Hi Marpha,

We are studying a orchid whose leaves can reach about 2 m length. Probably takes a lot of time to reach this size, but Catasetum longifolium apparently is a orchid from dense forests. Also we are following Orchidaceae species that suffer annually drought effects (white sand vegetation formations), so every year in the Amazonian summer the plant assumes the pseudo bulbs form and soon in the amazonian winter the leaves will grow again, and later the flowers. Its common to find fruit capsules still attached to the pseudobulbs in the summer.

Orchids are usually grouped into two broad categories that characterize their growth habits. Monopodial orchids have a single, upright stem, with leaves arranged opposite each other along the stem. The flower stem appears from the base of the uppermost leaves. Orchids with this growth habit include the phalaenopsis and vandas.

The more common growth habit is sympodial. These orchids grow horizontally, sending out new shoots from the old rhizome. Leaves and flower scapes form at the top of the new shoots. Many sympodial orchids form pseudobulbs, which are swollen shoots that store water and nutrients to help the plant survive periods of prolonged drought. Sympodial orchids include cattleya, cymbidium, oncidium and dendrobium.

Orchids can also be classified by their native habitat, which gives an indication of the temperature, moisture and light levels they prefer. Orchids native to the humid tropics, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilum, prefer daytime temperatures of 73° to 85°F, with 80 to 90 percent humidity. They are happiest in an east or southeast window where the light is not too intense.

Warm-climate orchids, including cymbidiums and dendrobiums, are accustomed to an average temperature of 55° to 70°F, a steady supply of moisture, and good air circulation. They are generally happy in a south-facing window, though they may need a little shading during high summer.

Cattleyas and some oncidiums grow where days are dry and relatively cool. They are able to tolerate a long dry season with temperatures of 80° or 90°F, followed by a distinct rainy season. Their need for light is high, so they should be placed in a sunny, south-facing window.

High-altitude orchids, such as masdevallia and epidendrum, grow in the cloud forests where average temperatures are 60° to 70°F, and humidity is very high. These orchids prefer filtered light that is not too intense.

Here is a short video, hope it's useful for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6S_OpW-pzA

Orchids are usually grouped into two broad categories that characterize their growth habits. Monopodial orchids have a single, upright stem, with leaves arranged opposite each other along the stem. The flower stem appears from the base of the uppermost leaves. Orchids with this growth habit include the phalaenopsis and vandas.

The more common growth habit is sympodial. These orchids grow horizontally, sending out new shoots from the old rhizome. Leaves and flower scapes form at the top of the new shoots. Many sympodial orchids form pseudobulbs, which are swollen shoots that store water and nutrients to help the plant survive periods of prolonged drought. Sympodial orchids include cattleya, cymbidium, oncidium and dendrobium.

Orchids can also be classified by their native habitat, which gives an indication of the temperature, moisture and light levels they prefer. Orchids native to the humid tropics, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilum, prefer daytime temperatures of 73° to 85°F, with 80 to 90 percent humidity. They are happiest in an east or southeast window where the light is not too intense.

Warm-climate orchids, including cymbidiums and dendrobiums, are accustomed to an average temperature of 55° to 70°F, a steady supply of moisture, and good air circulation. They are generally happy in a south-facing window, though they may need a little shading during high summer.

Cattleyas and some oncidiums grow where days are dry and relatively cool. They are able to tolerate a long dry season with temperatures of 80° or 90°F, followed by a distinct rainy season. Their need for light is high, so they should be placed in a sunny, south-facing window.

High-altitude orchids, such as masdevallia and epidendrum, grow in the cloud forests where average temperatures are 60° to 70°F, and humidity is very high. These orchids prefer filtered light that is not too intense.

Here is a short video, hope it's useful for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6S_OpW-pzA

Thank for the comment about orchis's conditions grow.

I am interesting of leaves grow period, as of period of fruit's grow.

MTT

In europeanorchids it is only one summer !!!

Traditionally, orchards were planted at low densities of 100 to 200 trees per ha, and the trees thinned out when they began to crowd each other. Other crops were planted between the rows to make use of the land during the early life of the orchard. Many countries are now adopting high-density plantings with 300 to 1,500 trees per ha. These orchards may have double the returns of other plantings, but must be pruned every year after harvest to keep the trees small. Growers also need to pay close attention to watering and fertilizing. Research in Australia has shown that small trees are just as productive as large trees, when yields are expressed per unit of canopy surface area.

For further detail about your questions are related it can easily search on

http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac681e/ac681e08.htm

It's very knowledgeable site

If need any help, don't hesitate to ask from me anytime

as long as I know all tropical orchids growing under wet conditions (Lowland or Montaneous Rain Forest) as well as most sukkulent species like Cattleya or Laelia, bear their leaves several years. The thin-leaved species like Pholidota as well bear them long time, but can buffer drought periods with water storage in their psedobulbs.

Fruits are carried for very differnt times in orchids. This ranges from weeks in temperate region with clear winter season to about half a year. For detailed information I found this table with information from American Orchid Society

http://www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/harvesting-times-of-orchid-seed-capsules.aspx

maybe this can give you a first orientation.

Dear Bastian,

Thank you, it is very correct : it dépense of many factors

yes it need several years for leaves grow ( f.ex, 2 years for Cattleya)...

adore fruits - very différent times, but for some Cattleya - more than year!

I will see you proposer file

Best riches,

Marpha

Dear Marpha,

years ago I breeded some Cattleyas, and it is true that sometimes the fruit is still ripening as the next flower season was over. I thought as well that in Vanda this may be even longer (almost two years), but I never saw by myself.

Dear Bastian,

Thank you for the confirmation of Cattleya fruit period = 12 months.

Following my own observations in Asia generally the period of fruit's grow is shorter (3-6 months; max. 9 months), than among Americans 8-12 months; max. 24 months).

Poorly, for the Am it is only the plants of greenhouses

Cdl,

Marpha

It depends on the species. There are some whose flowers and seed capsules grow faster, and others that are slower. In general, the capsules take about a year to mature.