Cattleya jongheana new division

[Dalachin]

Hi there. About a month ago I got a couple of Cattleya divisions from a grower. They came in plastic pots with large bark, and I haven’t disturbed the pots, other than to stake them for stability. I’ve been watering about twice a week when the medium is mostly dry. The one dubiously labeled “Nobilor” has a new growth, but the Jongheana has shown no new signs of growth and is looking more desiccated than when I received it. They hang out on my tented grow shelves near the other Cattleyas and encyclias.

I’m worried about the jongheana. Should I just be patient, or employ some other tactic… say adding some kelpak soaked spagnum near the rhizome?

[orchidman77]

Hi Dalachin - I think a combo of humidity, moderate light, and patience are your best best. Sounds like you are doing most of this already - i might soak the jongheana directly in a kelpak solution for 24 hrs instead of sphag at the rhizome for more direct application. I did that almost 2 years ago for a few divisions, and they began rooting a few weeks after that.

Keith Davis will give rootless divisions the "sphag and bag" treatment and place them under his growing benches and he has great success.

Good luck! It's such a relief once roots and new growth start.

[Louis_W]

In my opinion you should just keep watering them. As long as they arent getting worse just keep going.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by orchidman77

Hi Dalachin - I think a combo of humidity, moderate light, and patience are your best best. Sounds like you are doing most of this already - i might soak the jongheana directly in a kelpak solution for 24 hrs instead of sphag at the rhizome for more direct application. I did that almost 2 years ago for a few divisions, and they began rooting a few weeks after that.

Keith Davis will give rootless divisions the "sphag and bag" treatment and place them under his growing benches and he has great success.

Good luck! It's such a relief once roots and new growth start.

Seems like great advice!

[Dalachin]

Thanks for your advice! I’ll try soaking in kelpak then wait and see.

[orchidman77]

Good luck and keep us updated!

(I managed to snag an ugly original back division of Rlc. George King 'Serendipity' 2 years ago - and it is currently pushing out it's third and biggest post-division growth! Really crossing my fingers for a sheath/bloom this year!)