Comparettia macroplectron

[Rosim_in_BR]

I consider these flowers a reward. Comparettias are notably difficult to keep alive here where I grow my orchids. Many friends I’ve been talking to report the same difficulty, the plants (no matter what species) staying alive for a few months, a year, if so, and dying without flowering. I had never tried any Comparettia before and decided to start with this Colombian species for its undisputable beauty. I know that these plants like their thin roots free so, at first, I mounted mine on a little, very thin, piece of tree branch. It remained there for one year or so. No good! It didn’t die, but also didn’t make any move at all. Last year (October) I decided mounting it on a thin stick of tree fern and let it vertically hanging. Also, I decided to water it every single day and fertilize once a week! It’s only four flowers, but a huge present for me!

[Tricho]

I am completely in love with this genus!

Here, it is very difficult to get all the species, this one and falcata are more common. The others you have to make an extensive search and sometimes to buy outside europe.

I have this species as well. In the beginning I was very afraid because everybody told me that It would probably die soon. But mine is flourishing! Don't know if this particular plant is more strong or if it liked the conditions.

I keep it mounted on bark, with the roots surrounded with sphagnum, in a bright, hot place. I water it every day also and once a week I give it fertilizer at 125 ppm N.

Good luck with yours, they are really outstanding flowers.

[cb977]

That's fantastic! I recently learned of this species when we were doing our research for the current OB project...it's on my wish-list (which never seems to get any smaller )

[Rosim_in_BR]

Neither do mine, Susanne! On the contrary!

[hosshead]

My Comparettia, it's tenuously mounted on a bit of cork.
Yes, they are very sweet.

I was curious about what other folks are doing, is why I resurrected this elderly thread.

[Pamela52]

I just purchased one called comparettia speciosa. Its very small, very healthy looking. Has alot of roots. It is attached to a piece of teak wood. Wood 2"x6". Any tips to keep it looking so good? Had it 3 days. Color when it blooms is a bright yellow.

[hosshead]

Moderate light, spritz daily,(should dry by the next morning),I do a very dilute fertilizer in the spritz bottle so it gets a tiny dose daily.
Warm, low temps at night mid-50's at the coldest in winter,75-80 in the day, can be warmer than that the rest of the time. No particular dry rest period.
I use only collected rain water with my orchids, whether it's the fertilizer mix or not, just rain water all the time.

[Pamela52]

Thanks for the great tips! I am very new at this. BUT, so far so good. My son bought me one for my B-day and thats all it took!* Now I have 18.Thanks again Sammy

[Pamela52]

Well, Sammy, I think I gave one too many squirts!! I had it hanging verticle in 60 % humidity. Got up the other morning and found the top hanging foreward. Pretty water logged. I let it dry out and lost all its leaves. roots are still green and white ????????Any Ideas??

[m_ms09]

Just wondering what kind of fertilizer you use? I have a bunch of orchids, including a Comparettia macroplectron, growing in a tank and I've been entirely confused about what kind of fertilizer to use!

Thanks!