Hi Diane....
How are your Medinillas growing??? Which one is it? Has it bloomed before?
I have a couple of them (4 to be exact) and 3 of them are growing epiphytically in trees or in rocks...they get bright indirect light, the red ones even get sun in the morning, and they bloom constantly. Lots of water, very loose potting medium and fert.
Carol
Medinillas to bloom?
It is Medinilla magnifica. I've had it for probably 5 years. It bloomed the second year I had it but haven't had any luck since. It was a tiny thing when I got it But has grown considerably. I've never cut on it at all. I repotted it last spring-summer finally. I kept putting that off in case it was one of those thing that want to be root-bound to bloom. It is in a sheltered south window so gets bright light until 3-4 in the afternoon. I give it only RO water- so it is one of my plants that really gets babied! LOL I don't let it dry out too much but don't really give it lots of water- maybe that's a problem? I do occassionally fert. Are they heavy feeders?
After re-reading.... Yours are growing epiphytically. Should I maybe add bark to the soil? I always use a soil-less mix we carry at work- Berger. It's a ph-balanced canadian spagnum moss base with perlite and etc. added. It's the best stuff for me I've ever used. I just ammend with whatever I think the plant needs on an individual basis.
OK...maybe you could try this:
amend the medium with orchid bark, pebbles. I would give it rain water if you could...RO water is devoid of any minerals at all. i really like MSU Fertilizer...they have one for RO water.... i would water it more if the water runs thru it quickly. Mist it if you can.... I foliar feed mine about every 3-4 months with Miracle Gro and Messenger.
if I think of anything else I will let you know....
Carol
Thanks!
If I can figure out this one I want to get a red blooming one!
Carol, can you give any tips on trying some cuttings of Medinilla? I've read that they need a quick draining potting mix and high humidity to "take."
Cathy
HAHAHA...I have NEVER been successful rooting medinilla cuttings...but I have grown them from seed. When/if those little 'berries' turn deep purple/black, smear them on some damp spagnum and keep damp...they will sprout.
Sorry....
Carol
Cool, there are some little black ones hanging right now! I sprinkled some into the soil, to see what would happen, but I will pamper some with a nice damp sphagnum bed tomorrow! I think I'll try a cutting too ...maybe if I sing to it...NOT!
The seeds are tiny and are all in that little pod.....you need to smear them...moooosh them onto the spagnum. We do it on the moss growing on trees here!!! It will take a year or two.
OK...this is what I was told about cuttings: Cut off a cutting from a branch that has produced a set of leaves that are just getting 'over' being new. Some medinillas have a red tinge to the leaf...so before that tinge is totally gone. Cut just under the node after the node with the newer leaves. Cut each of the leaves in half...put in a VERY loose mix (like 100% perlite and do any dance you know that will work. i would try a couple just in case. Keep HUMID and in indirect bright light....
Good luck :>))))
Carol- Did I get that right?! You smear the seeds (Medinilla) on the moss growing on the tree?????
Yup.
It is moist, there is air flow....perfect for germination!!!
Thanks for the very good information Carol, and Diane, do you have a picture of yours?
Carol, I followed your excellent instructions for squishing the seeds onto sphagnum. We'll see what happens... In any case, I learned a new way to start some interesting seeds!
Thanks much, Cathy
I've got a Medinilla magnifica too. I got it probably early last spring. It's been blooming almost continuously since early summer and is still going strong. It's in almost fun Florida sun and did look a bit fried in the summer and the recent cold snap (got down to the high 30's) didn't seem to bother it at all. It is in a really wet location so maybe that's whats helping it despite the sun & temps. I love it, it's still pretty small and I can't wait til it gets bigger. And I can't wait until the berries turn dark so I can try the epiphyllic seed starting!