Thanks for the tips. I am in the process of trying to determine when to
bring orchids inside - I put my L. pumila outside this year in hopes that
more light would help - I will leave it out longer than normal in hopes that
the chill works. Although I'm always nervous about leaving orchids out too
long...

John


"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
John Mallery wrote:

Yes, I offered my experience on growing L. pumila as a starting point for
discussion - the plant has thrived for two years - new growth and nice
healthy roots, but there is more than one way to grow any orchid. In fact
I
was hoping to hear how others grow the plant - just to learn some other
perspectives. Any other thoughts on how to grow and "bloom" L. pumila?



I have grown it mounted, and also in clay pots in a relatively open
mix. Either way, in my hands it drys out pretty hard between watering.
Seem to bloom best if left outside until it gets quite cold. That may
or may not be the best way to grow it. They bloomed for me when I lived
in Chicago and put my plants outside, stopped when I moved to Michigan
and grew solely under lights, and seem to be blooming again now that I
have some outside again. Don't know if that is predictive or not. They
grew well enough under lights.

http://www.orchidculture.com/COD/FREE/FS176.html Baker and Baker
suggest that low temperatures during the rest period may be around
51-53F. Mine get much colder than that...

You may wish to get hold of some Lc. Mini Purple (L. pumila x C.
walkeriana). That has much of the charm of L. pumila, and less of the
problems of blooming. Still likes to get a bit of a chill, I think. I
think pumila is kind of interesting, but way too floppy for my tastes.
Personally I prefer some of the second and third generation hybrids, but
nobody seems too interested in what I like, for some reason...

Hope that helps.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit
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