Sophronitis cernua

[Bud]

Sophronitis cernua
(Cattleya cernua)

This is originally found in South America. Its range is the Atlantic Coast of southern Brazil, primarily from Espirito Santo south to São Paulo all the way to the sea coasts of Bolivia and Paraguay. I saw pictures of this orchid growing on rocks.
I strategically positioned this plant in the shady part of the south facing window sill of my apartment. I water 2 times a week or as it dries out. I use Algoflash fertilizer alternated with seaweed mix weekly weakly. I have two cernua plants; this is potted and the other one is in a redwood basket so it could climb over the edge and grow around it….. this pot could also be set in a basket in the near future, and let it over grow without disturbing the roots….I have small oscillating electric fans for good air movement….and since this is in an air conditioned area, I make sure that it doesn't dry out too fast- by placing it near the 3 gallon electric humidifier.
I am lucky that the buds didn’t blast in spite of the mealies that infested it….this plant is currently on ICU isolation….and because this plant is evenly moist all the time; it accumulated algae and blackened some roots.
I can’t complain: it gave me seven beautiful flowers and there are two more buds to open.
I am glad I joined this project. I discovered that this is a cute miniature compact plant that is not so bad after all.

[Magnus A]

Congratulate! It is a nice clone you have there with large flowers!
How long does your flower last? Do they last longer at cooler temperatures?

I have several clones of S. (C.) cernua and some really hate normal RT and have a significant longer lifetime of the flowers at lower temperature.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Congratulate! It is a nice clone you have there with large flowers!
How long does your flower last? Do they last longer at cooler temperatures?

I have several clones of S. (C.) cernua and some really hate normal RT and have a significant longer lifetime of the flowers at lower temperature.

It opened three flowers and after three weeks seven flowers and there is still two more blooms to open as of now....I put it on constant 80F near the shaded part of the south facing window of my apartment...it is constantly evenly moist that the algae is forming to blacken the roots(I treat it with algaecide that I got from Ray)

[Magnus A]

Originally Posted by Bud

It opened three flowers and after three weeks seven flowers and there is still two more blooms to open as of now....I put it on constant 80F near the shaded part of the south facing window of my apartment...it is constantly evenly moist that the algae is forming to blacken the roots(I treat it with algaecide that I got from Ray)

Oh, I have one clone that open just one flower at the time at 80F but it have given me 10 consecutive single flower on one flowerstem. This year I had it outside on my balcony for a very long time in much cooler conditions and I got 6 flower on one stem this year. ALL opened up and stayed for 14 days...

S. cernua seem to be a very diverse species on temperature demand and flowering display.

[DelawareJim]

Nice!

It's interesting how some have oval leaves and others have round leaves. Casual observation implies the oval leaved cernuas appear to be slightly better blooms.

Cheers.
Jim

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Nice!

It's interesting how some have oval leaves and others have round leaves. Casual observation implies the oval leaved cernuas appear to be slightly better blooms.

Cheers.
Jim

the oval-leafed variety seems to have fewer blooms per inflorescence and the leaves appear to be slightly smaller too.

[isurus79]

Bud, is that color in the pics the true color? It is very dark and absolutely stunning. Congrats! Where did you get this plant from?

[Bud]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Bud, is that color in the pics the true color? It is very dark and absolutely stunning. Congrats! Where did you get this plant from?

Steve,

This is the true color for I took the picture in an overcast skies....maybe I should put it on the brighter side of the window= maybe it will provide me with lighter color shades?

I got this plant from Chaz (one of our member who sells on Ebay)

[WhiteRabbit]

Fabulous! I need to get one of these someday ...

[Bud]

Thank You, Jim !

Thank You, Orchidsarefun !

Thank You, Sonya !