Orchid ID and care info please

[Isotria]

Hi, I just received this orchid for xmas and I would like to know which species it is so I can document myself on how to care properly for it.

Thanks for your help,

Regards,

Iso.

[mayres]

Your plant is Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' AM/AOS and you can go to this site to get a summary on how to care for it http://www.orchidweb.com/dtl_spec.asp?PRecno=707.
Looks like a beauty - if you have any additional questions after checking out the link come back for more! Enjoy! Mike

[Isotria]

Thanks for the ID and the link. I think I am hooked on growing orchids officially now. My minor goals will be to get the paph I got last xmas to flower again and to get theis guy (Beallara) to flower again as well before I get another species. I have just ordered a moisture tray, my humidifier is running and all the plants will be moved to a sunnier spot in the house...

And I thought doing wild orchid photography was a lot of work... :-)

Regards,

Max.

[mayres]

Max - Sounds like you are well on your way! Keep in mind that many (not all) orchids only bloom one time per year. Sometimes they are forced (by commercial growers controlling their environment in a greenhouse) to bloom in a different period than they will normally bloom for the home grower. This means that when the normal period comes along your plant may (or may not) skip its normal period and then bloom the following year. An example would be phals for me. Most of the plants that I have had for some time are spiking right now and will bloom late winter or spring. Plants that I got in summer or fall with blooms are NOT spiking and apparently will skip this period and then I assume spike with the main group next year. Just a thought when you are starting up with new plants and wondering why they are not spiking/flowering. Enjoy! mike

[Isotria]

Hi Mike, soon most of the flowers on my Beallara will be faded. So, I would like to know when should I cut the stem and where should the cut be made along the stem?

Thanks,

Max.

[jerrymeola]

Normally you can not identify an orchid from the flower but this one is very distinct and Mayres is correct.

These are intergeneric hybrids in the Oncidium alliance family. They have Oncidium types mixed it the breeding and care conditions should be like any other Oncidium. Medium light (2500 foot candles noon summer sun is 10,000) and good air circulation. Overall good growing conditions for any orchid.

They bloom one a year (but can bloom in almost any month) yours should re-bloom this time next year, flower stems can get to be 30 inches and flowers can each be almost 6 inches.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

When your plant has finished blooming, cut the spike down as clost to the base of the plant as is comfortable. Used a sterilize tool for any cutting into possibly live material always.