Laparis Veridis finally blooming!

[utah]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hi All,
This is an orchid I bought in August 2007 and it wasn't very big. I have no idea why I bought it as I had never heard one thing about it, but it was very different. I think I liked the overall shape of the plant. I thought it would never bloom! Well over the past month and a half, it's been gradually surfacing potential blooms. I'm not sure if this is it or it will open more, but here are some pics of it's development. It's actually kinda cute as is! Thanks for looking.

What medium do you have it in? I've read so many conflicting things about this orchid and how it should be grown. Yours looks great and I want to make sure my new arrival does as well as yours!

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by utah

What medium do you have it in? I've read so many conflicting things about this orchid and how it should be grown. Yours looks great and I want to make sure my new arrival does as well as yours!

Hi Utah! I'm growing mine in coconut husk chips, charcoal, and alifor. All medium sized. This plant needs moisture or you will see the leaves start to pleat up. I water this as I would a phrag. I soak it for a very long time and then repeat every few days. I was told by the grower to never let it dry out, and I believe that cause of a couple pleated leaves when I missed a day or so. I mist the roots area every day. This plant would be an excellent candidate for S/H growing, if you do that at all.
I couldn't find a lot of information on this type plant so I am on a wing and a prayer, but it is thriving!

[utah]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hi Utah! I'm growing mine in coconut husk chips, charcoal, and alifor. All medium sized. This plant needs moisture or you will see the leaves start to pleat up. I water this as I would a phrag. I soak it for a very long time and then repeat every few days. I was told by the grower to never let it dry out, and I believe that cause of a couple pleated leaves when I missed a day or so. I mist the roots area every day. This plant would be an excellent candidate for S/H growing, if you do that at all.
I couldn't find a lot of information on this type plant so I am on a wing and a prayer, but it is thriving!

Thanks - that's the direction I was leaning towards. I had read somewhere that an expert recommended growing it like a dendro and withholding water in the winter!

From all of the other articles/posts/blogs I could find, I figured treating it like a masdevallia, phrag or bulbo would be better. Thanks for confirming my guess about the constant moisture - that's what I'll do! I appreciate it!

[dgenovese1]

Hi Kiki,

I'm not familiar with this one...well, maybe a little bit now.

In any case, it is a very healthy looking plant, and it reminds me of my Eria stellata a little. The blooms are so tiny! Have you had a chance to measure them?

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by dgenovese1

Hi Kiki,

I'm not familiar with this one...well, maybe a little bit now.

In any case, it is a very healthy looking plant, and it reminds me of my Eria stellata a little. The blooms are so tiny! Have you had a chance to measure them?

No, I can't even see the individual blooms without looking through a magnifying glass. It's still in bloom, some are going by, and some more are still coming on. It's quite a pretty plant. If you just touch or move the blooms that are going by, it's like little tiny snowflakes falling all over the place. I also have new spikes shooting up all around the older spikes, so it is quite a rapid grower (very unusual for an orchid, huh?)
If you want me to take another picture tomorrow, just say the word. I've been really impressed at how long the blooms have lasted. I had this one up for sale when it first went into bloom and while the weather was doable to ship, but glad no one bought it. I think I'll keep this guy.
Utah, I would research if this plant likes to be rootbound or not. Seems to me I read they like that, but can't remember where. I wouldn't put it into a large basket until I knew for certain. Just my

[utah]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Utah, I would research if this plant likes to be rootbound or not. Seems to me I read they like that, but can't remember where. I wouldn't put it into a large basket until I knew for certain. Just my

Good idea. I've just read how fast they grow and didn't want to have to repot it a couple times a year. I'll check it out. Thanks!

Oh, and, yeah - post more pictures! Love 'em!

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by utah

Good idea. I've just read how fast they grow and didn't want to have to repot it a couple times a year. I'll check it out. Thanks!

Oh, and, yeah - post more pictures! Love 'em!

Here they are! Taken a few hours ago. Most are starting to go by, but new spikes are still coming on in at least three places. Very interesting plant. See all the new growth coming at the base of the pbs?

[dgenovese1]

[QUOTE=kiki-do;172213]No, I can't even see the individual blooms without looking through a magnifying glass. It's still in bloom, some are going by, and some more are still coming on. It's quite a pretty plant. If you just touch or move the blooms that are going by, it's like little tiny snowflakes falling all over the place. I also have new spikes shooting up all around the older spikes, so it is quite a rapid grower (very unusual for an orchid, huh?)
If you want me to take another picture tomorrow, just say the word. I've been really impressed at how long the blooms have lasted. I had this one up for sale when it first went into bloom and while the weather was doable to ship, but glad no one bought it. I think I'll keep this guy.
QUOTE]

Wow...those aren't tiny...they're itsy-bitsy! Thanks for the story behind this plant...I'm glad that you've still got it too, otherwise we wouldn't be able to enjoy it with you.