Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii

[Ross]

Anyone growing this mini? I'd like to know what to expect. Mine is currently doing OK potted in small fir bark mix and watered daily (supplemented with frequent mistings).

[Bolero]

You can expect small white flowers (with red in the centre) that will open along the spike. The bigger the plant the more spikes you will get. There will be gaps between the petals normally and the flowers should be slightly cuppy in appearance.

I'm doubtful you need to water every day unless it's very warm there at the moment. Every couple of days should be ok. Sarcs can take a lot of punishment as well, there are some varieties (not yours) that grow on tablelands where it snows occasionally.

They grow cool but can take a surprising amount of heat as well. They come from harsh climates and can take a lot of punishment.

Fitzgeraldii should take temps down to the low 30's and even into the high 90's provided you give them enough moisture and misting during the warmer days.

They are wonderful plants and there are thousands of sarcs on the show bench in this country at this time of year. Some of the new colours are spectacular in the new hybrids. Just amazing what you find these days coming through and eventually a lot of the hybrids will make their way to Michigan!!!!!

I have a nice hybrid in spike at the moment and will post a picture when it opens up.

Do you have any other questions? I am not an expert on them but they should be very easy to grow and I have had reasonable success.

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[ospylac]

Bolero, Do you have any knowledge of S.hartmannii? Is it's culture similar to fitzgeraldii? Mine is producing lots of new offshoots, but no flowers.

[Ross]

Thanks, this is what I wanted to hear. It appears to be a slow grower (so far.) Has two new offshoots and a new leaf on the primary lead.

[Bolero]

I have knowledge of both (and more) but I just didn't want to say I know everything about them because I don't. Yes Hartmanii and Fitzgeraldii have similar growing conditions.

I have a hybrid sarc coming into flower now off one growth as a seedling plant and they should flower as fairly small plants.

What kind of conditions do you grow yours under? They should flower in the USA I would imagine around May or June??? In Australia now is the right time as we are heading into summer.

For example one grower I know who has hundreds of them in his orchid house uses Polyflute sheeting as the walls of this house and has the humidity constantly at 70%. Temps vary greatly. Plenty of air movement as well.

They should be fairly easy to flower.

[Ross]

My Fitzgeraldii is in fine bark with sphagnum mixed and kept moist. Under CF light for 12 hours (approx 750 FC light) on timer. I water daily (because the mix and pot dry out easily). The vegetative growth appears very healthy, new leads, etc.

[Bolero]

Sounds fine then for watering...........750FC sounds very low though in regard to light. What does that equate to in real light terms......if you were growing outside? For example what % of shade cloth would give you that kind of reading? Sorry for this question but as we grow outside I have no familiarity with Foot Candles but I do know that is fairly low. If you have trouble flowering the plant then increase the light.

I just realised.......this post is in the Pleuro section. I believe it should be in the Phal section, Sarc's aren't related to Pleuro's.........;-)

[Ross]

That's where the Sarco is listed (in Pleuro section).

Mine gets full sun maybe 2-3 times per week and bright (I was guessing 750 FC) light from CF light 12-13 hours per day. Can increase it easily if you think that is wise.

[Marco]

I don't grow one...but if you dont want it...you can always send it to me

[Bolero]

As far as the light goes I can't say for sure unless I see the spot it's sitting in. Your climate is very different to mine but to give you some idea, mine gets 7 hours of direct sun under shade cloth all year round and the temps vary from 34F to 110F. I try and keep the watering and humidity up during the summer months but am not always successful but they do ok and can tolerate different conditions even if they're not ideal.

As to whether you have the right amount of light to flower the plants I can't say. Do you have local people or a local club that can help with it? I do think 750FC if correct could be a little low though.

Sorry I can't be specific but without seeing it I shouldn't comment........I might get myself in lots of trouble.

;-)

P.S. I love your website and your photography is spectacular!!! You should come to Australia sometime and take photo's of our wildflowers and native orchids, you would get a lot out of it I think. Especially the wild flower display in Western Australia.......it has to be seen to be believed!!!