Question on Burrageara hybrid

[maxciocc]

I purchased a Burrageara Stenfen Isler "Lava Flow" yesterday. It has a long flower spike with one open flower and several buds ready to open. As a relative newcomer, this is "my first orchid" to take care of, as my wife has been nuturing her Phals and Paphs. I have read many different opinions on how to water, fertilize, and care for during winter months. The person at the nursery recommened dormancy in winter and only water when the main p-bulb begins to shrivel during winter. Also he said not to fertilize except when the orchid is growing. I have been taught to weakly weekly fertilize with my watering once a week. It is in a south bay window and does get cool at night. (70 day, 60 at night...our Christmas Cactus thrives under these conditions). We are loacated in western NY. Since it is a hybrid of four genus, there isn't too much information about their care.

Thanks for your input. Gregg C

[mayres]

Gregg, I'm somewhat of a novice but have been growing this orchid (one of my first 2-3) for about a year in an office environment in a large window facing NE. I water weekly and have fertilized about every other time. In this condition it has grown to three times its original size and I just recently split it into three plants all larger than the original. It has bloomed off and on the entire year! My guess is that it will do great with your Christmas cactus. Mike