Schomburkia- any info will be very helpful

[margo]

I got one (bare roots) couple of days ago. I had no clue what was it so I mounted it to a tree. At Redlands I saw the same thing and it turned to be Schomburkia (don't know what kind I got). I saw the picture of the bloom there and realized, that one of my flasks is Schomb. tibicinis and another one is a cross with it. It's hudge and I am thinking it needs to go in a pot. Any info will be greatly appreciated. What potting mix I need for it, light, watering, fertilizing, etc. Here is a pic of the gigantic one at the Redlands.

[Molly Taco]

I like to keep my Schombs on a tree, keeps their feet dry ( they HATE wet feet). I have mine on my palms and they are doing great. If you choose to pot it I suggest an empty basket, just anchor it and let it go.
I have 2 in spike I can't wait !!!!
Have Fun, Cin

[margo]

Please post pics when it blooms. This was given to my hubby as a gift (not the one on the picture, but my smaller one) and...... I was very happy but not ready for it. Is it fast growing? Easy to bloom?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Give it high light and like Cin said, dry feet. Treat it like a standard cattleya. If you have a basket (like the one in the photo) you could use lava rock to help support it until it takes over the basket. I have a small (seedling) schomburkia that Abro sent to me a couple years ago. The little thing grows fast, but not very big for me yet. It is still in a two or three inch pot with very little medium.

Cheers,
BD

[margo]

BD, thanks! The one on the tree is big- only one, but about 10". Flask doesn't seem to grow fast at all, that is whay I was asking. When I bought it about a month ago the seller told me it needs to stay in the flask until it gets as big as the others (to the top). It's still in the flask and it seems to me like it will take forever to get to the top.LOL

[Molly Taco]

If you are going to keep it outside be careful with lava rock, I killed a huge Undulata because the lava stayed to damp. I grow mine in almost full sun.
Cin

[margo]

Thanks, Cin! I should move it than... I picked not too sunny tree... If I just run to the store and get a basket for it how ofter should I water the roots? Thanks for all your help BD and Cin!

[Molly Taco]

Even in this drought I only watered them once a week, sometimes the ones on the palms don't get watered for weeks. They don't seem to care. Now I have to say that the one in the lathe house that gets a little more attention has 4 spikes that are 5' , the one in the back yard that gets a little more attention has 1 spike that is about 4' and the one in the front yard that hardly ever gets attention has 1 spike 3'. By attention I mean that they see fertilizer and a little more water.
Cin