Sophronitis Cernua....slow grower? - Orchid Board

Gookis · #1 05-08-2008, 03:55 PM

My first two orchids (two more enroute

) were a Den. Bellatulum and a Soph. Cernua. The Den. B. is growing great!! New psuedobulbs with leaves growing out of them!

The Cernua hasn't changed in appearance one bit since I received it(approx 2 weeks). Conditions in enclosure are 78F during the day and about 65F at night. 60%-80% humidity always, allowing to dry slightly between waterings. Two 30watt, full spec CF bulbs about 8-10" from the chids

Am I expecting too much? The Cernua has a leaf that has been closed (folded in half) since I received it and has not changed at all. Any ideas? Thanks much!

Matt

Ross · #2 05-08-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gookis

My first two orchids (two more enroute

) were a Den. Bellatulum and a Soph. Cernua. The Den. B. is growing great!! New psuedobulbs with leaves growing out of them!

The Cernua hasn't changed in appearance one bit since I received it(approx 2 weeks). Conditions in enclosure are 78F during the day and about 65F at night. 60%-80% humidity always, allowing to dry slightly between waterings. Two 30watt, full spec CF bulbs about 8-10" from the chids

Am I expecting too much? The Cernua has a leaf that has been closed (folded in half) since I received it and has not changed at all. Any ideas? Thanks much!

Matt

Might be a might low on light. Mine is approx 3-4" from a 55 watt full spectrum CF bulb except when I put it out in the full sun. The leaves should have a purple tinge to the margins. Yes it is a slow grower.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 05-09-2008, 05:26 AM

I don't know if you're aware of this...but...your Sophronitis cernua is not a Pleurothallid, (maybe you were misinformed...???, or maybe it didn't matter where you wanted to post the thread...??? - which is okay). It's related to Cattleyas and Laelias.

If you're expecting them to grow as fast as many of the Pleuros out there, you will be disappointed.

And yes, Sophronitis cernua is a slow grower. You gotta give it more than two weeks to grow. It probably hasn't established itself yet.

It's an intermediate grower that will grow in bright shade to bright indirect light.

Dorothy · #4 05-09-2008, 09:32 AM

I moved this thread to the Cattleya alliance forum - Thanks King for pointing that out

.. I missed it

kiki-do · #5 05-09-2008, 09:41 AM

I've had my Sophronitis cernea since November 2007 and it hasn't grown at all either.

It came with two buds, but they blasted. Perhaps my grandchildren will see blooms (and I don't have grandchildren yet, nor do I have any daughter-in-laws yet).
But hey, it sure is a cute little guy.

Gookis · #6 05-10-2008, 01:14 AM

King of Orchids- I actually intended to post it in "miniatures" so my bad.

Dorathy- Thanks for moving me!

So it seems that patience is the best solution. It does have a slight purple margin to the leaves. I got so excited to see the progress with the Den. Bellatulum I really wanted the same with the Soph. Cernua. Thanks for the help again you guys!!

Matt

gmdiaz · #7 05-10-2008, 01:32 PM

I've had mine quite a while, maybe a year. . .and it's growing new leaves and roots but nary a bloom.

I've just moved it to higher light.

I am remaining hopeful but I am getting a little impatient. Not that it makes any difference how I feel about it. lolol

Ross · #8 05-10-2008, 01:58 PM

Gwen, I'm getting a third blast of new growth this spring on mine. But no flowers. I really suspect there is a step we are missing. Mine get lots of light all winter, well, all year. Purple leaves and all. Lots of new roots. Lots of growth. But no blossoms. Right now I'm not worried because I am after a really big plant, but eventually it would be nice to see the brilliant red of the blossoms. Wonder if it needs a winter rest?

Dorothy · #9 05-10-2008, 11:22 PM

You are very welcome

Akhenaten · #10 05-11-2008, 04:21 AM

I have 6 different Sophronitis:

Sophronitis brevipedunculata
Sophronitis violacea
Sophronitis cernua
Sophronitis grandiflora
Sophronitis coccinea
Sophronitis coccinea var. xanthoglossa

They are in my orchiterrarium since January 2008. They was delivered in -27 C frost, but they don't froze.
They live now on the branch of the filbert. And they have a lot of light, but they roots become dry fast. However they grow new bulbs, leaves and roots.
I watering them every day, and often fertilize.