New Laelia milleri - medium advise needed

[Roberta]

I think that at this point, just leave it. The next time you repot it, then you can add the "dirt". They truly don't need much fertilizer, or much of anything else except plenty of light. This potting regimen also ensures that it will drain and dry out quickly, which is really important.

[rbarata]

My only doubt is how to recognize it needs water. As LECA dries fast on the top, how do I know how things are at sphagnum level?

The lady who offered me the plant told me: "You'll learn how by the color of the LECA." whatever that means.

[Roberta]

I have never used LECA... I use that small (1 cm) gravel for most of the medium, and they just get water when I water everything else - they drain well and dry out quickly. You could use the wood skewer test to figure out what is going on down in the pot. But I would guess that if they are outside in hot weather, they could be watered every day and be fine. As temperature cool and humidity rises, then water less often. Lift the pot before you water (when you think it is dry) and after you water, and feel the weight difference. That is another indication. These are not fragile...

[rbarata]

I was not planning to put it outside. I could do it for most of the year but in the peak of the winter it's not good due to rain and cold. During that season I can put it inside under full sun all day (indoors) and get the temp differential it needs (day time it can go up to 28°C and by night it drops to 12°C).

[StanTheMan]

Hello. I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to know how you did with this one. Was it very hard to grow?

Cheers,

[rbarata]

So far it has been growing well but never bloomed so far. It has a sheath but seems to be empty. I don't know if it should have shown already some signs of blooms inside, as this is a new leave, or if the blooms start to grow later.

[StanTheMan]

Thanks for answering. I ordered one thinking they're like your next Cattleya hybrid, but come to see it really isn't. I guess it is really important for them to have lots of sun on winter. Do share any progress you have with this one, it'll be a pleasure to read you.

Cheers,

[estación seca]

Hi Stan, I think you live in Mexico City. If so this plant gets temperatures almost the same as yours but a lot more summer rain. Give it very bright light but remember in habitat it probably grows under a small amount of grass or other plants, so it should have just a small amount of shade during the hottest part of summer.

[StanTheMan]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Hi Stan, I think you live in Mexico City. If so this plant gets temperatures almost the same as yours but a lot more summer rain. Give it very bright light but remember in habitat it probably grows under a small amount of grass or other plants, so it should have just a small amount of shade during the hottest part of summer.

Hey, estación seca! I do! I believe we discussed in a thread I made recently haha. Idk, sometimes during summer we can have many many cold (according to our standards haha not under 10°C cold haha) rainy days, but I'll still keep an eye for it. I guess I have the perfect spot for it receiving filtered light on summer and lots of sun in winter. If I do see myself struggling with it I'll either donate it or exchange it or sell it. I don't want to try all my chances before it dies, it better lives under good care. Thanks to you too for answering, have a pleasant evening!

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by estación seca

... but remember in habitat it probably grows under a small amount of grass or other plants, so it should have just a small amount of shade during the hottest part of summer.

That was one a mistake I did by putting it under full (or almost) sun all day in summer with temps reaching 40ºC. The plant survived, in fact it grew really well, but I wonder if this caused a set back in its growing cycle. Now, I give it full sun only from now to May. The rest of the time, it's under really bright light coming from a large southern window but with shade.