Rhyncholaelia digbyana - Orchid Board

Chris147 · #1 05-16-2011, 06:13 PM

Hello all. Some of you may remember that i bought a rhyncholaelia digbyana division a few months ago from a friend in Colorado. When I got it some of the bark in the pot had fallen out, so I decided to repot it. The plant is in sheath as we speak, but it has stopped growing. The plant grew for about 2 weeks after I repotted it then it just stopped. I compared pictures from a month ago to today and the new growth has not changed a bit. Is there anything that I can do to make this plant start growing again? Any help or advice is appreciated.

This is how the plant looked right after i got it and repotted it.

This is how the plant looked a month ago and still today.

WhiteRabbit · #2 05-16-2011, 07:24 PM

I don't grow this particular plant, but have a couple times received plants in sheath, or with a tiny spike, that just sat there doing nothing for some time, until I moved them into brighter light, then things got moving.

I'm sure others who are familiar with this plant can give more specific advice

shadytrake · #3 05-16-2011, 07:34 PM

More light.

It is the growing and blooming season for those here. I put mine as close to the T5 as it can get and it started growing again.

isurus79 · #4 05-16-2011, 11:27 PM

This one like A TON of light. It also grows veeeery slowly. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Chris147 · #5 05-17-2011, 06:13 AM

Is there any way that I can turn the leaves of my digbyana to a purplish color? I see a lot of digbyanas with purple leaves and love the coloration.

smweaver · #6 05-17-2011, 06:39 AM

I agree with Steve's comment: no need to worry about it too much. My digbyanas tend to display "odd" sorts of behaviors too. They sometimes don't produce new growths at all during a long and hot summer, only to commence growths when winter begins--just when I have a hard time providing the high light, heat and humidity they prefer. Or they will make up a new growth about half way, then decide to take a month or two long siesta before restarting growth on the same leads. Sometimes I think it helps to threaten them with a food processor. It's all quite frustrating. So welcome to the wonderful world of Rhyncholaelia digbyana growing! :-) The flowers, by the way, will be fantastic and once your plant blooms you'll probably forgive it for its uncooperative behavior.

Steve

dounoharm · #7 05-17-2011, 08:49 AM

i have found that with mine they hate to be disturbed, moved, or turned....also they demand very very high light levels, give it light and leave it alone and it will come around....gl

RobS · #8 05-17-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris147

Is there any way that I can turn the leaves of my digbyana to a purplish color? I see a lot of digbyanas with purple leaves and love the coloration.

More light.

Rhyncholaelia's are some of most light tolerant (and requesting) orchids that you'll find.

isurus79 · #9 05-17-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris147

Is there any way that I can turn the leaves of my digbyana to a purplish color? I see a lot of digbyanas with purple leaves and love the coloration.

RobS was right about upping the light to get the purple color. I had mine growing in full Hawaiian sun, no shade. It grew VERY quickly, for this species anyway.

Oscarman · #10 06-01-2011, 11:49 PM

Could not agree more on this one loving very bright light. The leaf thickness, hardness and glaucous nature are a good indicator of it's ability to tolerate very high light without burning and dessicating.

Perhaps a gradual acclimation to brighter light is prudent if it has been growing in a more shady area for a while.