New Orchids From Andy's - Cattleya colnagoi and Cattleya longipes

[Lil Duck]

Hello again
I just received Cattleya (Hoffmannseggella, Sophronitis, Laelia, Etc) colnagoi and longipes (syn lucasiana) from Andy's Orchids today and just unpacked them (Excellent packing by the way). I was expecting them to be just a bunch of pseudobulbs like a resting orchid normally would be, however when I received them the C. colnagoi had a new growth sprouting up and the C. longipes had two maturing growths, yet to unfold their leaf . This makes me wonder whether to keep it indoors where the warmer temperatures would be more like that of the Brasillian growing season or outside like how they had been growing at Andy's ( Encinitas at 69 - 48 tomorrow and my place at 64 - 53)

I am also confused by the timing of these growths, do Rupicolous whatever's usually grow new growths during the winter or is this considered unusual. I would appreciate input from any who have grown these species or other rupicolous whatever's, expecialy from those who grow them outside year-round.

Thanks in advance - Lil Duck

[Lil Duck]

Because I did not receive anyone opinions on the matter I did what I thought was the best course of action. As the root systems were not the best I gave them a soak in some kelpak solution (Thanks Ray!!) I also discovered that I actually had two Cattleya colnagoi in the same 2 inch pot and that the one with the new growth was the smallest one. After giving them a soak I repotted them into a bark mix with the two C. colnagoi’s going in 2 inch clay pots and the C. longipes in a 3 inch slotted plastic pot. I am keeping them inside and plan on watering every three days to mimic the growing season.

If anyone has any further contributions I would highly appreciate it.

[Toadwally]

Hi Lil duck,

If they're to grown like other laelias, I would follow a wet-dry-wet-dry pattern to watering, with roots drying fast. Can't go wrong with 60F nights. Water/mist in mornings.

[Roberta]

Inside is likely unnecessarily warm though they will probably enjoy the pampering. At Andy's they grow outside in a shade house (very light shade - actually quite bright, one of the least-protected areas in the nursery, southern exposure) I grow my "rupis" outside too. They are very cold tolerant. Maybe shelter from the current incessant rain, they don't like to be soggy. Once the sun comes out, they'll be fine without protection. But Andy usually pots them in plain pea gravel, so drainage is good. My colnagoi (whatever the genus du jour) is my most vigorous of my rupis. I haven't noticed any particular "rest". And I recall that they put out new growth several times a year, including winter. Great choices!

I try to mimic nature when I pot them... a layer of gravel, a very thin layer of sphag, a thin layer of cactus mix potting soil, then top it off with more gravel. The spah is just there to keep the soil layer from washing out. But that's how they grow... mostly on bare rock, with roots poking down into cracks to find moisture, coolness, and organic matter

[Lil Duck]

Ok I will put them outside when the rains die down, don't want to risk it right now as my Den. kingianum was recently knocked over by some very strong winds we experienced this morning, and theses are tiny tiny baby orchids as well as a fall probably resulting in broken pots.

[isurus79]

Are all the plants exhibiting active root growth on the new bulbs?

[Lil Duck]

No but as they had already fallen out of their pots I decided to just repot them anyways. I am currently doing the rootless kelpak regimen and will probably do a flush with coffee as I believe there could be some snail damage (although I am not certain)

Edit : The Cattleya longipes is likely to start growing roots very soon as both new growths are nearing the point where the leaf would open. I did not cut off any roots and only lightly washed them in water.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Lil Duck

No but as they had already fallen out of their pots I decided to just repot them anyways. I am currently doing the rootless kelpak regimen and will probably do a flush with coffee as I believe there could be some snail damage (although I am not certain)

Edit : The Cattleya longipes is likely to start growing roots very soon as both new growths are nearing the point where the leaf would open. I did not cut off any roots and only lightly washed them in water.

I was going to say that repotting at the wrong time can really set these guys back. But if they fell out of the pot already, might as well keep that ball rolling! lol

[Clawhammer]

I'd call Andy and ask about the conditions they were in immediately prior to shipping.

[Lil Duck]

That was the first question I asked when I emailed them, they replied " I do grow them all outside and here is a list of what I have available pots are noted as such and ST denotes stick mounts. these can be ordered by phone"