Sophronitis cernua x sibling

[Jef09071984]

new to my eyes, thanks Phillip

[orchidsal]

I can see and understand your interest in miniatures Phillip and I will have to purchase a few more of these neat orchids such as the one you posted here. AL

[Phillip C]

Jose, these are the first mini's that I have procured having here to for limited myself to Angraecums and a few like them. If nothing else, the mini's are cute and maybe I will be up for the challenge of growing them. It certainly won't hurt to keep getting good advice from the good folks here at OT.

Thanks for the welcome back, I am recovering slowly but surely. Take care and it was nice to hear from you.

Phillip C

[Jose R. Nieves]

Phillip (aka Bigfoot):
There is a nice pic on Jay's site of a plant in situ. All the roots (or most of them) seem to be exposed so it seems they need to dry out between watering. Would be nice to see how it goes in a couple of months,
Jose

[Tom-19951]

Phillip, it is an intermediate(or even slightly warmer) grower. A well grown/healthy plant does have good root system. Majority of Sophronitis species, including S. coccinea, are intermediate grower, but slight cooler in winter is benefitial.
I grow mine(S. cernua) on cork mount without moss, bright light, good air movement, dry-out between waterings. It is an easy one to grow but the flowers aren't that long lasting. You should keep it even drier in winter if your growing condition is more seasonal(cooler).
Good luck with your miniature species adventure.

[Phillip C]

Tom,

Thank you for the in depth culture advice of my Sophronitis. Here in Atlanta we do have a cooler winter and I will keep it a bit drier than the rest. Maura and I grow indoors in our living room with a south facing window so it will be fairly easy to keep it a little warmer (placed near the sliding glass door where temps are fairly warm during sunny days. We have a few small fans for air movement and even thought we are running three humidifiers the relative humidity stays around 50% or so in the heat of the apartment.

I found out that the flowers re fairly short lived as mine have been gone now for several days. They are beautiful though when in bloom and I look forward to seeing them again nest Fall or Winter. I will get my trusty Micro lens out again and try for some better shots next year.

Thanks again for the good advice. Knowing what you have told me I know I stand a better chance of keeping alive and re-blooming it.

Phillip C

[eorchids]

I found out that the flowers re fairly short lived as mine have been gone now for several days.

Maybe this plant was blooming for a long time before you buy it.
Cernua's flowers are really long lasting in my conditions, almost 1 month.

[Tom-19951]

Eric, I am not going to comment on your statement because it could happen under certain condition. However, majority of people do agree the flowers are short-lived. Mine was short-lived. I did a little survey(a thread) at another forum last year and the people who particpated the survey did say their flowers last about a week or 10 days.

[eorchids]

Eric, I am not going to comment on your statement because it could happen under certain condition.

Tom, that's why I wrote "in my conditions" and I should have added "for my plant".

For growing tips we agree, that is the essential.

[Germinatorman]

Phillip,
I believe you picked the easiest of the Sophronitis. At least it has been for me. I had one that bloomed twice each year for years. I misted it every other day on its mount and soaked it once per week with R/O water. Up to a dozen blossoms open at a time. Bright light under a rack of T5s. Right now I am growing and blooming another Sophronitis, and hope to find more species to try.
Best of luck and welcome back.
Don