Prosthechea garciana
 

I gave my wife a Prosthechea garciana from first rays for her birthday.

I chose it because first rays carried it, and she wanted an orchid.

First rays doesn't have a culture sheet, nor have I found one anywhere else.

When it arrived, I transplanted it to prime agra in a 3.5 inch semi-hydroponic pot. (not impressed with prime agra - my home experiment against hydroton didn't yield the results that first rays did)

It has dropped some leaves, and I don't know whether to be concerned, or ride it out.

I guess none of that is really an introduction.
We are new to orchids, but not plants.
A greenhouse is in our one-year future.

Just here to learn.

Anyone have advice on the Prosthechea garciana?

reverie

Hi Reverie :) Nice to have you with us :clap:

Here's some info I found on your 'chid:
IOSPE PHOTOS

Also found that it likes high light (2000-3000fc) but not direct sun. Watering should be reduced for a winter rest with some occasional early morning misting. Increase water if bulbs start to shrivel. Start regular watering again in spring.

What other orchids do you have?

Thanks, Susanne.

Our only other orchid is unidentified.
My wife found it put out for the trash pick up in an alley.
It has been with us for a year.
Next time it blooms, I will post a picture.

-reverie

:) I think we all have a NOID or two in our collections...

I hope to see you around the board...welcome :clap:

prosthechea garciana going fast
 

I moved it to an east window.

Nothing has changed. Every leaf has either dropped or is about to.

As the pseudobulbs are looking a little wrinkly, I am suspicious of the semi hydro.

I will sit it in an empty aqurium when I get home.
(It's pretty dry here)

Someone please help!

reverie

reverie,
I purchased a Prosthechea (cochleata x garciana) from Welcome to First Rays Orchids as well. I was surprised to see that it didn't come in the semi-hydro potting medium, although that would be expensive to do and ship I guess. Anyways, when I got mine I was converting some of my plants over to the s/h method and put this one right in the s/h. It has been a couple of months and mine seems to be doing great. It is even putting out new roots. I thought I was going to regret it after I realized how important it is to wait for the plant to have new root growth before converting it, but I got lucky I guess, as with a few plants. Some plants take to it and some plants don't, and like Ray tells us, it is all about the timing for the most part. Have you tried contacting Ray about your troubles with the plant? He might have some great advice and he really knows what he is talking about. I am not sure if he is reachable during this week due to the holiday, but it is worth a shot! I have mine under some grow lights that my plant table came with and the humidity is around 30%, which is very very low. I am surprised it is doing so well. Soon I will have my orchidarium I ordered, I hope. Sorry I can't give you much help! I would just recommend giving it some time, but I know that can be hard while you are watching it deteriorate to nothing. I wish you luck! Keep us updated!

Becca -

Most of the plants I sell are NOT in semi-hydro culture because of the cost of shipping the extra weight of "damp rocks", and not everyone who buys from me grows stuff that way.

Reverie -

I cannot comment on your feelings about medium differences, as I don't know all of the details of your culture. PrimeAgra (and some other brands) perform better for me than does Hydroton...

Be aware that putting a plant into s/h culture requires appropriate timing and an adjustment period, and may work more- or less well, again depending upon your overall growing conditions.

FWIW, my plants of garciana and garciana x cochleata are in PrimeAgra in regular plastic (non-s/h) pots.

thanks to all who chimed in here...
 

I will keep at it until it is completely dead or revived.

I should be specific about my experience.

I do like the larger and irregular shape of PrimeAgra, and think that alone makes it worth buying over hydroton.

It "locks" together somewhat, whereas hydroton does not at all. (this don't like about hydroton - way to easy to accidentally disturb roots)

I was unable to replicate the wicking results against hydroton. That is my only negative comment.

-reverie