For those with money to burn... - Page 2 - Orchid Board

smweaver · #11 10-03-2008, 06:40 AM

In my experience C. dowiana hasn't been difficult to grow. To give credit where it's due, I followed the simple advice that's in Chadwick's "The Classic Cattleyas" book (lots of light, warmth and water in the summer, followed by a relatively dry winter rest) and, as a result, all of my dowianas have all grown nicely; the only "problem" is that the one that's the largest currently has nine good-sized growths (pseudobulbs around two inches long, with leaves about six to seven inches long) and none of them have shown any signs of a sheath (of course, never having seen one firsthand before now, I don't know how big the plant has to get before it's blooming size). As for the amethystoglossa, I think the poor thing is confused--or perhaps the realization that it's no longer in Hawaii and now finds itself in the not-so-balmy midwest has convinced it that the end of the world must be at hand and it better go ahead and throw a cattleya version of a Hail Mary football pass if it's got any chance of passing on its genes. :-) I would be interested in trading pics of the dowianas if you're interested. Go ahead and email me since we got off the original topic of this post and anyone reading it might be wondering what this conversation has to do with Hoosier Orchid's nifty auction.

isurus79 · #12 10-03-2008, 03:30 PM

Ill send you the pics right now.

isurus79 · #13 10-03-2008, 03:54 PM

Ok, so apparently adding pics to a PM is a pain in the rear, so Ill add them here. We've already gotten waaaay off topic, so I think a few more extra posts should be ok!
Here is my dowiana with a sheath and a new growth. Ive had it for a couple of years and bought when it was in a 2" pot.....I think. It might have been a 3.5", but I dont believe so.

smweaver · #14 10-03-2008, 05:00 PM

Very nice. Yours looks like mine (see attached). I took this about a month ago and the newest growth is much larger now (though, lamentably, not much larger than any of the previous growths). Still no sheaths, but it's a healthy plant. Do you have much experience with dowiana--and if so, is this species, in comparison to say mossiae or gaskelliana, somewhat smaller in stature when it reaches maturity than other standard unifoliate cattleya species? I suppose, if nothing else, this plant is teaching me patience, which is always a good thing. Thanks for posting the pictures of your plant.

isurus79 · #15 10-03-2008, 06:23 PM

Wow, I think yours is bigger. You should get a sheath on the next growth. This is my 1st dowiana so I can not compare this to the others. If you dont get a sheath on this growth, I would bet that you have more than one plant. I really dont see how a plant can get that big with no sheaths. You leaf color looks good, the bulbs and leaves look the same size as mine and while I cant tell what the roots look like, Im assuming they are ok! Basically, it looks like you have a strong healthy plant. If you got this one from H&R as a seedling or NBS, there is a good chance that you got more than one plant. Almost every single one of my juvy plants from H&R has more than one individual within the pot. That would be my guess as to why you have such a large plant with no sheaths. Of course, you could also just be the proud owner of a 'late bloomer.'

Bad pun totally intended!

smweaver · #16 10-03-2008, 07:25 PM

I actually got this one from Orchids Limited (Minnesota). They're kind of pricey compared to many other companies; however, their products (in my experience) are consistently good. I repotted it early last spring when it first showed signs of new root growth. For some reason, however, the newest growth didn't start until late spring/early summer (perhaps it took a bit longer to get over the shock of being repotted). I don't think I'm going to be repotting it for another couple of years, but when I do, I'll definitely see if there's more than one plant in the pot (which would be a nice surprise). It's got a good root system, although the roots seem to be much thinner in diameter than most of my other cattleyas (especially mossiae's roots, which basically look like rope). I saw that H&R has a blooming size dowiana listed on their site for $65; might go ahead and get one as I figure with five plants of this species, at least one of them should be kind enough to provide me with some flowers before I die. :-)

Jerry Delaney · #17 10-04-2008, 02:44 AM

I wish them lots of luck in getting those prices but isn't it funny how our perception of what is too expensive has changed over the years. I have always tried to convince people that I was "frugal" not cheap!! But, the day was (long ago) that it wasn't that unusual for a single 3 bulb front lead division of SLC Falcon "Westonbirt" might fetch $3,000 and if you found the right people a single back bulb of Cym. Balkis 'Silver Orb' might go anywhere from $300 - $600. Isn't it amazing what science has done to the prices of orchids in general?

dgenovese1 · #18 10-04-2008, 02:51 AM

I ordered 4 plants from them about a month ago, and not one was the size I ordered, and the 2 that were supposed to be mounted were in pots...they didn't even ask if I wanted other than what I ordered...which I didn't. From my perspective, it's a good thing they are closing up shop. I like getting what I pay for.

Gin · #19 10-04-2008, 02:59 PM

Just looking I think you have 2 plants . mine was not that big when it bloomed ,,, the scent is worth the wait ..Gin

smweaver · #20 10-04-2008, 03:14 PM

Thanks, Gin! Now I just have to figure out how to get the two of them (if there are actually two) apart without ticking them off by yanking them out of that clay pot. There are lots and lots of roots snaking their way all over the inside and outside surfaces, and I'm already cringing at the thought of extracting the plant(s). Oh well, I suppose if there are two dowianas in one pot, there are far worse things for a person to have to worry about.

Steve