new orchids

[mammompat]

I got some orchids in 2005 and in May of 2006 I attended an orchid show put on by a local orchid club; I joined the club and in Jan.2007 joined AOS. I have acquired several more orchids from other members and from growers and just recently a collection of young plants. If anyone has any special tips on the care of any of these, it would be lovely to hear from you as most of my other plants are well established Phals, a couple of phrags, etc.
Sedires japonica; Brassavola nodosa; Encyclia alata; Epidendrum parkinsonianum; Gongora armeniaca; Stanhopea ecornuta; Dendrobium kingianum; Neofinetia falcata. Plus I have an Epi cochleata "Green Hornet", an established plant and a Miltonia "Ruby Falls" which I've had since May 2006 and no sign of reblooming. Several phals have rebloomed, also a Hwra Puanini Lava Burst and a Keferolla so some things seem to be happy. Help!

[tom499]

You've got quite a range there, some being very different to the usual orchids for sale, for which i am very jealous of

Quite of few of those will need looking up, almost be worth buying a book on orchid cultivation,the names you mention crop up in mine.

See what other people have to say

[Sharyn]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You have a nice selection of orchids. There are a number of culture sheets posted here on the forum and I presume you have already checked out the sheets with the AOS.

I can help you with the Neofinetia falcata, as I recently purchased one myself. This link will give you general care information. There are also several other members who grow this type. Check out the link and good luck.
http://newworldorchids.com/pages/neoculture.htm

[jerrymeola]

Bassovola nodosa should have flowered by now. Give it more light. They can take a lot and all Cattleya alliance need about 3500 foot candles. July noon sun is around 10,000.

The Epi cochleata "Green Hornet" is slightly off name since "Green Hornet" was given to the cross rather than the species although they look a lot alike.



It is blooming time now and again give it a good amount of light.

Miltonia like it cool with good air circulation, but should do well in Pennsylvania. They are harder here in Florida. The Den kingiamum also likes it cooler than most Dens in the United States.

The Encyclia bloom only from March to May so you have missed this year. They like a lot of light and should be put outside as soon as the last chance of frost has passed. They can grow into exceptional plants and are very fragrant. They are reliable bloomers every season so I really think you are growing then without enough light.




The Phals and Lava burst you have already found bloom easy. They are both hybrids. But most of the plants you own are species and a selection, that like very different conditions.

In general it is much harder to bloom species orchids (recognized by the lower case first letter in the second part of the name). The hybridizers work to get orchids that bloom more often. I find species often skip a year or two and almost always do not re-bloom the first year I own them. It seems to take a full year for them to get established. Even a sligh variance from the conditions they desire and they stop flowering.

An example is the B. nodosa you have which does not bloom as easy as the primary hybrid B. Little Stars, which looks almost exactly the same.




There are hobbyist who grow only species for the challenge, but you may want to look for some easier to bloom hybrids to balance your collection. Cattleya are a good place to start.

Try to learn one family at a time. I would not know where to put your collection if you gave it to me. They have so many different likes and dislikes. I usually tell my customers to tell me WHERE they want to grow the orchid and I recommend something that will do well in those conditions.

This Bossovola hybrid grows like a weed and is easy to bloom.



Most Blc hybrids are easy sogo Doll being one of the easiest

[robb]

jerry, your collection of plants, blooms, and info always amazes me. the variety that orchids produce is absolutely fascinating!