First time S/H - help needed!

[Janita]

So... this is my poor celogyne cristata. The condition is very bad (as far as I can tel). Almost all the roots are ded and it seams to me that the plant too?!?! It is in this condition for 6 months now and nothing helps.
So I decided to put it in Semi Hydro, but don`t know will it help and is it right? Isn`t it too wet?
I am confused...

[Gurj]

I think it looks ok, just wait and see what others have to comment on it. I tried SH before but the water wasn't good enough.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Orchidmorris]

Hi Janita,

Looking at the snow in the back ground you're on the northern hemisphere, just like me. This means that for C. cristata it's resting time. Mine didn't had water scince oktober, only an occasional spray on top, but the pot is dry. Now also the new bulbs start to shrivel and the new flower start to grow.

I would advice to repot your plant in this time of year and slowly start watering as soon as your new shoots appear. And try to bring it outside during end spring until start of autumn. It's a very hardy species and loves fresh rain water and a lot of fresh air movement. And during growing time fertilize it, the bulbs can be as big as eggs!

Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Orchidmorris]

Oh, and repot it in bark!!! And drain from under the pot!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Janita]

Thank you, Maurice!
I have never heard about rest time for Celogyne before! My oh my! It is only sleeping, but I was ready for funeral!
I will repot it back in bark then and let it rest till spring.

Thank you so much! The first bloom (if it will ever be there) will be for you!

[Orchidmorris]

Wow Janita! Please be carefull for your Coelogyne! I never had the opportunity to have a flower dedicated to me ;-)

Maurice
Posted via Mobile Device

[raybark]

First of all, you need to keep in mind that the best time to repot an orchid is when brand new roots are emerging.

Roots tailor themselves to the environment into which they are growing, and once they have grown, they cannot change. Move them into a new environment - especially one as different as S/H - and the plant will likely have to replace its entire root system. If it's not growing those new roots, the old ones will likely fail and the plant will have no way to take up water.

As to the pot, you do not want more than one or two, 6mm holes in the sidewall about 3 cm from the bottom. More holes accelerate the drying of the medium, and counteract the wicking that makes S/H work in the first place.

[Phimax]

Hi there Janita
Iam in the Netherlands and think our climate is rather similar although at your place probably a bit colder in winter
I have grown coelogyne cristata on my windowsill quite some time and it has flowered almost each year
In summer i bring it outside in the garden in a little shade and do not bring it in until it really starts to freeze Then i place it in a bedroom with hardly any heating so it will be around 14 to 15 celcius
This year I have brought the plant in the greenhouse which was not a good idea to hot in winter so no flowers


Not the best picture but to give you an idea what is possible in not so perfect conditions

Jan

[Janita]

Jan, it is absolutely stunning!!! I want my plant to bloom!!!!! I will keep in mind everything everybody here is telling and I will try and do my best!
Husband just told me that I am like a hen on eggs Sitting on the windowsill and nesting But I am just trying to blandish that poor thing to live!

Ray, thank you for advice! It will help a lot!