Epidendrum ciliare ( Coilostylis Ciliaris) growth habits
 

Well, this is the plant that introduced me to the OB. I'll post pics as soon as the buds open. However, I have a question:

I was under the impression that there was one flush of growth a year, in the early spring. I didn't repot at that time. Now, I have buds forming and a new flush of growth with roots going over the edge. It's a good sized pot now. Do you guys have thoughts? Pot? No?

Come to think of it, I thought Catts only had one flush of growth and that was why you repotted at that time. However, my Catts are flushing again too. Someone enlighten me, please.

Plants don't always do as we expect. Many species may be strongly seasonal one flush of growth a year in their native environment at least partly because the environment enforces it by conditions that don't promote growth, or by strong seasonal cues that keep them on schedule. When grown away from those natural restrictions and cues, in conditions that may allow growth at any time, they may cycle continuously or unpredictably. Every species will react differently in every artificial environment.

Epi ciliare does get strong seasonal differences in nature, with late winter being very sunny and dry compared to the rest of the year. It does not get significant day length differences in much of its range like it does this far north. I also see there is a significant amount of flowering reported in every month of the year in cultivation. That tells me it probably is much less seasonal in growth when removed from those natural seasonal differences. As long as you have new root growth it should be reasonable to repot. If there are buds present they may be at risk, but the plant will come through just fine.

For Catt species in general all the same environmental things may apply, though some may naturally have 2 rounds of growth per year. For hybrids the seasonality may get mixed up or eliminated completely as influences from different species cancel out. Mini and compact Catt hybrids especially tend to grow and bloom any time. Still, spring is often the best time to repot because it gives new growth the longest period of prime conditions to get established.

The spikes are just breaking the sheaths. New growth points have started and more new roots.it grew these three newest growths this spring. This does seem to be the same cycle it came to me in. I guess a picture is in order...

Most of North America north of the Mexican border, and Europe, get rain or snow through the year. A lot of orchids from Mexico through northern South America have a relatively short wet season in habitat, with a very long dry season. Much of central Mexico gets no rain, and minimal dew, between perhaps September - October and May. It takes a while for people from a through-the-year precipitation climate to understand this short-wet summer and long-dry winter climate.

A winter-rainfall, summer-dry Mediterranean climate is even harder for many gardeners to understand. Many are unable to stop themselves from watering, during hot periods, Mediterranean plants expecting a warm, dry summer. These gardeners then give them even more water when they start dying. Not many orchids are from climates like this, but some are - mostly terrestrials from winter-rainfall areas of South Africa, western Australia and the eastern Mediterranean.

Orchid species have annual growth patterns conforming to the wet season, and they stop growing in time for new growth to be completed before the dry (or cold) season starts.

In cultivation, in greenhouses, orchids may have a humid, warm and wet season twice as long as they did back home. Plants are opportunists; they may continue to grow, and make more than one new growth a year, when temperature is proper and water available.

Hybrids of many genera include genes from parents with different growing season. Hybrid Cattleyas, especially, can remain in active growth throughout the year if temperature and water are sufficient. Mediterranean plants almost uniformly will not grow during hot weather; their dormancy must be respected.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "To pot or not to pot, that is (was) the question.

So, I assume a careful repot is in order? Or not?

I would go ahead and repot. It needs it. It has new roots coming in. Now is the time.

My thoughts. Gracias.

---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------

A savey gardener knows and uses drought tolerant plants to their benefit. Hellstrips, parking lots, roadsides etc. All work with the plants and growers needs. Sadly, few understand this. Point taken.

Well, gentleman and lady, I just realized I put this thread in the wrong forum! How to move it, I do not know.

However, this plant did need a re-pot. The bark was degraded after only a year. Getting it out of the pot took an act of congress and some soaking. But, I discovered that the back bulbs were also sprouting. Ha! It wouldn't' go back into new pot I bought it so I cut the old pbs off and potted them separately. I have not noticed that it missed a beat so far and now I have an extra if anyone wants one.

See, you did everything perfect! And now a second plant. Plus, I'm glad you put it into the wrong forum, otherwise i would have missed it.

cheers,
Jamie