Need info / help caring for my C. Warscewiczii

[isurus79]

The leaves don't look that dark, which to me means that it is getting enough light. The fact that this little guy is in what could be considered 'adult plant' media might be the culprit. A little plant like that will dry out very quickly, especially in a fast drying media like clay pellets. Can you increase the humidity by putting the whole thing in a small aquarium or something? I think that would help. Repotting a small plant that is stressed like that would probably be a death knell. I would also not increase the light unless you can increase the amount of water being absorbed by the roots.

[Bud]

you can try that on S/H...but choose the small globules...you need to weed out or sift through your stock and separate the big ones from the small...
the plant will grow better on S/H ...
butdont forget bright shaded lights
and air circulation
electric heat matt or a warm side near the heater
Good Luck !

[isurus79]

P.S. Also don't worry about giving such a young/small plant like that a winter rest. Often with little guys, you can keep the temp and water high during the winter and it will send out another growth, thus maturing that much faster.

[got ants]

Don't take this as an offense, but that is one tiny gigas. I have yet to get mine to bloom, but I only got it last May, so with proper culture, it should bloom for me this year. BUT, the leaves are 10-14" long. You have a few years before it will bloom.

[Bud]

right, Got-ants...the flowers have 7 to 10 in the spike and the bloom can go as 12 inches from petal left to right...big flowers on a big plant...I am in search for the 'alba'...its not rare but its not seen for sale anywhere these days

[jludlow]

Bud - I'm drawing a blank on what is meant by "s/h". Could you tell me? Also, for got ants, no offense on how tiny the gigas is - it was about that size when I bought it and just hasn't done well since. The other two gigas are doing fine and were about the same size when purchased. I expect its at least 5 years from blooming - if I'm lucky and get it to thrive. Almost my entire collection started as young or very young plants and the rest of them are thriving - so this one is my big challenge. Also - I did buy the Blake Culture Sheets.

[silken]

I hope the Baker sheets help. They are usually quite detailed in culture and information. S/H is semi hydroponic. Some people say it works wonders. The plants are usually potted in Leca pellets (little clay balls) and then holes put in the container an inch or two up and water added to where it drains out. the pellets wick up the moisture to the roots. First Ray's website has some good info and supplies. Good luck with your plant.

[isurus79]

You might just have a weak plant then. That happens sometimes. Also, a plant that is not secure in its foundation can often do this. For example, a breeze comes up and the plant wiggles a bit while its growing roots, thus the roots stop growing. The root system gets smaller and less effective over time.