Monthly Status Reports - January 08

[Ross]

Cool! (Oops, that's not an acceptable term in Florida right now, right? )

Glad you folks are getting "back to normal". We're in normal mode here for next few months (Brrrrr!)

[shakkai]

I just found three spikes starting on my Lepanthopsis astrophora 'Stalky'!!!! (I think it was jealous of Liz's plant!!) Hopefully you be able to see the tiny spike in the photo - its the pale wisp of a thing on top of the leaf that is below my finger!!

[Ross]

I see it! Congrats.

[Ross]

Just to add, my Sedira japonica now officially has two spikes, not one. The new one is approx 1/2" long.

[quiltergal]

I need to edit my report this month. Looks like I jumped the gun on reporting P. Malibu Merlot as spiking, it was just a root. Also, the Den. Paskel Kuning 'Hawaii' spike nubbin has stopped growing and appears to have blasted. May not be enough humidity on the bottom shelf of the grow area. Last but not least my Epi. Pak Girl x Pacific Embers was doing great. I checked it one day and all was fine. The next day when I looked at it the raceme had grown up and mushed the buds into the bottom of the shelf above it. Looks like now I'll get one flower at most out of it. I moved it down so it wasn't so close to the upper shelf, but I think I'm too late to salvage it. I'm so mad at myself.

[shakkai]

Oh, Terri! I'm sorry to hear about your disappointments. Its amazing how fast some of these spikes can grow - just not when we really want them to, it seems!!

My Sedirea spike is not growing anywhere near what Ross' is... Congrats on the second spike, Ross!

[Ross]

Maybe it's due to all that RO water and waste effluent I have? Sorry, din't mean to dredge up old discussions!

[shakkai]

That must be it!!!

Seriously, though, when I went back to check my info regarding temps, I read:

Winter days average 53-56F (12-13C), and nights average 37-40F (3-4C), with a diurnal range of 16F (9C). We do not know if winter temperatures really need to be this cold, but nighttime averages should probably drop to near 40F (4C) for 2-3 months. In Korea, even the most moderate locations near sea level at the southern tip of the peninsula have minimum temperatures that average below freezing for 2-3 months in winter.

Mine isn't getting that cold!! But it is still cool, min of below 50F/10C. I remember some discussion before buying this plant - when it was brought up as a possible project plant - that many plants are short lived. I think it was Sue who pointed this out?? So I looked into it some more before buying and found this bit of info:

Christenson (1995) reported that plants of this species are relatively short-lived in cultivation, usually flowering no more than 4-5 seasons. It is more likely that these plants need a cold period to become dormant and receive the necessary rest. If winter temperatures are too warm, they simply continue to grow until they die from exhaustion.

So, I'm happy for mine to grow and flower in its own time!

[Ross]

Mine isn't either. But the temps are colder than I originally thought (for here - not there ) 58 degrees F at night and mid 60s (F) during day right now. Think you might have another issue. Here is my regime - compare it to yours:

1 plant mounted (2 spikes) and 1 plant potted (no spikes) Clue?

Mounted plant get daily dunks with 125ppm Nitrogen MSU and potted plant gets 2-3 waterings per week with same stuff.

Mounted plant dries out totally overnight, potted plant does not.

Mounted plant gets approx 800 FCs light, potted plant less than that, unless sun shines. It's in the south window.

Anything ring a bell with you? BTW, the potted plant is growing new leaf vigorously and new roots. The mounted plant is growing roots, but no new leaf.

[shakkai]

Mmm... Well, mine came potted, but I mounted it as soon as I got it. It gets water every morning and dries out my night (see photo that I just took tonight, its dry by 10PM) it gets a complete soak once a week with specially formulated orchid food added. No idea of the exact FCs, but would guess in the 800-1000 range (south facing window, obscure (frosted) glass). You can see how much the new leaf has grown in the past month by comparing the December status photo with the one I just took tonight. Not a lot of new root growth, but some still have green growing tips... (Tonights photo isn't the best angle to see the spike - still barely more than a nubbin... not yet 1/2" long - its under the leaf on the left. The December photo has a red arrow pointing to the spike starting.)