Cuitlauzina pendula
 

Hi, I was lucky to pick up a Cuitlauzina pendula plant at a Christmas raffle table. I have kept it dry since then and no signs of flower spikes and the pseudobulbs are really starting to wither. Should I break down and water this poor thing or wait to see the spikes?

Thanks.

This orchid does not need, or want, a dry period. So please do water it! Now! The flower spikes emerge from new growth. I suspect that with the stress of drying out, you may not get blooms. but if you can get it growing, next year will be better - keep it watered. (It is closely related to Oncidium)

Where are you located?

Seal Beach, CA

We're nearly neighbors... Costa Mesa here. Cuitlauzina pendula grows outside very nicely in our area. I suggest a basket, so that it drains well. It certainly needs to hang so that the spikes can hang over the side. The plant should be potted high enough that the pendulous spikes that come out from the new growth can get to the edge of the basket (they come out pretty much horizontal, then droop over the side). A side note... the spikes are pendulous but they are not flexible. They are actually quite brittle. (I learned this the hard way :_() Give the plant a little love (and water) and the blooms are some of the prettiest in orchiddom.

Also... where did you get the idea to keep it dry? Are you doing that to your other orchids, too? You're in the middle of a heat wave. They should all be growing now, which means they should all be getting water now.