Cattleya Rex & Dowiana Semi-Hydro

[mopwr]

Hey all, I had posted some time back about how I had been trying out semi-hydro on a Cattleya Dowiana rescue... Which wasn't bought as a rescue, but turned out to be one when I got it. It was basically rootless. I've had that plant now for about a year and a half now, it's just kept getting better - now pushing two fairly large growths at the same time (the second time this plant has done so in the time I've had it).

Well, all that success had me wondering how it might work with Cattleya Rex. I have two or three Rex's of various age, but I got the chance to get a mature imported plant (early birthday present) and jumped on it. When I got it, it was growing in pure LECA, though not semi-hydro, but I thought, given it's stage of growth (already had a decent size growth with the beginnings of a sheath) and the fact that it was already in LECA of some kind, I thought I'd try establish it in semi-hydro with the knowledge that it should be pushing roots fairly soon. I thought for sure, given the stress of a import, plus a change to semi-hydro would for sure give me a blind sheath with no buds... But the pictures I attached speak for themselves, four flowers and a boatload of new roots. It actually started pushing roots within a couple of weeks of being in semi-hydro and a good few weeks ahead of any buds forming.

I just thought I'd share where things are right now and my current success to date, I will keep an eye on things, and do my best to keep conditions where these plants like. I'm somewhat hopeful that, even though it's completely the wrong time of year, one or both of my Dowiana growths may flower - it's probably still a bit to small though.

P.S. - I love that orchid roots typically need lots of air around the roots, but for some reason, my Dowiana has grown some roots which are 100% submerged underwater year round. It's crazy how adaptable these plants can be.