The Orchid Garden

B. nodosa x L. angereri

Question:

I bought a Brassavola nodosa x Laelia angereri with delicate orange flowers and am wondering how to take care of it.  

this plant is different from your phals in that it does have the capacity to store some water, and can tolerate/needs more light.  you have your phals in filtered soft light.  put the Bl. in a south window with dappled bright light–or somewhere where it gets direct light in the early morning–never harsh direct noontime type light.  if the leaves are in the light for at least half an hour and dont feel warm to the touch–the light is not too strong (as a general rule of thumb).  they need several hours of good light each day–espec when actively growing. judywhite, in Taylor’s guide to Orchids  recommends a pot with a coarse mix that lets water drain through–a thorough drenching , and then let the pot dry out for a few days.  can  fertilize weekly, half strength–or every two weeks–whatever you prefer.  she mentions a short, two week rest from water and fert after the new growth for the year is completed. I grow outdoors and we can get a lot of rain here.  so, I have mine mounted on cork bark and water frequently when it doesnt rain.  I feed weekly. dont know what type of oncidium the "aloha" is–but, usually they have good water storage and like lotsa light, too.   hope this helps Audrey

Response:

Okay, I’ll try it again.  I can’t believe that none of you experts could help me on my first post, so I’ll assume it didn’t appear. I bought a Brassavola nodosa x Laelia angereri with delicate orange flowers here at an orchid show put on by Orchideria di Morosolo (http://www.orchideemadeinitaly.com/it/pozzi.htm – unfortunately the English pages are not up yet) and am wondering how to take care of it.  The owner told me it needs lots of light (now next to my Phals in a south window, but without the gauzy curtains that are protecting the Phals) and less water than a Phal.  He was too busy to tell me more.  Does this mean that I can douse it, but less often than my Phals, or should I give it a little water more often?  Any other tips or info would be appreciated. I also got an Onc. "Aloha".  What do I need to watch out for here as far as culture? Thanks for all your help! Reka A Scandinavian-American living in the German-speaking part of northern Italy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I bought a Brassavola nodosa x Laelia angereri with delicate orange flowers here at an orchid show put on by Orchideria di Morosolo (http://www.orchideemadeinitaly.com/it/pozzi.htm – unfortunately the English pages are not up yet) and am wondering how to take care of it.  The owner told me it needs lots of light (now next to my Phals in a south window, but without the gauzy curtains that are protecting the Phals) and less water than a Phal.  He was too busy to tell me more.  Does this mean that I can douse it, but less often than my Phals, or should I give it a little water more often?  Any other tips or info would be appreciated. I also got an Onc. "Aloha".  What do I need to watch out for here as far as culture? Thanks for all your help! Reka

Reka, Anytime you water any orchid you always want to "douse"  or drench it and then allow it to drip dry.  Phalaenopsis do prefer to be kept slightly moist (not wet) all the time.  Cattleyas (and this goes for your oncidium as well) prefer to completely or almost completely dry out between waterings.  Your comments on your light conditions sound OK, but do not give them any direct south light in the middle of the day.  Never give your orchids a little water at increased intervals. Matt Swift – residence – Ventura, CA http://members.aol.com/swiftson/home.html I work at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate http://www.sborchid.com (under construction)

Response:

Filed under: Phalaenopsis Orchid

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