Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[Rowangreen]

Thanks! Off to check the TC's at Schwerter!

[kavanaru]

note, if Schwerter just received these plants recently, they are most probably newly imported plants, which would need to be rooted! I assume this is also the case with the plant from Grossräschener!!

In these cases, the best is not to mount the plant immediately, but to pot in Sphagnum until new roots are developed... then you can mount them carefully, in order not to damage the new roots...

[Leafmite]

I am always careful as some of my non-orchids are not tolerant while others are. I have a theobroma cacao, plumaria, and a passionfruit vine that are not tolerant of cold while some of the other tropicals have bounced back from frost. So, it is good to hear about the soph.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

note, if Schwerter just received these plants recently, they are most probably newly imported plants, which would need to be rooted! I assume this is also the case with the plant from Grossräschener!!

Maybe, but I don't think so - it really didn't look newly mounted to me. I could be completely wrong though.

[pasojanice]

I must say again that I am really gathering lots of excellent information from all these posts. Thank you so much everyone!
Janice

[Rowangreen]

Currently looking at Paphs on Schwerter and having fun with google translations! Anyone tell me what Grünlaubige and buntlaubige mean?

I also love the way it keeps telling me the plants are flowering but not flowering size... I think things are getting out of order there!

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by 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.

I really want the aurea form too! But they are hard to find and very expensive! There is one place here in the US that offers it but it is $160! The vendor is New World Orchids. I bought one from them before with a Sophronitis coccinea var aurea both for $100 cause he said they were seedlings. I got them and they were so small, the size of my pinkie nail and the cernua var aurea was all dried up. When I opened the box the cernua's leaves had all fallen off and both plants had no roots. They were all dried up and so small there was no hope to save them. I tried but they were so far gone when I got them it was impossible. I really felt ripped off. I really should of complained but I didn't. So I haven't bought anything from them since.

Sorry about my little rant! I hope you find one over where you live. They are so beautiful! Let us know if you do.

[stonedragonfarms]

I'll post pics of my cernua when she arrives later this week... I'll be curious to see how many of us grow it mounted and how many stick to potted; I had one in my collection pre-move that started out potted, but grew like a weed once it was mounted. The one I ordered is mounted, so it will be interesting to me to see if it grows well right out of the gate per se...
Good growing all,
Adam

[Eahonn]

Mine is on its way from Botanica, I just got the email confirmation today. I had placed the order Friday so I should see it in a few days. I am excited this is my first soph orchid.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

Maybe, but I don't think so - it really didn't look newly mounted to me. I could be completely wrong though.

ok, you have seen the plant, not me... but a newly imported plant can also be newly mounted, and looks as if it has been there for a long period, depending on how it has been mounted or weather the old roots were cut off or not... as you mentioned, there were no old roots on your plant, except for a single newly grown one right? Furtermore, the plant was not dehydrated and was in active growth, right? If the plant would have been stablished and then neglected, loosing all roots, you should have been able to see old dead roots, and probably would have been dehydrated and not in active growth... Other option, the plant was indeed mounted "long" ago, and could not get stablished well because it had no roots... this would again support the suggestion that immediate mounting is not the best way to establish a newly imported or rootless plant...

Anyway, it was just a suggestion on how to better start your plant (and all rootless plants people could receive!)... I still would recommend that for your plant... However, as said before, you have the plant first hand and can evaluate much better what to do with under your conditions.