Anyone growing Laelia harpophylla? Info needed

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Your HR is much higher than mine under normal conditions.

Wish I knew any more what "normal" is... our "normal" summer (from the time that I was a small child) was cool, damp late spring ("May gray, June gloom") brightening to warm, bright July with maybe 3 weeks of hot humid weather in August. The last two years, the August pattern started in late June and persisted until mid-October. So maybe that is the new normal. Then the dry winds... hot and dry in October/November, now more like cool and dry with the occasional bit of rain. The orchids are challenged.... I just now getting some decent Cymbidium spikes. In a normal year I would be staking Cym spikes by October, usually starting sooner. Interesting, the L. anceps are pretty much on schedule - their blooming must be triggered by day length which of course is always the same pattern. Cyms, on the other hand, are looking for the night time temperature drop, which the last two years came two months late.

[estación seca]

It might be from one of the areas with constant rain or dew. Watering every 4-5 days would not be enough if so, even in winter. Try to find out very specifically what the area is like.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It might be from one of the areas with constant rain or dew. Watering every 4-5 days would not be enough if so, even in winter. Try to find out very specifically what the area is like.

It's not so easy...I'll try to contact brazillian growers to see if they can give me more detailed info about the habitat.
Anyway, harpophylla and tenebrosa come from areas relatively near the sea with HR always above 70%. As my HR is usually somewhere between 15% in summer and 30% in winter, frequent waterings will be needed.

Wish I knew any more what "normal" is...

Yes, Roberta...I know what you mean. Mediterranean climates are the one of the first ones where changes are more noticeable. Yesterday I saw an article about climate change and how Portuguese climate can turn tropical in a 100 years time.

[rbarata]

One more question...for now.

What is the usual growth pattern? One pbulb each season? Or does it grows multiple?

Thanks

[Roberta]

I don't know about this one, but others of the small Brazilian Catts often have more than one growth period during the year. I know that Sophronitis can (my S. coccinea bloomed in July, and is starting to bloom again on a new set of growths), and various rupiculous Laelias as well. I think you will just have to see what it does.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think you will just have to see what it does.

Yes, I think so.
I'll keep this thread updated as usual.
Thanks

[rbarata]

Got some info from a Brazilian orchid lover. His blog is in Portuguese but has lots of habitat photos and some distribution maps also.

Google translation
This species vegetates in restricted mountainous areas, between the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Bahia, in old and humid forests, never in a continuous way nor in large populations, was always rare with distribution in punctual hotspots. Due to its size it is difficult to see in nature, since it vegetates in dense forests. Two new species, L. cowani and brevicaulis, have been described due to subtle differences, botanists love to breed new species in this most famous catteyoid group. It is difficult to grow because it does not accumulate reserves in pseudobulbs and does not form large specimens. It is used for hybridization. In short: it is a rare and punctual species, small and unknown.

I've found also a pdf file with a table containing the habitat type for several Catt species (table 3.1, pag 67). It's also in Portuguese/Brazilian but google is your friend.

So, basically, what I knew before was confirmed: warm growing, high humidity, bright shade...the growing difficulty is new to me....wish me luck on this one.

[rbarata]

I'm not sure if I should repot it right now.
I'm noe experienced in this species and never went through a complete life cycle.
I think they grow roots after the new growths.
Anyway, considering weather is changing now into spring (see next week forecast) I'm tempted to repot it now.
It has really small new roots together with slugs.

What do you think....? Repot or not?

Here's some photos...

[Roberta]

I would repot, those look like new roots

[rbarata]

Does anyone knows what might be causing this?
New roots with black dead tips=dead roots.

I've repot it one month ago with a medium similar to the original one: small bark+coco chips+small grade LECA.
Temps between 19ºC and 22ºc (66~72 F) and HR around low 40's.
Bright light (south window) with 3 to 4 hrs a day of filtered sun.

I'm tempted to think it is low humidity but I'm resisting the temptation to water more.

What do you think?