My accidental experiment with Leptotes bicolor in sphag

[camille1585]

In spring of last year I acquired a new Leptotes bicolor, to replace my mounted one which died (my growing conditions are not suited for mounts, and no matter how hard I try I have trouble keeping up with daily watering).

I ordered a potted plant, with the intention of repotting it in a net pot with a somewhat course mix to have mount like conditions, with less frequent watering. The plant arrived potted in a plug of tightly packed sphagnum, and I had the intention of repotting it asap. Well that didn't happen, and I was quite surprised to see it put out quite a few new growths and roots after a couple weeks. Intrigued, I left it in the sphagnum plug.

I discovered 2 things: That Leptotes bicolor doesn't need a mount to thrive; and that tightly packed sphagnum is actually a fantastic substrate in small pots. It doesn't get soggy wet, stays evenly moist, and dries out faster than I thought.

First photo is the plant last year, about a month after purchase.


This is the plant today, 15 months later. (The smaller plant is Leptotes pohlitinocoi)


This is the root system. The roots are growing so vigorously that they are pushing the plant out of the pot.


My next challenge is to figure out what I want to repot it into since that sphag is getting a bit old. A question for you all, a few of the leaves have developed dry black leaf tips. Any idea as to the cause? This appeared in the past mnoth or so.

[Dollythehun]

Mine is mounted and like you, I can't do mounts well. I have it hanging in a glass jar with a lid. It blooms but, it's not producing roots, like yours! Nicely done!

[SouthPark]

Is it just a couple of leaf tips getting the black colours?

The ends of the leaf are narrow and furthest from roots. I've heard of cases about too much salt build up in media leading to leaf tips dying or something.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Is it just a couple of leaf tips getting the black colours?

The ends of the leaf are narrow and furthest from roots. I've heard of cases about too much salt build up in media leading to leaf tips dying or something.

That was my first thought as well, but I'm using Akerne Rain Mix (an MSU type fertilizer) at 0,5g/L which is roughly 70ppm N and I don't use it at every watering. I'm suspicious that the old and likely acidic sphag may have to do something with it, which is one reason why I want to repot.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by camille1585

That was my first thought as well, but I'm using Akerne Rain Mix (an MSU type fertilizer) at 0,5g/L which is roughly 70ppm N and I don't use it at every watering. I'm suspicious that the old and likely acidic sphag may have to do something with it, which is one reason why I want to repot.

Could be a good call camille. If you have an acidity test kit ...... could maybe try that. Otherwise, a repot could certainly help.

If more than just a couple of tips are changing colour, then definitely ----- can respond. Time is on your side, as you're watching the orchid like a hawk obviously, which is great.