Laelia milleri - I’m going to try this media

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by Shabe

I use Kelpmax. Is that the same thing?

Yes. The name has recently changed. Same product.

[Shabe]

It’s been a couple of months since potting my milleri and she has some new growths already.

[orchidman77]

That's great! Mine are both growing as well, I've pretty much left them alone since I ordered except for watering. My impression with most rupicolous types is that they hate being disturbed and simply want to be watered and ignored

David

[Clawhammer]

I gambled on a shabby looking milleri at our Ecuagenera pop up sale July 25. It was rootless and had no new growths, but was discounted and had a good amount of juice left in the bulbs. It now has 5 new growths. Seems like a pretty tough plant.

I am growing mine in a clay bulb pan in 100% sphag. Why the concern for adding iron? Does it influence the flower color, or do rupicolous laelias just need elevated iron being lithophytes?

[Shabe]

They grow on iron ore outcrops in their native habitat. I have some of these iron ore pellets so I thought I’d try them. But most people who grow them don’t add anything with iron and theirs do just fine.

[estación seca]

My evolutionary bio professor Dr. Koopowitz taught us that plants grow where they grow not because they like being there, but because they can outcompete other plants for that spot. Maybe it's more tolerant of iron rather than wants plenty of iron.

[Acuminata]

Originally Posted by Shabe

I potted up my milleri a few weeks ago and so far it’s looking good. Top layer of coco husk around the crown to help keep it moist. I hear they are slow to root. Is that anybody else’s experience?

Mine took quickly,5 bulbs w/ no roots to start produced 3 new growths,pretty aggressive grower for me in only lightest of shade,potted directly into 1/3 each of med bark,gravel and LECA in a shallow clay pan,dries out daily

[orchidman77]

I can concur - both of mine are throwing multiple growths and rooting well. I also found some scale on both today, though, and that's annoying - I think they were hiding in the rhizome when I received them.

Clawhammer, how is yours doing?

David