My Den Laevifolium in trouble ?

[gngrhill]

I got my Laevifolium in bloom in spring. The flowers have since faded leaving some bare PBs and some with leaves. Now one by one the leaves have turned yellow and fallen off. I have read that the are NOT deciduous, so what do you think is happening ? It is in SMoss, which I keep just damp, in a bright location, no sun. Temps 85 to 90 F days and 60 to 70 nights, 50% humidity. fert. every other week.

[estación seca]

I got one also, also in bloom. It dropped almost all its leaves right away but recently opened two more flowers. The forming growth it came with retained its leaves, though they are damaged, and it has pushed a new growth since I got it.

Wintergirl has posted how she grows hers, and it sounds like she's had it for a while. You might try searching the forum on the species name and read the threads for her messages.

In brief, it seems to be deciduous in cultivation, but shouldn't dry out. It grows new growths, matures them and then blooms off old pseudobulbs. Wintergirl says she almost never fertilizes hers.

[gngrhill]

Thanks, estacion seca, found it. Very helpful

[wintergirl]

They are deciduous, at least mine are. Mine are just now getting their leaves back.

[dbarron]

I've only had mine since January, but decided it doesn't like it cold (ie too near window pane in winter), and doesn't like to dry completely out.
I fertilize when I think of it...about every three weeks, and just before that I flush it well to try to clear out accumulated salts.
I'm currently finding mine seems to perform better with a little bit of sun (former east window just bright light).

[IcePenguin]

I've got 3 plus a few hybrids with laevifolium as a parent and have had them several years. The species itself is deciduous. My album form is just starting to bloom now. Blooms last a few months for me. They go outside mid April and are still out. Hopefully will stay out another few weeks ; I'm in the Chicago area. Mine get full sun for a good part of the day although dappled mid afternoon. Heavy watering and fertilizer once they get outdoors. Once I bring them inside for winter cooler and bright light with reduced watering. I treat my hybrids pretty much the same way depending on what the second parent is.


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[wintergirl]

Nice ones. What is the name of your first orchid?

[gngrhill]

IcePenguin, they are both beautiful. Thanks for sharing

[IcePenguin]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Nice ones. What is the name of your first orchid?

Thanks. That is laevifolium var. album.


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[dbarron]

IcePenguin, is a parent of the second orchid you posted, maybe bracteosum? It sure looks like it (in the photo at least)

I tried putting mine outside..and I got slug attacked viciously and decided outside was too uncontrolled for a miniature orchid.