Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[NatalieS]

I have mine! I was cheeky and actually ordered both the bulbo and the soph before the final results were in.

I took it off of its mount this evening. I was a little worried because there was moss covering the base and I couldn't see any of the roots. I was right to be worried - the poor little guy has hardly any roots. Pretty much only the one healthy root which has only just started growing. I took a good look and it has another root starting and possibly a new bulb, so I think it will recover.

I then 'remounted' it... in my own way. (see pics)

You can let me know what you think of this idea. In the meantime I'm on the look out for the yellow variety - which looks as though it's going to be incredibly difficult to find in Europe.

[camille1585]

Where did you order yours from?
That ball is cool, but it may not be ideal for the Soph. They like to dry out quickly between waterings, so the best is for them to be mounted, second best is in a pot or netpot with a quick draining medium.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Where did you order yours from?
That ball is cool, but it may not be ideal for the Soph. They like to dry out quickly between waterings, so the best is for them to be mounted, second best is in a pot or netpot with a quick draining medium.

Grobraschener. The bulbo is brilliantly grown though - nice big plant and in great condition.

The ball is actually hollow inside, and I only placed the moss very loosely around the base and up one side. I think it will dry out pretty quickly. When it gets a little warmer I'll be keeping the window open too, which will keep the air moving.

[camille1585]

Sounds like it could work then!

[pasojanice]

NatalieS, I like that idea especially since you described how much moss you put in and how loosely it is put in there. It does look neat. I have not seen anything like that before! For a minute, I thought you had a soccer ball hanging up with one of the black portions taken out! Oh my, I must have my eyes checked!

[bballr4567]

Very neat idea.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by pasojanice

NatalieS, I like that idea especially since you described how much moss you put in and how loosely it is put in there. It does look neat. I have not seen anything like that before! For a minute, I thought you had a soccer ball hanging up with one of the black portions taken out! Oh my, I must have my eyes checked!

A soccer ball? LOL! Brilliant.

Thanks guys - I get these crazy ideas and sometimes I need perspective.

It's actually a lamp for a candle! I go around DIY and home-wares stores looking for potting ideas for orchids rather than getting what I'm meant to be getting.

[Rowangreen]

How do you rate Grobraschener then? I was thinking of ordering from them. Not the cheapest I think (especially if their cernua's are not in great condition!), but they have some TC's that apeal to me.

[camille1585]

Schwerter also has the cernua, off catalogue. They just got 10 of them in recently. NBS, 5.5cm pots, 12.95€.
I asked for more info about what NBS means in terms of months until blooming.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

How do you rate Grobraschener then? I was thinking of ordering from them. Not the cheapest I think (especially if their cernua's are not in great condition!), but they have some TC's that apeal to me.

Well, the plants were very well packed, even though the delivery is really reasonable in comparison to some other german suppliers. Like I said though, the bulbo is in great shape and it also came mounted. The leaves and bulbs on the soph are all plump and healthy looking, so it might've been an honest mistake.

I would probably buy from them again, but I will try a few other suppliers first for comparison.