Sarcochilus Fitzhartmanii (Fitzgeraldi x Hartmanii)

[brn_thmbs]

Any Aussie lovers out there?
I've got a question about culture...
I've read way too many differing versions of how I should be growing this orchid, followed invariably by "This one is one of the easiest to grow!"
in low light... in medium light... in bright light... :banghead:
wha?
I'm already struggling to keep the leaves hydrated after receiving the plant in sand which I immediately over watered being a total newb, turning many roots to mud over the latter part of our New England winter... But it's recuperating, it's doing much much better putting out roots & new leaves & even a small keiki at the base, but I can't shake the feeling I'm not giving it fully optimal conditions (that is, w/in my available options of course). Things I can control, like waterings, light amounts, temperature & frequency of fertilizing.
So, this brings me back to my question
Any Aussie lovers out there that are growing these beauties?
Tips on R/H, light, temp & to what extent you water them (dry btwn., moist/not wet, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Ray]

First of all, the hybrid is Sarcochilus Fitzhart.

I grow mine under medium light levels - roughly cattleya light - and intermediate temps - low of 55°F. They are in net baskets of relatively loose coconut husk fiber, and get watered about every 2-3 days, but they dry pretty rapidly.

[brn_thmbs]

Originally Posted by Ray

The hybrid is Sarcochilus Fitzhart.

Whoops, I knew that... :P
Thanks for the info tho. After reading up on where these types grow last night; on river rocks at streams edge; I did repot it up higher & in a more open mix of Orchiata, perlite, small charcoal & leca with the hopes it would dry more quickly btwn waterings.

Thanks again Ray! Good luck with your awesome sale going on & have a great 4th.

[Andrew]

I grow mine under medium to medium-low light. I grow mine in a shadehouse in Melbourne, Australia, where the temperatures down to 0oC in winter and up to the mid 30oC's in summer but if you're growing them indoors or in a heated greenhouse in a cold part of the US, I'd aim for cool to intermediate temps, ie Masdie temps.

I'll second Ray's suggestion of using an open potting. I grow mine in a bark:scoria mix in squat pots. Relative to pot size, my mix is a grade courser than I use for most of my other epiphytes, however, I water them more frequently and I try not to let them dry out between waterings. They like water but they also like a lot of air around their roots.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I grow mine under medium to medium-low light. I grow mine in a shadehouse in Melbourne, Australia, where the temperatures down to 0oC in winter and up to the mid 30oC's in summer but if you're growing them indoors or in a heated greenhouse in a cold part of the US, I'd aim for cool to intermediate temps, ie Masdie temps.

I'll second Ray's suggestion of using an open potting. I grow mine in a bark:scoria mix in squat pots. Relative to pot size, my mix is a grade courser than I use for most of my other epiphytes, however, I water them more frequently and I try not to let them dry out between waterings. They like water but they also like a lot of air around their roots.

Would chc mix be reasonable?

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Would chc mix be reasonable?

It probably depends on your conditions. I use 2 bark:1 scoria. I trialled 1 bark:1 CHC:1 scoria in the hope that it would hold more water but still keep the mix open but reluctantly went back to the bark:scoria mix after a few years because the CHC component seemed to decompose too quickly causing problems with the roots. However, I'm not going to outright dismiss CHC for Sarcs because I know several people who grow great Sarcs in both 100% CHC and in mixes containing CHC.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Andrew

It probably depends on your conditions. I use 2 bark:1 scoria. I trialled 1 bark:1 CHC:1 scoria in the hope that it would hold more water but still keep the mix open but reluctantly went back to the bark:scoria mix after a few years because the CHC component seemed to decompose too quickly causing problems with the roots. However, I'm not going to outright dismiss CHC for Sarcs because I know several people who grow great Sarcs in both 100% CHC and in mixes containing CHC.

Cool - thanks for your input! I haven't had trouble with chc breaking down. (I know others have posted that they do - topic comes up now and again here). I just got a Sarc a few weeks ago. Got general care info from the grower, but was wondering about how best to repot (currently in bark, so I may still go that route since it's been happy that way)

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Cool - thanks for your input! I haven't had trouble with chc breaking down. (I know others have posted that they do - topic comes up now and again here). I just got a Sarc a few weeks ago. Got general care info from the grower, but was wondering about how best to repot (currently in bark, so I may still go that route since it's been happy that way)

CHC is really only something that has been an issue with my Sarcs. The roots just don't want to grow into the mix. However, my Australian Dendrobiums grow better in my bark:CHC:scoria mix than my bark:scoria mix and I grow most of my other epiphytes 100% CHC.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Andrew

CHC is really only something that has been an issue with my Sarcs. The roots just don't want to grow into the mix. However, my Australian Dendrobiums grow better in my bark:CHC:scoria mix than my bark:scoria mix and I grow most of my other epiphytes 100% CHC.

good to know! thanks! guess I'll try similar to yours!

[brn_thmbs]

Great info & convo, thx all.
I don't think the mix I'm using will hold enough moisture, so I may change it to include some portions CHC:bark