Clowesia - growing suggestions?

[orchid_fan]

Hello everyone! I purchased two Clowesias last month - a Rebecca Northen and Grace Dunn. I was told not to water them until I see leaf growth. But now it's been around a month and I'm starting to feel guilty about depriving these little ones of water. Is this the proper way to care for them? Won't the roots dry out if I don't ever water them? Help!

Any other growing tips for Clowesias are much appreciated. I don't have any experience with these at all, but I found them to be so sweet that I wanted to give it a try. I hope I don't wind up killing them!!

[LJA]

Nance, I would grow those as you would Catasetum. When they're not in an active growth stage, water just enough to keep the PBs from shriveling, and then increase water once new growth starts to show up. Seems that Mike and Prem both grow these though; maybe one of them will see this post, or you could PM. I don't think the plants should be allowed to get absolutely bone dry for any length of time, but one of those two guys would know more.

[orchid_fan]

Thank you, Louis! I'm not comfortable with letting these go completely dry unless, of course, that's the proper thing to do. So thanks for your advice, and I'll shoot a PM off to those two members.

[tenman]

[QUOTE=orchid_fan]Hello everyone! I purchased two Clowesias last month - a Rebecca Northen and Grace Dunn. I was told not to water them until I see leaf growth. But now it's been around a month and I'm starting to feel guilty about depriving these little ones of water. Is this the proper way to care for them? Won't the roots dry out if I don't ever water them? Help!

I have grown two Grace Dunns and a Rebecca Northen. I killed the R.N. by watering it, just once, when it was sleeping. Rotted within days. The Graces I let sit completely dry until I had new growth - new ROOT growth, after the new growths sent them out. I received one Grace as a two-bulb plant the roots of which had been removed. It sat in a pot all alone until the above mentioned growth requirements were met. Did great, bloomed with 2 spikes.

They do not use the old roots at all. If you have trouble with the plants withering too much, what some growers do is unpot the plant and set it back in the (plastic) pot. Bare. it can then be watered very occasionally with much less risk of rot.

tenman

[LJA]

Good to know, tenman. Thanks for answering that.

Checked out your website, too--some very nice pics you have there!

[orchid_fan]

Hi Tenman,

Thanks very much for the tips. Is it okay to mist them during the resting period or should I just leave them alone completely?

Thanks again!

[tenman]

Misting won't hurt them, I don't think. It may keep them more hydrated if you don't have high humidity and obviate the need for any emergency watering.