All 3 Constantia miniatures arrived!

[Paul]

*Sigh* I should NOT have checked Jay's encyc to see what the flowers look like -- now I REALLY want them. Probably just as well I haven't seen them online ... from what you alluded to, Tommy, I'm suspecting they may be out of my price range. (So heartbreaking when that happens.)

In reference to dividing them up ... while I understand your point, Epiphyte, I would not agree. Many of the micro-minis seem to suffer greatly if divided in to small portions. (Perhaps due to insufficient energy reserves with such a tiny plant?) At least that has been my experience. If the plants received were "large", then I could see dividing them in 1/2 ... but certainly not as many parts as you suggested. Mayhap you are simply far more "gutsy" than I.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by euplusia

Not easy, but Tomas I think you are the man to grow them.

many thanks euplusia, I will do my best and use all the info I have from the grower who sold them to me, I hope they will do fine.

[Paul]

Btw,Tommy, I understand they like it more in the coolish temps ... how will you provide for that in Florida? (Inquiring minds want to know. )

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Paul

*Sigh* I should NOT have checked Jay's encyc to see what the flowers look like -- now I REALLY want them. Probably just as well I haven't seen them online ... from what you alluded to, Tommy, I'm suspecting they may be out of my price range. (So heartbreaking when that happens.)

In reference to dividing them up ... while I understand your point, Epiphyte, I would not agree. Many of the micro-minis seem to suffer greatly if divided in to small portions. (Perhaps due to insufficient energy reserves with such a tiny plant?) At least that has been my experience. If the plants received were "large", then I could see dividing them in 1/2 ... but certainly not as many parts as you suggested. Mayhap you are simply far more "gutsy" than I.

Many thanks Paul. Yes, once you check some pictures on Google and websites, they are extremely "addictive". And it was crazy hunt to even find them in the USA, so I am thrilled to be able to get me, and Hector all these mini plants. I do agree with you, to divide micro/mini orchids is in my eyes always lottery game, due to it's miniature size I do believe it is much harder to establish them and make them thrive, and "large" miniature plant has much more chance to grow fast and healthy. I believe that there are profi growers with great knowledge that can keep even tiny divisions thriving, but I will stick with my big one hoping it is strong enough to adapt and grow well.

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

ok, this is getting out of hands for no reason. So to end this before it will go to posts we do not like, epiphyte, you are of course allowed your personal opinion, and your logic.

You're welcome to exit from this discussion whenever you like. But as long as you make questionable statements...I will question them.

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

However, even I have many many Bulbophyllums that are established, small or big, and blooming, I got last year divisions that were small and they did not just establish and died.

What do you mean by "small"? Were the divisions blooming size? Were they near blooming size? Were they far from blooming size?

I have not once suggested that you make divisions that were smaller than blooming size.

So I'm trying to understand your reasoning of why you feel that a blooming size division of Constantia would not have very good chances of survival. Especially since that's what you originally ordered.

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Was it my fault - who knows, but I did provide exactly the same culture I do for all other from that family,

You provide exactly the same culture for all the species in the largest orchid genus?

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

and therefor I do believe that "small divisions" are sometimes hard to establish, it all starts with shipping stress, climate change, and many other aspects!

Again, what do you mean by "small divisions"? Are you saying that the divisions were near blooming size or far from blooming size or...?

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Regarding the growing tips, no I won't contact other people at this point, as I do believe that seller of these plants that is actually great expert in all mini Brazilian Cattleyas and Rupiculous cattleyas provided me with detailed care and tips. I have many other plants from him, and following his culture, they all do great, including my Cattleya liliputana, so I believe that to stick to the same culture he is providing is actually the best way to go.

This is very questionable. I think it's a given that just because something works for one person doesn't mean it will work for another. For example, just because cork works for many people doesn't mean it will work for me. My conditions are relatively dry and cork retains absolutely no moisture. Nearly any other wood is a better option for me.

Everybody has different conditions...and culture should reflect this.

Culture should also reflect knowledge of the conditions that an orchid experiences in its habitat. Of course conditions in habitats are not perfect...but learning about these conditions can only help increase your chances of success.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by Paul

Btw,Tommy, I understand they like it more in the coolish temps ... how will you provide for that in Florida? (Inquiring minds want to know. )

Paul, I did check with the seller, he provides the same conditions for these as he does for the liliputana, which I already have from him, the one that really likes cold is rupestris, and that one is also in his info hardest to grow and make bloom, so I did not take that one, Hector did. The microscopica he said is "easiest" to grow and easiest to make bloom, and can stand our summer temps when with great air movement and not on direct sun, the cipoensis should be also adoptable to our climate. Will see, if they won't do good outside I will move them to my inside terrariums, providing high humidity and enough light they should be doing fine!

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by Paul

In reference to dividing them up ... while I understand your point, Epiphyte, I would not agree. Many of the micro-minis seem to suffer greatly if divided in to small portions. (Perhaps due to insufficient energy reserves with such a tiny plant?) At least that has been my experience. If the plants received were "large", then I could see dividing them in 1/2 ... but certainly not as many parts as you suggested. Mayhap you are simply far more "gutsy" than I.

Well...I never suggested making divisions that were smaller than blooming size. And personally, I haven't noticed that a division of a blooming size miniature is less likely to survive than a division of a blooming size non-miniature. It could certainly be true though!

But I'm not too sure on the logic of insufficient energy reserves. Energy requirements would seem to be relative. A Constantia has less total energy reserves than say Cattleya intermedia...but it doesn't need as much energy as the Cattleya to put out new growth and roots.

Even if it's true though that somehow a blooming size division of a miniature is less likely to survive than a blooming size division of a non-miniature...by that same logic...it would stand to reason that a specimen miniature is less likely to survive than a specimen non-miniature. If something is less likely to survive...it's more "gutsy" (risky) not to hedge your bets.

[hcastil3]

dun dun dun!!! crazy discussion lol, I'm really happy with all of these guys, I'm learning a lot just from all these discussions and point of views..

Tom has some great info he got from the grower, so Ihope that everything will be ok with these for both of us. :
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[WhiteRabbit]

A reminder to keep posts respectful towards others ...

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by hcastil3

dun dun dun!!! crazy discussion lol, I'm really happy with all of these guys, I'm learning a lot just from all these discussions and point of views..

Tom has some great info he got from the grower, so Ihope that everything will be ok with these for both of us. :
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Thanks Hector, I'm excited and so happy I was able to find these few minis for me and you!