Stenoglottis longifolia care

[Roberta]

I think it will be fine... Stenoglottis is pretty much terrestrial, so it does not need the drying-out that epiphytic orchids do. If it gets cooler, that's fine too. (Mine gets winter temperatures routinely down to 40 deg F/4 deg C, occasionally even a bit lower for a few hours.) My winter high temps are typically around 68-72 deg F (20-22 deg C) on a "warm" day, often somewhat cooler (but most of the time at least above 60 deg. F/15 deg C)

[CisTransGlauca]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think it will be fine... Stenoglottis is pretty much terrestrial, so it does not need the drying-out that epiphytic orchids do. If it gets cooler, that's fine too. (Mine gets winter temperatures routinely down to 40 deg F/4 deg C, occasionally even a bit lower for a few hours.) My winter high temps are typically around 68-72 deg F (20-22 deg C) on a "warm" day, often somewhat cooler (but most of the time at least above 60 deg. F/15 deg C)

Would a mix with more added bark, perlite and pumice be better suited? As it is now the media is quite wet for 2-3 days atleast, before it becomes more of a damp consistency, albeit there's some small air pockets distributed evenly in the pot (thanks to the pumice, perlite and bark) I don't want the tuber to rot. But also it would be nice to water it more seldom and having the option to forget about it for a while and not needing to check on it every other day. It's growing indoor, so the relative humidity is low but not terrible.

[Roberta]

Maybe in the future you can play with the mix. Don't disturb it now, wait for leaves to drop, do any potting as new growth emerges in few months.

[CisTransGlauca]

Thanks for the reassuring words! As of now it´s under quite strong led growlights and the foliage has begun to deteriorate. There´s also new growth emerging from the base of the plant. Should I try to coax it into dormacy by taking it of the lights and putting it somewhere less bright and warm, like on a windowsill? I feel like I´ve made the plant confused as which season it is.

[Roberta]

I never stop watering mine... the old growth goes dormant about the time that the new growth is starting .So there is never a real dormancy.

[CisTransGlauca]

All right. So there shouldn´t be a problem that the conditions are pretty much the same (regarding light levels) year round?

[Roberta]

I don't know the effect of light levels or temperature variation, since mine are outside and they get the seasonal temperature and light variations, not something that I control. Of course yours are indoors for at least half of the year. But if new growth is starting, that's excellent, it certainly needs water and light.

[Dollythehun]

I realize this is an old post, and I am late to the party. I just pulled mine off of a lower shelf in front of an east window. I can't say that I was the best waterer, and it has been the victim of benign neglect. It has at least three bloom stalks coming up. It's potted in spagnum in a clay pot and more often than not run drier than it should be. So if I were you, I would relax, and just enjoy something that's easy to care for.

[CisTransGlauca]

Dolly I don´t know if your reply was for Neophyte or me, but it struck a chord. I originally bought the plant because I´ve read it was pretty undemanding and its overall looks are somewhat remiscent of the native Dactylorhiza.

I´ve now starting to see some thick roots growing in the pot, and I also have some fat seed pods on the way (I will try ex-vitro sowing).

Thank you.