[OGD] RE: Soph. cernua

[Thomas Hillson]

I would disagree with the article in Orchids, I find that in the 
midwest that humidity is much more important than temperature. I grow 
my Sophronitis under intermediate to warm conditions with about 3000 
foot candles and as much humidity as possible. I have even grown it 
warm under lights with only about 300 foot candles but lots of humity 
and it was quite happy growing and blooming, of course it grew slowly 
in my greenhouse with more light it is much happier growing and 
blooming. After growing plants under lights for years I did not think 
light was that much of a factor, and I find that most of my orchids 
grow better under much higher light than is often recommended. The 
main factor for many of them is humidity. I can not provide enough 
humidity except during July and August, what we call corn growing 
weather. It is  a comfortable 86 with 70% humidity and with my 
misting system it is probably closer to 95% humidity in my 
greenhouse. In the winter I am happy when I can keep it above 70% 
humidity.

--Tom
/----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Tom Hillson            Computer Services Manager
|(515) 294-1543      College of Agriculture
|                                  Iowa State University
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|"The only thing I have too much of is too little time"

At 3:13 PM +0000 7/13/04, K Barrett wrote:
Hello -
I've just acquired a little Soph. cernua at the
wonderful Baton Rouge Orchid Society's show.
Can someone tell me whether this plant will grow
quickly or more slowly? I plan to mount it, and would
like to pick an appropriately sized mount.
Any cultural tips would be appreciated - though I have
researched its requirements online, advice from
another grower (particularly in the south - I believed
the vendor when she called it 'temperature tolerant'!)
would be a real help.
Regards - Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I think there was an article in 'Orchids' this year which stated 
cernua is cool growing - or at least the author of the paper grew 
his mounted and cool.  See 'Orchids' May 2004 pg 354.

So I was AMAZED to read Jay's (and other's) post here that S. cernua 
is Warm growing!  Or at least intermediate.  I changed my plant's 
postition in the GH after reading the 'Orchids' artcle because I 
dimly recalled a similar AOS Bulletin article in the mid 1990's 
saying these should be grown cool.  That article was written by a 
Japanese author also, and I seem to recall that many great huge 4n S 
coccineas come from line breeders in Japan.

So what's the story?  Warm? Intermediate? Cool?  Or is this just 
another example of 'Whatever works for you works for you?'

Based on what I read here I'm going to move mine back to the warmer, 
moister side of the GH.  The plant seemed to grow on that side of 
the GH and hasn't done much since I moved it in May.

K Barrett
N Calif, USA
(I should get a neckbrace for all the cultural whiplash around here! LOL!)
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