Cleisocentron gokusingii x merrillianum

[Subrosa]

A fairly recent acquisition from Ecuagenera. I did pretty well with a gokusingii until a heat wave hit and killed it, and I knew I was going to try them again. These seem to be very forgiving plants, as my prior one was grown in full sun and this one is in conditions only slightly brighter than I would keep Phalaenopsis. I hope that with lower light and semi-hydro culture that I can keep it cool enough next summer.

[Roberta]

Nice! Love those "true blue" flowers. I grow both species quite shady (and they do survive summer). Gokusingii I have had for quite a few years, so it has "experience". The merriillianum is a more recent addition. (Fortunately when it gets hot where I live, nights cool off somewhat and that probably helps - along with watering a couple of times a day when it's really hot)

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Nice! Love those "true blue" flowers. I grow both species quite shady (and they do survive summer). Gokusingii I have had for quite a few years, so it has "experience". The merriillianum is a more recent addition. (Fortunately when it gets hot where I live, nights cool off somewhat and that probably helps - along with watering a couple of times a day when it's really hot)

I was living just outside Philadelphia when I killed the last one. Here in the mountains it doesn't get quite as hot, and it definitely cools down more at night, so I'm hopeful this one will continue to thrive.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Nice! Love those "true blue" flowers. I grow both species quite shady (and they do survive summer). Gokusingii I have had for quite a few years, so it has "experience". The merriillianum is a more recent addition. (Fortunately when it gets hot where I live, nights cool off somewhat and that probably helps - along with watering a couple of times a day when it's really hot)

I'm sure you must know Marni Turkel. Our OS had her speak at least 6-7 yrs ago and she had some for sale. Her specimen Gokusingii was perfection and I bought a teeny plant that has done nada since then. Now it's in s/m in Phal. light and I. temps. Leaves look great(only 5) but it's obviously out of my league. Begging for advice-TY!

[Roberta]

I do know Marni. She has outstanding plants. Most of what she sells are little... actually her main focus is flasks.

They do grow very slowly. My gokusingii came in a tree-fern "pot", and there it has stayed... eventually the tree fern disintegrated enough to not be able to hold a hanger but the roots were firmly entwined in it so I just dropped into a net pot so that I could hang it. Considering how long I have had it (11 years) and it was blooming size when I got it, hasn't grown all that much - but has produced new basal growths. My merrillianum is mounted and seems to be growing well. I think pretty much classic Vanda culture - the less medium the better around the roots, as long as they can stay damp (so they DO need a bit of something there) Speaking for the gokusingii, once it gets going it blooms several times a year. Maybe try increasing the light just a little. But mostly, they're just slooowww...