow light would be.

I use aquarium led lights which don't use much electricity at all and they have a nice white daylight spectrum so make the growing area more appealing. Like far more appealing.

Even if the led lights wouldn't benefit the plants (which they do lots as we don't get as much sunlight here) I would still use most of them!

It's the heating that is always a necessary annoyance, lighting with led lights is practically free they are so efficient these days.