Question for Ross or other Cischweinfia growers...

[whygreenberg]

My Cischweinfia pusilla has a spike with four buds on it. One of the buds began opening up a week ago today. The other three buds have started following suit since then. However, they are all still in various states of opening.

So, my question is...Are the Cischweinfia just slow to open? Or is it more likely that some culture/environmental factor is causing my buds to not want to open well?

(Can certainly post pics if needed, but not sure when as my dear bf has run off with the camera!)

Many thanks for any input!

[tmaxwell]

It seems pretty "normal" for these to not open wide, but I have seen some which do. Maybe someone can shed some light...

[whygreenberg]

Thanks, TM...My buds are not even to that stage of "not open wide" yet. The petals and sepals are still separating from each other. Perhaps I need to hunt down that camera...

[Ross]

Yvan, I find Cischweinfia to be slow in virtually everything. The blossoms when they finally open fully tend to remain fresh-looking for a couple months. My sheehanae has been in bloom for three months. It took forever for the flowers to open. I do believe humidity can be a factor as well.

[whygreenberg]

Thanks, Ross! I guess perhaps I need to kick my patience back into gear. This will be the first time I've bloomed the little guy, so when I saw it was taking so long for the bud elements to separate, I got a little worried.

Thanks again!

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

Thanks, Ross! I guess perhaps I need to kick my patience back into gear. This will be the first time I've bloomed the little guy, so when I saw it was taking so long for the bud elements to separate, I got a little worried.

Thanks again!

That's an awesome little plant, Yvan - just went to IOSPE for a look-see, and then of course dashed straight off to my usual online sources to see if they have it. No luck. Can I ask where you got yours?

Thanks!

[whygreenberg]

Of course! I got mine from Andy's. It has been relatively easy thus far for me. Likes to be constantly moist, and so really requires a regular fungicide regimen. I average 60% – 70% humidity, and it seems to do just fine with that, even dropping down to 50% now in the winter. However, I suspect that you'd get the more awesome displays like Ross has if you're able to keep it at a higher RH.

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by whygreenberg

Of course! I got mine from Andy's. It has been relatively easy thus far for me. Likes to be constantly moist, and so really requires a regular fungicide regimen. I average 60% – 70% humidity, and it seems to do just fine with that, even dropping down to 50% now in the winter. However, I suspect that you'd get the more awesome displays like Ross has if you're able to keep it at a higher RH.

Andy's was the first place I checked. Not in stock. Guess I'll have to wait and see if he gets any more in, closer to spring. Thanks!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by boytjie

Andy's was the first place I checked. Not in stock. Guess I'll have to wait and see if he gets any more in, closer to spring. Thanks!

Stephen, call! Most of Andy's stock only makes the on-line listing when he has a lot. If he has a few plants, they won't show. Andy or Harry can tell you if there are any. I do this all the time. Just call the 800 number and tell them you are interested in XXXXX (whatever species.) I know he carry's lots of Chischweinfias.

Another point to consider. The stuff from Andy's will be sent as "blooming size". Theoretically they may bloom for you at this size. But I've had much better luck with potbound specimen sized plants. I have a C. horichii that did a bunch of dieing back after the only blooming (two spikes). Since then I moved it directly in front of the fan in the tank and it has responded. But as slow as this genus is to grow (even under optimum conditions) any new plant may take two years or more to reach the size where you'll get blooms like this:



This was taken in November (spikes first emerged like September, or so) and is just finishing blooming (last spike to open). At time of photo, not all the spikes had developed! This plant is so potbound the roots are encircling the mesh pot and hanging around outside as well. It will be moved up to a larger mesh pot when bloom is done.

[WhiteRabbit]

I just found this thread searching for info on this orchid -
Stephen, incredibleorchids on ebay has some of these for auction if you are still interested

Cischweinfia Sheehanae (pusilla) species orchid -BS - eBay (item 170313170969 end time Mar-24-09 19:25:37 PDT)

thats where I got mine!