Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[pasojanice]

Hi and thanks so much for the explanation! I don't know all the abbreviations! LOLOLOL
Janice

[Rowangreen]

Is everyone getting roots and new growth? Not me! As I posted before, mine's had some roots die. When I repotted a lot of the roots looked uneven in size, as if they'd been broken before and recovered, so maybe it was some of them went. I've still got some looking good, so keeping my fingers crossed. I've not taken it out to remove the dead roots and check as I feel that would be too risky if the roots are fragile. The dead roots seem to be from and old bulb too so I'm hopeful.

One of my biggest bulbs I think is just mature (the one where the sheaf turned pink: that's now dried to brown), so maybe mine's actually ahead of everyone else's! Or can I expect more new growth this year?

[Wynn Dee13]

Actually yours is probably behind a little. Your new growth with the dried sheath is probably last winters growth. These plants can bloom in fall, winter, and early spring. The flowers emerge when the new leaf opens. That probably explains the lack of roots. The roots should start growing now that the pbulb is matured. Then after root growth the plant will start a new growth.

When you start to see new root growth that is the time you should repot and remove the dead roots. I repotted one of mine a few months ago and during the repot the plant broke in two. I potted one piece and mounted the other. When I repotted the plant it was just starting to grow new roots and the mounted one took off really well. It is already attatched really well. This plant isn't my project plant. It was a plant I have had quite a few years. My project plant is mounted too and is still growing roots. None of my three plants have started new growths yet.

[orchidsarefun]

I can second that. Mine has a lot of new and growing roots, in fact they have now attached to the cork and I have removed the fishing line support.
I am looking forward to new pbulb growths !

[pasojanice]

Wow, removing the fish line! Great. I don't know if you saw my pictures of the one I posted that is our project but it looks good. The other one that I got and mounted I think is doing well also.
I thought, well, really didn't know that you could take off the line!
Thanks for more great information.
Janice

[nenella]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I can second that. Mine has a lot of new and growing roots, in fact they have now attached to the cork and I have removed the fishing line support.
I am looking forward to new pbulb growths !

Super! Can you post a photo if you have time please?

[orchidsarefun]

I will do so this weekend - using tapatalk cos I have endless problems with this site and cameras !

I stopped doing wrap-around mounting a while back. Now I nail in 3 or 4 short nails ( rough V-shape ) into the front of the cork mount, press the plant onto the cork mount and then do a weave between the nails, and over the plant, using fishing line. The cork I use either has existing holes, or I make holes, pencil-width. The roots then grow, some through the holes and out the back.....( if you are lucky - and do a bit of pointing ! )
Once the roots are firmly attached I cut the line and either leave the nails or remove them, depending on whether I think the plant is firmly attached.
I have left the nails in for Sophie - above explanation will be clear from the photos.
Works like a charm !

[camille1585]

That's fast growing if you can already take off the line! There's nothing slow about root growth on this orchid. Now if only the growths would be just as fast, then it would be the perfect 'chid!

[NatalieS]

It's so encouraging to read that everyones' little cernuas are doing so well.

The root growth on mine has really slowed down over the last week. Hopefully that means pbulb growth will begin soon!

[kavanaru]

my project plant is also growing roots now, but being a new imported plant it is taking its time with... still not ready to leave the sphagnum pot...