I bought one that was mounted. It bloomed 3 blooms then died. It never grew anything other than the flowers while I had it. It was hanging in one of my orchidariums. Maybe not enough light.
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Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't been able to post or browse the boards as often as I like- this semester between pharmacology, psychiatry, dermatology, and clinical pathology among others it has been a harrowing experience.
Orchid space is at a premium for me right now so I have become interested in miniatures especially Psygmorchis pusilla aka Erycina pusilla. Information on this little species is hard to find at least for me with questions concerning amount of light required and longevity. The range that I am getting is 1 to 15 years with most people saying that their plant lasted 5 years. Anyone have knowledge of this little guy? I'm not sure if it has a short lifespan or if people have trouble keeping it due to improper culture.
Thanks,
I bought one that was mounted. It bloomed 3 blooms then died. It never grew anything other than the flowers while I had it. It was hanging in one of my orchidariums. Maybe not enough light.
I have no luck with this species myself (killed twice) but one of my friends in the orchid society grows it very well for more than 3 years. don't think they will die without a keiki.
Thank you Harvey and Sriram for your replies. I am encouraged to hear about the keiki. I am taking a chance and buying one that is planted in a little orchidarium bottle. It is growing in what appears to be nutrient agar of some sort. Supposedly the agar and the bottle both make it require less care. Hopefully I will be able to supply it with enough light to get it to bloom. If it goes well I am sure that I can make more agar for it in the future if I can get the recipe. I have made agar when I worked in a biochemistry lab with fungi and bacteria. I have seen it done a few times for genetically modified plants as well and they do seem to grow well in it. None of them were orchids though. As I recall for the plants the fertilizer had to be mixed just right as did the auxins and other hormones.
Isn't it funny that we all seem to have a plant or two that we cannot grow yet others that we can grow that those around us cannot? I cannot seem to grow a Venus fly trap no matter what I do. I really like them so it is shame they don't like me.
I have been collecting succulents lately since they do not mind my dry conditions and I have lots of room for them whereas the orchid tent is full. They all do well if I can restrain myself from watering except for Lithops - the stone like one. I received one in a wholesale lot of other types a few weeks back. The Lithops took one look at me and keeled over and died. I knew it would. They always do.
Too funny. That is describing me and the Venus fly trap. They don't last more than a week or two here. I have my first cactus and succulent arriving in the next few days. We will see if I can manage to keep them alive. I only wish the area where I study would be closer to the orchids so I could have them to keep me company. Right now it is only me and my betta fish in the study room. It just doesn't have the windows. I thought about installing some artificial lights or moving myself to the orchis (no room for the desk) but hopefully by June the intense study days will be mostly over.
It arrived today with three spikes. I do hope that I can get it to bloom.
Good luck! She's cute! One reason I bought mine.
I bought one of these last september it was very small and was still in a bottle in agar. I decided to leave it in the bottle until mounting it in spring. Over winter it has grown very well and flowered in the bottle. It's still in the bottle until the weather in the UK improves.
Ed
Wow so cute make sure you need to take care properly when you want to deflask it.