Schomburgkia thomsonaiana - spike turned yellow

[LenaP]

does anyone know what it means that the flower
spike has turned yellow, I suppose I have over watered.
Currently my banana orchid is in a very small moss 2" pot. It came like this from the show I bought it at.
How frequent should I water this tiny potted schom?: Do you think it is possible to get the spike to turn green again? thanx:

[Dorothy]

How often do you water it?
and what is your temps and humidity?
They do like to be dried out -
Thomasoniana's subgen is Chaunoschomburgkia.
" These plants have a reputation for being difficult to grow. They appear to do best when mounted on oak bark covered logs in the hottest and sunniest part of the glasshouse. They must be allowed to dry out between waterings, and during the winter in particular must not be over watered, especially between the period of autumn flowering and when new growth recommenced in the spring. . They are used to long periods of drought in the Autumn and Winter. It also appears that they should not be disturbed too frequently, as any repotting can cause them a significant set back. The information set out for the arid prairie habitat pages provides useful additional information." This info is as per Philip C. Tomlinson © 1998 and I do not have the website where I found it.

[LenaP]

Hi Dorothy - I really appreciate your reply - I had no idea
that they prefer to dry out--- I certainly have been overwatering it then- weekly. thank you thank you thank you. I wonder what will happen to this flower spike - not sure that it will keep growing. thanks so much

Originally Posted by Dorothy

How often do you water it?
and what is your temps and humidity?
They do like to be dried out -
Thomasoniana's subgen is Chaunoschomburgkia.
" These plants have a reputation for being difficult to grow. They appear to do best when mounted on oak bark covered logs in the hottest and sunniest part of the glasshouse. They must be allowed to dry out between waterings, and during the winter in particular must not be over watered, especially between the period of autumn flowering and when new growth recommenced in the spring. . They are used to long periods of drought in the Autumn and Winter. It also appears that they should not be disturbed too frequently, as any repotting can cause them a significant set back. The information set out for the arid prairie habitat pages provides useful additional information." This info is as per Philip C. Tomlinson © 1998 and I do not have the website where I found it.

[Dorothy]

You might lose the spike so long as you save the plant. I lost my thomasoniana by having sphag moss in the medium which kept it way too moist .. they do like it dry!

[CoolPhrog]

Thank you Dorothy! I've had problems with mine for a while now. Thank you, too Lena for asking the question!!!

[LenaP]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

You might lose the spike so long as you save the plant. I lost my thomasoniana by having sphag moss in the medium which kept it way too moist .. they do like it dry!

Hi Dorothy - I purchased mine in sphag moss too! It's in a very tiny 2" x3" pot mind you, I have only 3 shoots about 5" high, but should I take out the moss now? the Plant still seems fine but I guess I'll give it a dry period for a while and just mist it guess?

[Dorothy]

They can be mounted which will allow the moss to dry out more rapidly.
I have my tibicinis potted in a wooden basket in large, coarse bark and I have my schombo/myrmeco hybrids in a Coconut Husk Chip mix. They are all doing very well.

Let it dry and then give them a good soak weekly - that is working under my conditions which are on the dry side now but as summer approaches and the humidity increases, I may wait even longer to water them ..
Decide what you want to do with them .. then do it and leave them alone as they sulk for a long period of time after being disturbed.

[Dorothy]

Here is a great thread on schombos - Looking forSchomburgkia Info

[PAorchidman]

greetings and salutations. with your orchid.

[LenaP]

Originally Posted by PAorchidman

greetings and salutations. with your orchid.

thanks for your help! thanks again