Lc. Mini Purple 'Blue' x L. dayana v. coerula - Orchid Board

stonedragonfarms · #1 08-27-2008, 03:38 PM

This is the first bud to open on this little guy; there are 4 more coming on the other growths, so it will be quite something if I manage to get them all open at once. Enjoy.
Adam

Royal · #2 08-27-2008, 04:31 PM

Sweet! Looks very well grown. Kudos!

smweaver · #3 08-27-2008, 05:53 PM

Beautiful plant and flowers, Adam. Mind giving some cultural information regarding how you're growing it, please? I have an Lc. Aloha Case that, although a great growers, refuses to flower. I'm pretty sure that both it and the plant you're growing share some of the same species in their backgrounds. Thanks!

Steve

cb977 · #4 08-27-2008, 06:33 PM

Nicely done, Adam!

Ross · #5 08-27-2008, 06:34 PM

Really nice. If I were into 'fluffy' orchids like this, it might be a keeper. Size is right.

Chubidubi · #6 08-27-2008, 07:57 PM

Lovely colors.

stonedragonfarms · #7 08-27-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Beautiful plant and flowers, Adam. Mind giving some cultural information regarding how you're growing it, please? I have an Lc. Aloha Case that, although a great growers, refuses to flower. I'm pretty sure that both it and the plant you're growing share some of the same species in their backgrounds. Thanks!

Steve

Steve: Thanks for the compliment. As far as culture goes, this grows under shade cloth (about 30%) out in my greenhouse; it is potted in rockwool in a tall cymbidium pot. From about mid May until mid October I water 5-6 times per week, usually in the mid-afternoon. I usually fertilize with every watering, I use MSU formula plus one of three supplements (K-L-N, Superthrive or S.T.E.M.) in rotation for three weeks, followed by a week of plain water and then a week of water and fish emulsion (I use the descented Alaska brand, which still smells ungodly...) Summer day temps in the GH usually run between 85-90F, most nights it is down in the low 70's/upper 60's, unless we are having a heat spell. I basically rest the plant from Halloween to Valentine's Day, giving it an occasional watering (maybe 2x per month), and as I primarily grow cymbidiums, it grows cool/cold all winter--the GH will get up to 75F on a sunny day, but averages around 59F during the day, and 43-45F at night. Fans circulate air 24 hours, and the GH will vent itself at 76F. I do not use any supplemental lighting. Hope this helps!
Adam

smweaver · #8 08-28-2008, 08:31 AM

Thanks, Adam. Yes, that helps. Mine is pretty much grown the same as yours is during the warmer months. It sits outside with the other orchids (mostly cattleya and aerides species, with a few odds and ends--a monster cymbidium, a couple of clowesias, a brassavola and a dendrobium) and gets lots of direct morning sun, along with numerous waterings each week. I also use the MSU fertilizer. The one area where yours is grown differently is the winter rest/cool period. Although I don't grow mine cool, the temperatures is the sunroom over the winter are typically much lower than the high 80's to low 90's the plants experience in the summer. I might try and rest the plant a bit more this fall and winter, along with finding it a cooler spot, to see if that coaxes it to bloom. Thanks again for your feedback.

Steve

Don Perusse · #9 08-28-2008, 11:00 AM

Poor Ross, he doesn't like fluff! He just doesn't know what he is missing....but then again he has all the pics. on OB to enjoy. It's a beautiful little plant. Minis are great as you can pack more in. I basically use the same formula for fert. except I use Cal-mag instead of fish emulsion. I was surprised that you water so frequently (5-6 times a week) Here in the deep south I still only water about once every 4-5 days. What works, works!