Pleurothallis, Stelis, Dryadella, cultivation.

[unhappykat]

I recently went to a nursery that was going out of buisness and found a few plants from the pleurothallis, stelis, and dryadella families. I have had them for about six weeks now and they look a little greener but I am not sure about how much water they require. they are all mounted on either tree fern or cork bark. The dryadellas have recently lost a few leaves but I am not sure whether its stress, lack of water, or age. some of the plants have been mounter for over twelve years.

'Silence is the most perfect expressio of scorn' G.B. Show, "Back to Methuselah" 1921

[CoolPhrog]

Hi Kat..sounds like an intersting mix of plants you have there, congrats!

I've read that Stelis' are intermediate growers - 55-65 ° nighttime, 75-80 ° F daytime, the light requirements are Low - 1500 foot candles (80% shade) - water is lite - Allow to dry well before next watering and fertilize lite - 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, every two weeks, during growth cycle.

For your pleurothallis most are cool to intermediate growers, they like to be moist most of the time (I mist mine daily) and fertilize once a week- the light these guys require is low (some will require a little more) - but then I have my grobyi sitting within inches of my T5 fixture and it's growing like crazy!

For your dryadella, the light is the same as the stelis'...same growing temps as the plueros (with the exception of the zebrina c, they want a little warmer temps), normal watering (let dry between) and lite on the ferts....

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[unhappykat]

Thanks!!!

You said you have a plurothallis under lights. Does it respond better than if kept out doors.

[Bolero]

I can't imagine that any plant would grow better inside than outside given the right conditions. But that's only my opinion...........;-)

[CoolPhrog]

my pleuro is in my vivarium with controlled conditions. I have several different species of mini's in my viv but I also have another 60 something plants being grown outdoors. As long as the conditions are acceptale to the plant, I see no reason why it wouldn't do well in either situation.

[Andrew]

Stelis is quite a large genera so I would know how possible it is to generalise. I only have experience with Stelis porschiana. I grow it exactly the same as my Masdies ie +70% shade, low concentration ferts, sphagnum mix and don't let it dry out. It grows in cool conditions (IME it tolerates down to 0oC without frost) but when the temps head into the high 30oC's in summer it won't burn or drop its leaves in the same way most Masdies will so I imagine warm culture would suit it just as well. I find it grows quickly, flowers easily and is really forgiving. If it wasn't for the fact that I can't distinguish one species from another, I'd probably grow more of them.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Stelis is quite a large genera so I would know how possible it is to generalise. I only have experience with Stelis porschiana. I grow it exactly the same as my Masdies ie +70% shade, low concentration ferts, sphagnum mix and don't let it dry out. It grows in cool conditions (IME it tolerates down to 0oC without frost) but when the temps head into the high 30oC's in summer it won't burn or drop its leaves in the same way most Masdies will so I imagine warm culture would suit it just as well. I find it grows quickly, flowers easily and is really forgiving. If it wasn't for the fact that I can't distinguish one species from another, I'd probably grow more of them.

Hi Andrew,

I have one that is losing leaves at a fast rate. Any thoughts on why? I keep it moist and mist regularly. Try and keep it cool but still loses leaves although occasionally gets a new flourish of leaves to slow the decline.