Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[Mira-Claude]

From my research it is a small plant from the cost of Brazil, mostly around Rio de Janeiro, that grows like a cattleya. It like humidity but is highly susceptible to rot of all kinds. Someone I trust on the subject told me to be careful of bacterias and fungus too. So they have to dry out properly. They are kind of tolerant to neglect and can take moderate to high lights. They also need a good airflow.
That's what I have.
Oh and they tend to grow along parallel to the substrate and are tolerant to salt build ups...

[pasojanice]

All great information. Mine is coming in the net pot and am wondering if I should mount it also. Janice

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by pasojanice

All great information. Mine is coming in the net pot and am wondering if I should mount it also. Janice

Actually if it is in a net pot it should dry out pretty fast. Way faster than a regular plastic pot. I have been growing mine in a clay pot with New Zealand spaghnum moss for quite a few years and it does great. I just repoted it and it had tons of roots. But when I repotted it it broke in two pieces so I potted one piece in the moss and the other one I mounted. They are both doing fine. The mounted one is putting out new roots and they both have new growths. I have never had a probleum with rot but I also am more of an under waterer. So it just depends on how you water. Like Mira-Claude said, she tends to over water so she might do better with a mount. You might just want to wait and see how fast the net pot dries out.

[Mira-Claude]

If your hand is as heavy as mine is when you water... you should mount it!
I know that if I kept it potted I'd rot it in under a month!

[pasojanice]

You know Mira-Claude, that's a very valid point. I do, at times, tend to believe that a summer rain becomes a deluge. Hmmmmm....I have to research this a little more. Do you have some suggestions? Thanking you in advance. Janice

[Rowangreen]

Maybe it will surprise you. I'm already amazed what seems to be doing OK in my place, though I may have to eat those words at some point!

Really frustrating not being able to order yet. Though I have some amazing TC's lined up. Have to do my budget before I can finalize the list!

[pasojanice]

I'll be waiting to see their answer and your response.
Janice

[kalanchoe]

Thanks again, Camille, for organizing this!

I placed my order with J&L about three days ago. As soon as I saw that it was going to be either the sophronitis or the bulbo, I went ahead and ordered them both. I'm in zone 10, so I'm really racing against time to get them here before the 100 degree weather starts (highs are in the 90's right now)! I usually don't order plants at this time of year because of this, so I'm hoping that they make the long trip safely!

I got a couple others for good measure, so my total order included:

-Sophronitis cernua
-Bulbophyllum sumatranum
-Mediocalcar decorata
-Neostylis Pinky 'Starry Night'

I can't wait to see them! I got a confirmation email from J&L that they had received the order, but I haven't heard anything else yet.

[bballr4567]

Originally Posted by kalanchoe

Thanks again, Camille, for organizing this!

I placed my order with J&L about three days ago. As soon as I saw that it was going to be either the sophronitis or the bulbo, I went ahead and ordered them both. I'm in zone 10, so I'm really racing against time to get them here before the 100 degree weather starts (highs are in the 90's right now)! I usually don't order plants at this time of year because of this, so I'm hoping that they make the long trip safely!

I got a couple others for good measure, so my total order included:

-Sophronitis cernua
-Bulbophyllum sumatranum
-Mediocalcar decorata
-Neostylis Pinky 'Starry Night'

I can't wait to see them! I got a confirmation email from J&L that they had received the order, but I haven't heard anything else yet.

Yours should ship Monday. I ordered Friday and they said that they ship on Monday and Tuesday so expect it by Thursday more than likely.

[silken]

Well, I think I will order it! I already got a response from Hawaiian Botanicals and here is what she replied: Sophronitis are actually very drought tolerant. Our greenhouse can get very hot in the summer 35-40C and our minimum temp is 12C in the winter. The sophronitis are mounted on tree fern pieces with a bit of sphagnum for water retention. If you choose to remove the plant from the tree fern, you could probably do it quite easily. Potting the tree fern piece in sphagnum should be fine. I checked my own plant which is sitting in a plastic tray and it has rooted onto the plastic!!!!