Sophronitis cernua - my first mounted mini

[Tindomul]

Nice one D.
Thanks for the lighting tip Shakkai. I have one (S. cernua) that is only 7 inches away from very strong power compact flourescent lights. I keep the temps around 70-80 and water it everyday! Its mounted. I mounted it over a year ago, and to this day, all it has done is grow two roots. Nothing more. Are these heavy feeders?
Dorothy, let me know how yours does. Perhaps I showed you mine when you came to visit.[/FONT]

[Dorothy]

I don't remember seeing it, Tindo. There was so much to see and I was so ignorant at the time.
I will definitely keep you up to date on this lil fella

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Its mounted. I mounted it over a year ago, and to this day, all it has done is grow two roots. Nothing more. Are these heavy feeders?

Tindo, mine is mounted and about 4-5" away from a 55 watt full spectrum CF bulb. I fertilize daily with 125ppm Nitrogen MSU in RO water. It grows new roots from each new growth (this year there was 4 new growths). Hope this helps.

[Dorothy]

Ross - could the constant fertilizing cause it not to flower?

[shakkai]

Ross, purple edges are good.

Tin, from what I understand, they don't have a real rest period, so can be fertilized regularly throughout the year. But I don't think they normally grow very big root systems, so I wouldn't think they could take up a lot of fertilizer. Probably little and often is best - which I think is what Ross does.

[shakkai]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

Ross - could the constant fertilizing cause it not to flower?

Just a guess, but I think the temperature differential between day/night is one of the factors in initiating flowering.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

Ross - could the constant fertilizing cause it not to flower?

Under some typical regimes, yes. But 125ppm Nitrogen can hardly be called fertilizer. It is really weak compared with some folks regimens. All of my orchids get this treatment and most choose to bloom (my Beallara is blooming again! I've lost track of how many spikes this year alone.) So I think it's something else. Now last year the Sophronitis was new and developed spikes after I got it home. Andy obviously has differing conditions. This year I got a real flush of growth and now roots. I just think perhaps the bloom will come later in winter? I don't know.

[Tindomul]

Hmm, well mine depends on frog droppings. But it does recieve day night temp differences of around 10 degrees. Perhaps I should be happy it has not died on me.

[shakkai]

I know that cernua is more temp tolerant than coccinea, but the suggestions from the habitat for coccinea are day/night differentials of 20F or more. Maybe cernua doesn't need so much difference... you, Ross and Dorothy will have to keep us posted!

[Becca]

Very cute D! I looked up a picture of the blooms and I remember seeing a couple on ebay, although not from this particular seller. I do believe this one is on my wish/want list as well. I have been very very bad and won more then a few bids on ebay today from baldensorchids....just couldn't resit and I told my self only mini's from here out...I'll post pictures in another thread as soon as I receive them.