Just a little tidbit about my limited experience with Chiloschistas. I killed one I bought at a show in 2011 by just hanging it in basically full sun in an orange tree in April and spraying it maybe every other day when I got a chance. Needless to say, it didn't last long as the light level was way too high and the humidity no doubt far too low. These are not some Cattleya or Vanda hybrid to hang in a tree and hit with the hose once or twice a week (unless you live in the very humid tropics).
Recently, as I have shared, I have decided to specialize in leafless orchids, as well as the FL native epiphytic species. I had to have a Chiloschista (and will eventually collect them all, it is an addiction
). I ordered and received Chiloschista exuperei from LOC, a gorgeous healthy plant full of roots mounted on a cedar slab. It had been doing incredibly well for several weeks until yesterday, when, against better judgement, I left the heavy mat of live spanish moss off of the top of my screen cage that many of my leafless are growing in (done to let more rain reach the plants from a passing shower the day before). My understanding is that screen itself blocks out 20-25% of total incoming light and while the other leafless appear to have been ok with this (full screen-filtered sun for hours), my Chilo fried and is down to only two healthy roots out of 15-20.
I replaced the moss covering today and watered as i normally do in the afternoon to compensate for relative lack of humidity during this time. I really hope it makes it and that the caudex of the plant itself was not irreversibly damaged by the sun over-exposure!
Be careful with how much sunlight you allow the plants to get. Full afternoon sunlight (at least in FL in July) is WAY to much. It only takes a few hours, and consider the plant in question was watered twice yesterday afternoon, and still fried.
I would like to increase my orchid growing skills beyond the point where I almost stress a plant to death after receipt then have the task of nursing a damaged individual of an already delicate species back to health. Consistent growing conditions!
Linear Mode
