Upon arrival-Aspasia

[sandra]

I received the plant on 4/2/08. There are 6 growths (haven't measured lengths yet), 3 previously bloomed growths and one slightly yellowed bulb which, I'm a bit uncertain of. I have it on the patio which is basically an outdoor setting, facing east but in a shady spot, low light. It's back is against the open screen. I think it will need to be moved once the weather gets warmer to indoors but right now, temps are averaging low 80's and breezy with a fan blowing. I watered it the following morning and again on 4/7/08 with worm tea, Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed plus Iron, nothing else. I'll start a weakly, weekly regimen of 20-20-20 fertilizer next watering. I may repot into a smaller pot and have not decided if I'll change the medium.

Any literature and culture information other members have on this species, please post! Thanks.

[snowballsarebad]

Cool.
I had one, but my cat tried to eat it. It never recovered. So..probably not the person to help you. However...I think it was pretty sensitive to sunburn, so you might want to be careful about that.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by snowballsarebad

Cool.
I had one, but my cat tried to eat it. It never recovered. So..probably not the person to help you. However...I think it was pretty sensitive to sunburn, so you might want to be careful about that.

This is a good start snowballs.

Ok, so it doesn't like cats or direct sun. Got it covered now, thanks!

[Normkp]

Hi Sandra,

As you know, the basics from the IOSPE site, IOSPE PHOTOS are these

A Brazilian, small sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte with strongly laterally compressed pseudobulbs carrying 2 glabrous, subcoriaceous, lanceolate to ligulate, acute, basally conduplicate and articulate leaves that blooms in the spring on a erect, 3 3/4" [9 cm] long, few [1 to 3] flowered, basal inflorescence. After flowering a short 1 to 2 month rest is beneficial, resume watering and fertilizer with the onset of new growth and flowers best if given very cramped quarters in a small pot.

The Orchid Species Preservation Foundation says

The Moon-Shaped Aspasia is a small epiphyte from Brazil with compressed pseudobulbs. It requires a lot of water during active growth, and a month or two of rest for a dry period. Moderate shade and humidity should be given in intermediate to hot growing conditions. It is best potted in an epiphyte mix or mounted. The inflorescences have one to three flowers and blooms in the spring months.

Somewhere I found a post that talks about the Aspasia being quite thirsty. Man, is it ever. Seems I'm soaking mine every other day. I think I remember this post saying it wants to fed frequently. I'll keep looking and see if I can find my source. Meantime...

Here's a pic of one bursting out in flower, and another of mine when it arrived on April 3rd.
Norm

[patticake]

Norm, Awesome photos! Thanks for the info too- I hope mine does o.k.- I've been kind of winging it!

[tizzycat]

Ok you guys, NOW I'M GETTING IMPATIENT.

I still have a grower trying to source two or three (Aspasia Lunata incl.) of the species plants for the project.

I'll ring him again as soon as it reaches a civilised hour (5.17 a.m here - Hubby was up and off at 4.00 a.m. for a trip to Poland).

They all look wonderful I hope mine is half as good WHEN I get it. In the meantime I'm enjoying yours.

[sandra]

OMG Norm....this is great!!!! Thank you so much for all this information. I've been in the dark with this one, haven't been able to find any info. on the lunata except the little bit from the IOSPE site until you posted here. For one, the watering intake was a mystery and had no idea they were in the thirsty category.

Those pics are beautiful. I'm even happier now after seeing that bloomed one you posted, that I chose it for the project. Is that one of your plants as well?

Keep the information coming! And a big thanks again.

and tizzycat....hurry!!!!! We miss you!

[tizzycat]

OK I rang the grower and he says my plants are on order from another grower and will be with him on Friday. So I will ring him on Sunday to see what the damage is, pay him and wait for them to arrive.

He has already told me that the Spicerianum is going to be expensive (at least £25.00)........... ouch!!!!!!!!!! never mind it's all in a good cause. I hope it likes me

He said the Aspasia wouldn't be as expensive. Whatever, as long as I get them - it will be worth it.

[Normkp]

Originally Posted by sandra

Those pics are beautiful. I'm even happier now after seeing that bloomed one you posted, that I chose it for the project. Is that one of your plants as well?

Keep the information coming! And a big thanks again.

and tizzycat....hurry!!!!! We miss you!

You're very welcome, Sandra. I get so much from all of you it's a pleasure to be able to give something back.

Yeah that is a great pic. I had no idea a blooming one would look so fine.

And yes, that's mine after it arrived on April 3. It looks happy and well potted. So far I have no plan to repot. But I notice most of you repot as soon as a new orchid arrives. I'm fairly new at this, so when a plant comes to me looking like it's comfortable I don't disturb it... don't want to unnecessarily add to its shock. But maybe I'm taking too much for granted. Maybe I should be checking roots on every new plant. I'd be interested in hearing what the rest of you do.

Norm

[sandra]

Norm, I have always repotted new orchids as they make their way to my house. Exception was made with my lunata and also my Enclyclia Green Hornet, both of which I got from Oak Hill. Their potting medium looks exceptional and I decided that until I can determine how well or not well the lunata is responding, I'm keeping it as is. Water needs are more important at this point and like I said, this medium appears to be outstanding quality and especially being a species, I'm more comfortable with it being in something organic vs. Hydroton, my second choice. I may add some coco chips to it later on. We shall see......

[sandra]

Originally Posted by Normkp

Yeah that is a great pic. I had no idea a blooming one would look so fine.

And yes, that's mine after it arrived on April 3.
Norm

Norm, what about the pic on the left (bloomed)? Is that one yours too?

[Normkp]

No Sandra,

I'm a rookie. It's hard for me to imagine that I could bloom something that beautiful--though that's why I'm here... looking for the knowledge and skill to do just that.

The picture is one I found somewhere on the web.

[Normkp]

One of the senior members at the Orchid Board--Mauro--had this to say about growing Aspasia Lunata,

"The trick with this kind of Oncidiinae is to keep the root tips healthy avoiding any kind of injury, especially those caused by the fertilizer salts (assuming you use chemical fertilizers). Also, it is a good idea to adjust the pH of the fertilizing solution to the acidic side, something around 6. I give my Aspasias and Miltonias the same treatment I give my Draculas when the subject is chemical fertilization: I fertilize, wait 20min, half an hour more or less, then I water thoroughly to wash any residual salt away. By doing this you keep the media always free of salts and prevent the root tips from burning (by the chemicals)."

It was news to me so I'm passing it along here.

Here's the link to Orchid Board

Aspasia lunata var. albina - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[sandra]

Norm, thanks once again. Yes, Mauro...I forgot that he had one.

Don't use fertilizers on my Dends. (except the nobiles) and have decided not to use any on this one either.

[Stitz]

I have grown this Aspasia lunata for years. It LOVES fresh water! It is best to repot every year, if possible. Roots rot easily in old compost with this one. Don't ask me how I know; trust me!

--Stitz--

[patticake]

My Aspasia lunata loves Halfmoon, NY, USA water! With occasional worm tea mixed in!

[Normkp]

Originally Posted by sandra

Don't use fertilizers on my Dends. (except the nobiles) and have decided not to use any on this one either.

No fertilizer at all? Just worm tea? Fresh water...and...that's it?

[sandra]

Stitz, thanks for the info. Please feel free to offer any tips for growing the lunata.

Originally Posted by Normkp

No fertilizer at all? Just worm tea? Fresh water...and...that's it?

Norm, I had a feeling you'd question this. I've had some adverse effects on my Catts from fertilizing (some in Hydroton, others in DynaRok), my Phals I do weakly weekly, my Dends are in bark and I'm not keen on Dend keikis which I saw more of when I started fertilizing but fertilize the Nobiles (20-20-20 and, maybe if I get a lower nitro fert. for the other Dends?) but I do use Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed plus Iron for root and vegetative growth on the lunata and worm tea but not regularly. I'm unsure about all fertilizers.

Do you think it's a bad idea not to fertilize the lunata?

[Normkp]

Sandra, I really don't know. I'm at sea with everything but Phals, so I'm looking and asking. So far I've done only water and worm tea with my Aspasia. But now we're about to break into warm weather and I'm thinking I need to do more.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by Normkp

Sandra, I really don't know. I'm at sea with everything but Phals, so I'm looking and asking. So far I've done only water and worm tea with my Aspasia. But now we're about to break into warm weather and I'm thinking I need to do more.

I think the same thing Norm...about needing to do more. I've read that these should be heavily fertilized regularly...I'm just a bit leary though and trying to give it what it would naturally take in with a little additional organic help. I've also read that it's sensitive to the water and rainwater should be used. Can't do that but it's getting water from the tap that sits out for 2 days before using.

[Normkp]

Originally Posted by sandra

I do use Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed plus Iron for root and vegetative growth on the lunata....

Your Maxicrop sounds like a great supplement, Sandra (i looked it up). Right now I'm thinking I'll start up a 20-20-20 at half strength (with something like your Maxicrop to fill in the nutrient blanks), feed that every other week, interspersed with water, then worm tea, etc.

If that's not a good plan I'm hoping others will step in and 'pull my coat' as they used to say.

[Stitz]

Sandra, Thank you for your encouragement to add to this thread.

from OrchidWiz:

Charles Baker (Orchid Culture - Charles and Margaret Baker) : "WATER: ….in the habitat, rain is relatively heavy most of the year, but for 2-3 somewhat drier months in winter conditions are drier, but it is not a true dry season. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily most of the year, but conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy."

If adequate watering and humidity are not maintained while in active growth, this species will quickly react. "Accordion" leaves will be the result.

My experience with Aspasia lunata includes considerable experimentation with conditions. I found that this species tolerates a LOT of light, but not direct sunlight. Maximum flowering will be achieved when the leaves have a slightly yellowish tinge. If grown with less light, the plants will have pretty green leaves when not flowering but what's the point? Your choice--pretty leaves or pretty flowers?!

My observations re: temperature are that this is a temp tolerant species. There's no question that it handled the high temps here in Md near 100°F (38°C). It prefers day temps around 80F and night temps around 60F. These plants are NOT fussy. Don't get overly concerned with precise recommendations by anyone!

My plants came directly from Santa Catarina, Brasil. In the home habitat, winter low temps go lower than 50°F (10°C)! I make certain that mine stay outdoors anytime the temp is 50+F in early spring to 45+F in the autumn. My winter lows hover in the low 50s. I currently use a common storm door, bug screen overhead to provide shading during the midday. The leaves are a beautiful green. That will change in June. Of course, what happens in Md won't work in S. Fla!

Good Luck with your project!!

--Stitz--

[Normkp]

Thanks Stitz,
Very helpful information. I'll see if I can use it to loosen up some accordion leaves.
Norm