Ionopsis utricularioides lifespan?

[greenbean]

I'm expecting one of these in a few days, but recently did more in-depth research on it (mostly to find more pictures to drool over while I waited) and found many people saying this was a short-lived plant. Going even further, I found that while this species has a wide distribution, it has a very specific mycorrhizal relationship. In nature it tends to form mass colonies, bloom and set seed prolifically, then die, all while potentially sapping the host plant of strength.

So now I'm wondering how long I will be able to keep it alive. Has anyone been growing this plant for more than 5 years? That seems to be roughly the lifespan that I found in my searches. But maybe it can live longer in cultivation since it wouldn't produce seed unless pollinated?

Thanks in advance for any information you can give me!

[silken]

I looked on Orchid Wiz and Charles Baker's culture info does say it is short lived. Attached is a little bit of the info I clipped from it. They also say it is very touchy about being re-potted and should be done with the utmost of care only when new roots are growing and very carefully removing old media without disturbing the roots. It also recommends mounting it for that reason.

It looks like a lovely orchid tho.

[ezil]

I bought mine about 2 years ago at our show. I was totally unfamiliar with them, which was a good thing. The vendor assured me they grow well with tolumnias, so I I mounted it on the same branch as the tolus. It bloomed, and after about 2 mnths. it formed an off-shoot. That one bloomed this spring. The flowers last indeed a long time, and the plant grows well mounted on bark or wood, in the same conditions as tolumnias. Hope this helps. (p.s. if this is a killer by nature, it sure is an attractive one!)

[greenbean]

Thanks for the info, Silken and Ezil. I guess if it does turn out to be short-lived I will simply enjoy it while I can.

[catwalker808]

I haven’t found Ionopsis utricularioides to be particularly short lived (although, saying its long winded tongue twister of a name can leave you short of breath).

We have propagated and grown several different seed batches of this species over the past 25 years, or so. We started them in flasks, planted out into peat-perlite community pot mixes, then into bark or onto cork mounts. Most of them were sold off, however, some have been around for 10-12 years, or more, and still going strong.

Attached are 2 photos: one is of an old blooming spike; the other is a single plant cluster, which has 25 old spikes. We have a number of similar plants. These were initially mounted onto chunks of cork bark and its many fine fibrous roots are clinging to the cork.

In cultivation, the fine roots seem to be as much for support, as a nutrient channel. The plants seem to be efficient at taking up foliar fertilizers. Ideal conditions for this species seem to be warm temps & bright light. When temps are extremely high, more shade and higher humidity seem to be necessary. Conversely, when temps are lower, brighter light is necessary. I believe that the reason for the perception of Ionopsis utricularioides, as being short lived, is that optimum growing conditions have not been provided.

Even nature does not always provide optimum growing conditions. In nature, prolonged freezing temps or severe drought might kill off mature plants. But an abundance of seed assures survival of the species. The very long blooming period and continued seed production can drain the resources of mature plants, making them unable to survive environmental hardships. The clump in the photo above had 25 old flower spikes. That could certainly drain a plant over time if it did not have proper growing conditions, as well as lots of water & feed.

[greenbean]

Thanks Catwalker! That's exactly the kind of long-term first-hand experience I was hoping someone could share. And that plant looks very healthy! Seems like you've got this one figured out!