Grammatocymbidian Nathan Newman what's its growth cycle?

[notsogreenthumb]

I just purchased one of these, and I can't seem to find information about things like

How long do the blooms last?

When are it's various cycles, new growth, roots, blooming, etc...? It's in bloom now, so I guess blooming happens in the summer.

It has outgrown it's current pot. If I wait until the blooms are done, should I then cut the spike back as low as I can (dust with cinnamon) and then repot? Or would there be a better time to repot?

The newest p-bulb is straddling the edge of the pot which I assume is not very good for it.

[PaphMadMan]

I'm not personally familiar with this hybrid (correctly Grammatocymbidium Memoria Nathan Newman), but it is 3/4 Grammatophyllum scriptum, and half the Cymbidium ancestry is the warm growing lowland species Cymbidium ensifolium, not very different in general requirments than the Grammatophyllum. The small percentage of cool growing classic Cymbidium hybrid in the ancestry would have little effect on culture.

In all ways I would expect its growth and development cycles to closely reflect Grammatophyllum scriptum. Care for that species or Grammatophyllum in general should be easy to find. Go with it. It does sound like yours should be repotted when flowering is complete, but I know Grammatophyllum can stay in bloom for many months and doesn't resent repotting like some species do. Repot any time there is new growth. And this is one type of orchid where heavier fertilizing during active growth can really boost growth.

[JDT]

[notsogreenthumb]

Great info. Now I'm scared. I've seen posts talking about grammatophyllum scriptum plants growing to be 5-6' wide and 6-8' tall. I've found someone joking about having one being like having a pet elephant, or wanting to unload it at a show for their local ochid club, but not being able to get it out of the house because it won't fit through the door and that they don't have a car big enough to move it around. What have I gotten myself into?!?

I guess the good news is that I can blame it on the missus because she actually picked it out.

Besides, I'll probably stunt the darn things growth.

[PaphMadMan]

It will be a few years before you need a forklift to carry it. It should bloom on a reasonable sized plant, and it should be fine with fairly frequent division. Always keep a piece that is just big enough to flower and give extra divisions away to unsuspecting newbies.

[notsogreenthumb]

Nice, so there is hope. I'll keep that in mind. Based on some of the pictures that I've seen, I'd love to grow it to it's potential, but I suspect the missus would be upset if she "lost" the dining room table to it, but instead gained a room divider.

[JDT]

Good reason to check online before buying, the beauty of having smartphones, it only takes a minute. Might be a good one to go to your mothers when it gets too big or maybe by then you would have moved! I would not be blaming the wife that could get you in deep trouble, lets face it you are the one who bought it!

[Arne]

Great info. Now I'm scared. I've seen posts talking about grammatophyllum scriptum plants growing to be 5-6' wide and 6-8' tall. I've found someone joking about having one being like having a pet elephant, or wanting to unload it at a show for their local ochid club, but not being able to get it out of the house because it won't fit through the door and that they don't have a car big enough to move it around. What have I gotten myself into?!?

I guess the good news is that I can blame it on the missus because she actually picked it out.

Besides, I'll probably stunt the darn things growth.

I heard that everything is big in Texas. It will fit in!

[78Terp]

I would not be blaming the wife that could get you in deep trouble, lets face it you are the one who bought it!

Agree with Jack. No point in getting the wife mad at you!

[notsogreenthumb]

Good reason to check online before buying, the beauty of having smartphones, it only takes a minute. Might be a good one to go to your mothers when it gets too big or maybe by then you would have moved! I would not be blaming the wife that could get you in deep trouble, lets face it you are the one who bought it!

Yeah, I should have checked. I just wasn't expecting any to get huge, and this one doesn't look like it's going to get huge, but then I guess it is pretty young. We'll see.

Unfortunately, mom is 1000 miles away, so it's pretty unlikely that I'd be sending it or taking it there. Houston is a big place. I'm sure I'd be able to find someone local to take it if it comes to that.

I heard that everything is big in Texas. It will fit in!

Very true, good point.

---------- Post Merged at 06:53 PM ----------

It's currently about 2.5-3' tall.