Laelia alaori care tips

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by brooke

Gregor the alaorii is a very high light plant - very. I would try to slowly introduce the plant to the west window if it gets even 30 minutes more than the east window.

My plant actually gets some midday sun through the south side of my g/h that has no shade cloth protection.

Brooke

Sounds like I might want to up the amount of light on my guy. Thanks for the tip Brooke!

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Sounds like I might want to up the amount of light on my guy. Thanks for the tip Brooke!

I look forward to seeing the blooms.

Brooke

[james mickelso]

The difference between "sand" and this material is probably size. As long as the size of the particles is large enough the water won't fill the voids between the particles through capillary action so air can flow through the media which will then dry in a relatively short amount of time. This material could be a cheap alternative to bark as the grower might not be able to either get hold of another type media or afford say bark or moss. Usually small plants like this are grown in moss. Not because it is good for the plant but because as a seedling the plant is dropped right on top this and grows well. The moss stays wet which is fine for seedlings as long as the air temps are high and air movement sufficient. These orchids grow high in the trees in a very humid environment where the temps are moderated by the constant breezes. The roots have become accustomed to moss covering them due to the high humidity and plentiful rainfall.

[GregorK]

Thanks for clarifying James ! makes sense now

Regards Gregor

[GregorK]

Hello!

So here is my masterpiece
I was waiting for that tree fern for ages! I also went in the forest to gather some moss .

It looks pretty much like yours Isurus.
i placed the fern(in a slight angle) underneath the moss and also some S/H media to fill the pot.
Then i placed the moss and on the top my L. alaori
I also placed some moss on the top of her roots.

I am proud of myself looks great to me.
What do you say?
It has a new growth now. but i am worried about the discolouration on her leaves
Also, two very small leaves went completely yelow and fall off ( and i have her for just 2 weeks)
Maybe more water? it is placed in a bright west facing window just as you recomended to me.

Regards Gregor

[isurus79]

Looks good to me. And your moss will likely die before the Laelia, so let that be a guide about culture. Just remember that in order to keep the moss alive, your water must be pure and the fertilizer very weak.

[GregorK]

Ok tnx!

By week you mean 1/4 of recomended strength?
I have a NPK ratio 6:8:7

i give about 5-10 ml in a 1,5 L bottle.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by GregorK

Ok tnx!

By week you mean 1/4 of recomended strength?
I have a NPK ratio 6:8:7

i give about 5-10 ml in a 1,5 L bottle.

Sounds good to me.

[SOS]

I don't grow mine wet at all. It is growing and flowering well in a coarse bark. Watered once a week, maybe 2-3 a month I might course RO through it. It grows with all the rupiculous Laelias and sincoranas.

Your moss likely won't survive H202 but if the leaves yellowed and fell off I would give all my alaorii a liberal amount of hydrogen peroxide.

[GregorK]

Hmmm interesting. Why is H2O2 good for the plant?