Anders wrote: > >Dear OGD readers! I have been growing som especies of genus >Cycnoches for about 1? years. As always when it comes to the >Catasetinae-group you always hear that these species shoudl have a >strictly dry resting period and no watering until the new growth >sends out roots of its own (right?) My problem is that some of my >plants seem to shrivel into nothing but a dry empty shell during the >rest period! I keep them in a green house with a realtive humidity >of 70% and a temp of 20-25 deg. cent. (68-77 deg. Farenheit). I was >given the advise to keep them much cooler during the winter >rest...does anyone have any good experience with this. I would >really hate to loose any more plants so any good advice is most >wellcomed! RegardsAnders
Hello Anders, Now, I am anything but someone knowledgeable about cycnoches; but, I have talked with people who have tried to grow the species the way you are 'supposed to', meaning not watering them at all, taking them out of the pot and things like that. They killed their plants, as I did. One peruvian orchid club member said that he very lightly waters his plants during the winter dry period and the plants did much better, meaning they lived and went on from there. I think the very important key is keeping moisture from sitting for any period of time at the base of the plant. In nature there is likely long roots that get to where there is moisture and pull it in, but probably at the base of the plant there is little to rot the plant. Maybe if you take some of the media away from the direct bottom of the pseudobulbs before winter would help this or just put the plant where there is a fairly strong breeze will help keep the base dry. About the cooling, I would check out http://www.orchidculture.com and find a culture sheet for cycnoches to download and that will give you some good info about the temps in the area the plant grows in winter, along with other good cultural and such info. Something similar happens to some phalaenopsis that like to dry somewhat in winter if they are watered too much or left standing in water. Water evaporating during times of cool air like in winter can drop the temps too low for the base of the plant and it will start rotting. If the plant base is kept dry but the roots can be watered, say from the pot being set in some water but not being watered from the top, this might be able to happen. hope this helps, let us know how things work charles -- charles ufford oriskany, ny usa _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
