I think I need help- Ren. citrina seedling

[Salixx]

I ordered my first batch of orchids in a long time in early April of this year. One of them was a seedling Renanthera citrina seedling. The grower said it was easy to grow and I didn't really think much of it.

Of the three orchids I bought, only one looked healthy and, needless to say, this little guy wasn't one of them. I'm going to just come out and say it came from Norman's Orchids because I know they have a reputation and I learned of this too late. Unpacking instructions said to wait a month before repotting. It seemed fishy to me so I went ahead anyway since it was potted in densely packed, broken down sphagnum. My suspicions were confirmed... the little guy only had two roots and one was rotten. New mix consists of about 50% sphag and 50% orchid bark mix. I potted it in a plastic pot (I think it's a 2 or 2.25'' pot) with holes drilled into the sides for more air movement.

Fast forward to now. I know at least one other root has grown, potentially more. This one is near the surface of the potting mix so I can see it. The seedling also no longer flops around like it used to without a stake and the leaves are quite firm. I thought it was starting to grow, as a little bud appeared mid-May. However, now it seems to have stopped. The little leaf bud hasn't grown at all since May. I'm starting to wonder if I am doing something wrong.

I grow it in my skylight, which is tinted to prevent my apartment from cooking. On a sunny day, the plant gets 'direct' sun through the skylight from about 6:30am to 12pm. The intensity of this sunlight peaks at about 2,000 fc according to my light meter. I water when the medium approaches dryness and I do this by dunking the plant in ~room temp water. Usually this comes out to about 2X per week. During one of the waterings, I also fertilize. I was using Miracle Grow's orchid mix, but just switched to MSU's tap water mix this past weekend. I usually follow the instructions on the labels for dosing, but was doing about 1/2 recommended with the MG fert.

I have/have had other orchids in the same window. An Angraecum didieri, two different Catt. hybrids and a Bulbophyllum maxillare. One of the Catts is new- I have had it about 10 days, but the previous one grew a new pseudobulb to about 2'' in these conditions by mid-May before I moved it outside (this one came in on the same order as the Ren. but was the only health looking plant). The Bulbo. has flowered and has three new growths (just noticed a new one last night!) since moving to this spot a month ago. I will say the Angreacum hasn't really done anything either... maybe Vandas don't like me?

Here are some pictures of the Ren.



I know it's over-potted but this size is the smallest pot I have. The only thing I could really do different is plant it in a clear Aircone pot I have recently acquired (same size though).

What do you guys think? Am I doing something wrong or am I impatient?

Sorry for the long-winded post... I may be prone to giving too many details!

Thank!

[Leafmite]

I grow a few Angraecoids (including didieri) and they are slow growers...except for the roots. The roots tend to grow like crazy. I grow them in basket pots and red lava rock so I can see SOMETHING happening. I find that the Angraecums either will need extra calcium or a fungicide as they are very prone to fungus issues. I go the extra calcium route. I use powdered milk when they are outside and Cal-mag when they are indoors. I also use an MSU fertilizer for all my orchids. Be careful to flush the medium periodically so that the fertilizer doesn't build up over time. My didieri get direct morning sun for a couple of hours and then shade the rest of the day.

I don't grow the Renanthera citrina so I cannot really help you there. The V-types I grow take varying degrees of partial sun (I live in Ohio so the full sun types are not practical) so there is no blanket advice where these are concerned.

[Fairorchids]

Pot size is fine, allowing the plant to grow. For BS citrinas, I use 3.1/2" net pots, with a mix of 2/3 spaghnum and 1/3 bark.

It should be fine with the light you are giving it.

[Salixx]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I grow a few Angraecoids (including didieri) and they are slow growers...except for the roots.

That is a good point. I actually have two didieri. The one in the window and one in a terrarium. I'm growing them differently to see how they respond. Both plant's roots have grown like crazy. Maybe the Rens are too and I just can't see it since I potted it before I had clear pots.

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Pot size is fine, allowing the plant to grow. For BS citrinas, I use 3.1/2" net pots, with a mix of 2/3 spaghnum and 1/3 bark.

It should be fine with the light you are giving it.

Thanks for the reassurance and I'm glad the pot is okay. I guess I'm being a bit impatient and expecting too much from the little guy.