a couple of questions about my Cal. vestita

[Carkin]

This is my Cal. vestita v. alba. This type of orchid is totally new to me (my Mom bought it for me last month) so I am eager for any culture information that you might have about it!

I was wondering if I should stake the spike or not. It is about 22 inches long right now.

I read that I am not supposed to give it much water over the winter so I have just been spraying the roots about once a week. Is that correct or should I be holding off all water until I see some shriveling of the bulb?

Thank you!

[wuness]

Carkin: I think I've got the same plant and about two thirds of the flowers are open. The flower stalk is over three feet long so I staked mine as a precaution. I don't see how that could be a problem. As far as watering, every thing I've read suggests they shouldn't be watered much, if at all, during flowering. And then no water at all after flowering until growth resumes. If by "spraying the roots once a week" means you're wetting the medium down to the root zone, I would think that's too much. wuness

[Carkin]

Originally Posted by wuness

Carkin: I think I've got the same plant and about two thirds of the flowers are open. The flower stalk is over three feet long so I staked mine as a precaution. I don't see how that could be a problem. As far as watering, every thing I've read suggests they shouldn't be watered much, if at all, during flowering. And then no water at all after flowering until growth resumes. If by "spraying the roots once a week" means you're wetting the medium down to the root zone, I would think that's too much. wuness

Thank you wuness! So you are not giving your plant any water right now? I was guessing that in the wild they would get some moisture (not bone dry) so I thought if I spray the roots (not drench) it would be like morning dew. But perhaps like you, I should hold off doing that too. Do you have a picture of yours?

Oh, and WELCOME to the forum!

[wuness]

Carkin: Although I've had this plant quite a few years, this is the first time it bloomed for me. Obviously I'm no expert. The online culture data shows the monthly precipitation in the region from Dec. through March at 0.1, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.4 inches respectively. As you say, dry but not bone dry. And it does get some dew.

I'll send you a pm regarding pictures.