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Intergeneric Onc Hybrid: to buy or not to buy?
My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for
sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
"J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I live in New York City, and consider myself a window sill grower though I take many of the orchids into the outdoors to spend the summer. In the winter, obviously they are all indoors and majority get a western exposure, and some direct southern exposure (the Catts, some Dendrobiums, intergeneric hybrids [ which btw I can't stand lately ]). The Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat as well as Bllra Peggy Ruth Carpenter get to spend the summer in the outdoors as well but in the winter, they sit on the Southern exposure side, about 4 feet away from the window sill. It's fairly dry in my home during the winter, and they're not very active during that time. In the summer they spend in the outdoors, in direct sunlight from around 10am until noon, and then I move them to a bright spot with no direct sun (They are in the back yard of my business so I can shuffle and move the outdoor plants as needed) The Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' & the Bllra 'Peggy Ruth Carpenter' are blooming for the second time in less than 5 months. The Wildcat bloomed twice too in one year, but took a very long time to rebloom the second spike! I really am not certain if temperature flactuations are as important for the intergeneric hybs as they are for some Dendrobs and Phals. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I think that they're pretty, some can be drop dead gorgeous, but for me personally, they no longer hold the appeal as they did before. Focusing on species is so much more fun and challenging! I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? I don't know, Catts just don't want to do well for me. I just can't get them to bloom despite the great green growth, and healthy root systems. I subject them to direct light, to bright light, moved them from one area to another, chilled them, warmed them, NADA, I get absolutely nothing! I don't know, maybe they just don't like me ;). Mariana |
J Fortuna ) wrote:
: My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to : medium, but mostly low. : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : summer, harder but doable in the winter. My growing conditions sound *very* similar to yours except I don't supplement with additional lighting. Most of my plants are in an east facing window which gets plenty of light but I also have a north facing window that gets enough natural light to grow phals in. Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids I might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a Burr(? I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window with the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing well. The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely so I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next spring/summer. Up until recently I have killed every single Onc species or intergeneric hybrid I ever tried. You see, I'm a classic under-waterer and every plant of this type that I had tried up till now was potted in lava rock. Combine those 2 things and you have a pretty good recipe for killing this type of plant. Nowadays, I make sure these guys are potted in media with better water retention (e.g. bark if potted and a *big* wad of spagnum if mounted) and I try to be more generous in my watering technique. That seems to have done the trick for me. Hope that helps some. I'm not far enough along to help much more. : Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric : Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a : miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything : else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I : don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, : but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. I guess it depends on how much you value your record for not having killed any orchids yet. ;-) Seriously though, my experience so far suggests that you stand a pretty good chance of success as long as you pick something that fits your lighting regime. Dave |
On Fri, 01 Oct 2004 22:32:17 GMT, "J Fortuna"
wrote: I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna Joanna - Some of the little catts are hybridized for windowsills. Send an email to or look for Alan from Gold Country. He plans on his plants blooming next to phals and with that type of light. As to the large Onc. hybrids - I would skip them. They are or at least can be HUGE. They like lots of light. I grow mine with the Ascda. and full sized catts. I think some of the Encyclia are less demanding of strong light, but I may get contradicted. I have not had a lost recently. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
Joanna,
What are you thinking? The NCOS show is next weekend. I would be saving my pennies for that. Pat "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
Indeed. You are so close. If you miss it you will be sorry. Plan to go.
I don't know why I can't find a link to the show information... But I know it should be someplace "Pat Brennan" wrote in message ... Joanna, What are you thinking? The NCOS show is next weekend. I would be saving my pennies for that. Pat "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
Pat,
I have been saving for the NCOS show for a while now, but being an orchid addict, I fear I may not be able to keep the craving in check for another long 7 days. I'm ready to buy another orchid now. But never fear I plan to go to the show, and plan to buy orchids there then, but if I buy one, just one, before then, is that so wrong? Joanna "Pat Brennan" wrote in message ... Joanna, What are you thinking? The NCOS show is next weekend. I would be saving my pennies for that. Pat "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
Pat,
I have been saving for the NCOS show for a while now, but being an orchid addict, I fear I may not be able to keep the craving in check for another long 7 days. I'm ready to buy another orchid now. But never fear I plan to go to the show, and plan to buy orchids there then, but if I buy one, just one, before then, is that so wrong? Joanna "Pat Brennan" wrote in message ... Joanna, What are you thinking? The NCOS show is next weekend. I would be saving my pennies for that. Pat "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
It's at the National Arboretum, I believe, and I think it starts on Saturday
at 10am and goes on for three days. See, I know about it. It's just so hard to keep that craving in check for another week, and that plant nursery is conveniently located on my way from work to home, so it only makes sense to stop by, right? Joanna "Al" wrote in message ... Indeed. You are so close. If you miss it you will be sorry. Plan to go. I don't know why I can't find a link to the show information... But I know it should be someplace "Pat Brennan" wrote in message ... Joanna, What are you thinking? The NCOS show is next weekend. I would be saving my pennies for that. Pat "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
Actually sales will start this year Friday evening for NCOS members at the
preview party. The sales tent now has lights and bar code pricing. The preview party and the annual bus trip to the New York show is worth the NCOS membership fee alone. As for buying a plant now. Buy now, buy later, buy often. North facing windows are hard to work with. It might be time to start thinking about finding an east window or upgrading the lights. If they still make them, the Wonderbulb is a cheap and easy next step in lighting. Pat |
Pat, please tell us more about this Wonderbulb?
-- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Pat Brennan wrote: Actually sales will start this year Friday evening for NCOS members at the preview party. The sales tent now has lights and bar code pricing. The preview party and the annual bus trip to the New York show is worth the NCOS membership fee alone. As for buying a plant now. Buy now, buy later, buy often. North facing windows are hard to work with. It might be time to start thinking about finding an east window or upgrading the lights. If they still make them, the Wonderbulb is a cheap and easy next step in lighting. Pat |
Pat, please tell us more about this Wonderbulb?
-- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Pat Brennan wrote: Actually sales will start this year Friday evening for NCOS members at the preview party. The sales tent now has lights and bar code pricing. The preview party and the annual bus trip to the New York show is worth the NCOS membership fee alone. As for buying a plant now. Buy now, buy later, buy often. North facing windows are hard to work with. It might be time to start thinking about finding an east window or upgrading the lights. If they still make them, the Wonderbulb is a cheap and easy next step in lighting. Pat |
Google did not turn up any hits on wonderbulb or wunderbulb, maybe someone
else knows if they still exist. But it looks like the same or similar product is being marketed as the Agrosun Power-Gro. The Wonderbulb was a dual type bulb that screwed into a normal incandescent socket rated for a 150 watt light bulb. The bulb was dual in that it used an incandescent light to 'activate' another type of light source. I just do not remember the details. What the bulb was was a self ballasted high output grow light that costs about $60. It did cost a little more to run that the ballasted high output lights, but not that much more. I grew under one for a few years and found I could grow things I could not with fluorescents. It lit maybe a four foot by four foot area. Pat "wendy7" wrote in message news:RmA7d.109358$9Y5.93045@fed1read02... Pat, please tell us more about this Wonderbulb? -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Pat Brennan wrote: Actually sales will start this year Friday evening for NCOS members at the preview party. The sales tent now has lights and bar code pricing. The preview party and the annual bus trip to the New York show is worth the NCOS membership fee alone. As for buying a plant now. Buy now, buy later, buy often. North facing windows are hard to work with. It might be time to start thinking about finding an east window or upgrading the lights. If they still make them, the Wonderbulb is a cheap and easy next step in lighting. Pat |
"J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07...
My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna Hi Joanna, I would say--go for the intergenerics!!! That's all we really grow (some others) but I have found the Oncidium family to be easiest & most prolific bloomers. Never have tried growing indoors but after Francis & Jeanne (hurricanes) I have several thousand plants that wish I had. But they are survivors. You can find a care sheet on my website: http://www.orchidislandorchids.com It will tell you how we grow them--then you just adapt !! Marfitch is one of the best purples in the family--some wildcats are good too & there are a few that are tougher. If I can ever help with culture- just email me at: william-30529@ msn.com Bill |
My Colmanara Wildcat is in spike right now and I can't wait. I love it!
Sam "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
My Colmanara Wildcat is in spike right now and I can't wait. I love it!
Sam "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
I personally don't think you can just lump all of these together -- it's a
very diverse group. Many do well for me, others don't. Some of the ones that don't do well for me do fine for Bill, just 60 or so miles north. You need to talk to your vendor and get specific care instructions -- and if your vendor can't give them, then you need a different vendor. -- Kenni Judd Juno Beach Orchids http://www.jborchids.com "J Fortuna" wrote in message news:RVk7d.573$1g5.286@trnddc07... My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to medium, but mostly low. The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the summer, harder but doable in the winter. I successfully grow Phals, Dtps, Paphs, and a cochleanthes (though the last has a bud-blasting habit, it's currently blooming and has a chance at a second successful bud at this point, so I guess it counts as a success though the conditions are definitely not ideal for it). I have never tried anything else yet. Based on all this would you advise me to go ahead and try an intergeneric Onc hybrid, or should I leave it alone? I am also considering getting a miniature cattleya at some point and putting it right under a lamp. Anything else I could try in these conditions? It's really important to me that I don't get something that does not really have a chance at flourishing here, but I am feeling like experimenting a bit with non-Phals. Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Joanna |
Dave Sheehy ) wrote:
: J Fortuna ) wrote: : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to : : medium, but mostly low. : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids I : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a Burr(? : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window with : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing well. : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely so : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next spring/summer. I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window along with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully kept along with Phals. For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter and if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I believe the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according some sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high end of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some degree. So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately selected intergenerics in your conditions. Dave |
Dave,
Thanks for the update! I too get around 1000 foot candle readings on my light meter under my lights in the best lit place, and my humidity is generally above 50%. So it does indeed sound like we have very similar conditions. I will consider getting a Burr. Stefan Isler sometime then as well. Thanks! Though at this point I might need to wait a bit, since I splurged and bought 4 orchids this weekend for a total of 28 orchids in my apartment, so I think I may need to wait a bit before buying more ... at least a few weeks or a few days, right? :-) Joanna "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message ... Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to : : medium, but mostly low. : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids I : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a Burr(? : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window with : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing well. : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely so : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next spring/summer. I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window along with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully kept along with Phals. For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter and if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I believe the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according some sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high end of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some degree. So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately selected intergenerics in your conditions. Dave |
J Fortuna ) wrote:
: Dave, : Thanks for the update! I too get around 1000 foot candle readings on my : light meter under my lights in the best lit place, and my humidity is : generally above 50%. So it does indeed sound like we have very similar : conditions. I will consider getting a Burr. Stefan Isler sometime then as : well. Thanks! Though at this point I might need to wait a bit, since I : splurged and bought 4 orchids this weekend for a total of 28 orchids in my : apartment, so I think I may need to wait a bit before buying more ... at : least a few weeks or a few days, right? :-) Yeah, I saw your post and I wondered if you had any space left for more. I thought I'd pass the information along anyway. I ran out of window sill space long ago and since have taken to hanging plants in the window in order to be able to keep more orchids. I got a new Bulbo recently and resorted to co-mounting it with another Bulbo. Dave : Joanna : "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message : ... : Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids : for : : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and : I am : : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them : if my : : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing : windows. : : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light : right : : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at : leaf : : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is : low to : : : medium, but mostly low. : : : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees : Fahrenheit. : : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and : then it : : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. : In the : : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : : : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids : I : : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a : Burr(? : : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window : with : : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing : well. : : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely : so : : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next : spring/summer. : : I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window : along : with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike : growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully : kept : along with Phals. : : For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter : and : if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I : believe : the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my : head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according : some : sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it : requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high : end : of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% : year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special : efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which : contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the : surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some : degree. : : So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately : selected intergenerics in your conditions. : : Dave : |
J Fortuna ) wrote:
: Dave, : Thanks for the update! I too get around 1000 foot candle readings on my : light meter under my lights in the best lit place, and my humidity is : generally above 50%. So it does indeed sound like we have very similar : conditions. I will consider getting a Burr. Stefan Isler sometime then as : well. Thanks! Though at this point I might need to wait a bit, since I : splurged and bought 4 orchids this weekend for a total of 28 orchids in my : apartment, so I think I may need to wait a bit before buying more ... at : least a few weeks or a few days, right? :-) Yeah, I saw your post and I wondered if you had any space left for more. I thought I'd pass the information along anyway. I ran out of window sill space long ago and since have taken to hanging plants in the window in order to be able to keep more orchids. I got a new Bulbo recently and resorted to co-mounting it with another Bulbo. Dave : Joanna : "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message : ... : Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids : for : : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and : I am : : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them : if my : : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing : windows. : : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light : right : : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at : leaf : : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is : low to : : : medium, but mostly low. : : : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees : Fahrenheit. : : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and : then it : : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. : In the : : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : : : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids : I : : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a : Burr(? : : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window : with : : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing : well. : : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely : so : : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next : spring/summer. : : I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window : along : with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike : growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully : kept : along with Phals. : : For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter : and : if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I : believe : the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my : head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according : some : sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it : requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high : end : of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% : year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special : efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which : contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the : surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some : degree. : : So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately : selected intergenerics in your conditions. : : Dave : |
Dave,
I've still got space in my current arrangement. I have a shelving unit standing in front of one of my windows with supplemental lights attached to the top shelf. So far I am really using only one shelf of that for the orchids in that room, but I could fairly easily add more lights and use another shelf or two. So space is not an issue quite yet. But I am a bit concerned about the increasing pace of my orchid acquisitions ... if this trend continues, I will run out of space sooner than I expected not too long ago ... so I think I need to slow down a bit. Not long ago I was thinking that one orchid per month on average would be a reasonable limit, or one month buying two orchids and the following month no orchids to balance it out, but at some point I seem to have found that self-imposed limit impossible to maintain. Having bought 4 orchids this month, I will definitely not be able to abstain for the next three months! Joanna "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message ... J Fortuna ) wrote: : Dave, : Thanks for the update! I too get around 1000 foot candle readings on my : light meter under my lights in the best lit place, and my humidity is : generally above 50%. So it does indeed sound like we have very similar : conditions. I will consider getting a Burr. Stefan Isler sometime then as : well. Thanks! Though at this point I might need to wait a bit, since I : splurged and bought 4 orchids this weekend for a total of 28 orchids in my : apartment, so I think I may need to wait a bit before buying more ... at : least a few weeks or a few days, right? :-) Yeah, I saw your post and I wondered if you had any space left for more. I thought I'd pass the information along anyway. I ran out of window sill space long ago and since have taken to hanging plants in the window in order to be able to keep more orchids. I got a new Bulbo recently and resorted to co-mounting it with another Bulbo. Dave : Joanna : "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message : ... : Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids : for : : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and : I am : : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them : if my : : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing : windows. : : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light : right : : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at : leaf : : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is : low to : : : medium, but mostly low. : : : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees : Fahrenheit. : : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and : then it : : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. : In the : : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : : : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids : I : : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a : Burr(? : : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window : with : : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing : well. : : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely : so : : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next : spring/summer. : : I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window : along : with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike : growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully : kept : along with Phals. : : For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter : and : if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I : believe : the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my : head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according : some : sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it : requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high : end : of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% : year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special : efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which : contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the : surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some : degree. : : So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately : selected intergenerics in your conditions. : : Dave : |
Dave,
I've still got space in my current arrangement. I have a shelving unit standing in front of one of my windows with supplemental lights attached to the top shelf. So far I am really using only one shelf of that for the orchids in that room, but I could fairly easily add more lights and use another shelf or two. So space is not an issue quite yet. But I am a bit concerned about the increasing pace of my orchid acquisitions ... if this trend continues, I will run out of space sooner than I expected not too long ago ... so I think I need to slow down a bit. Not long ago I was thinking that one orchid per month on average would be a reasonable limit, or one month buying two orchids and the following month no orchids to balance it out, but at some point I seem to have found that self-imposed limit impossible to maintain. Having bought 4 orchids this month, I will definitely not be able to abstain for the next three months! Joanna "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message ... J Fortuna ) wrote: : Dave, : Thanks for the update! I too get around 1000 foot candle readings on my : light meter under my lights in the best lit place, and my humidity is : generally above 50%. So it does indeed sound like we have very similar : conditions. I will consider getting a Burr. Stefan Isler sometime then as : well. Thanks! Though at this point I might need to wait a bit, since I : splurged and bought 4 orchids this weekend for a total of 28 orchids in my : apartment, so I think I may need to wait a bit before buying more ... at : least a few weeks or a few days, right? :-) Yeah, I saw your post and I wondered if you had any space left for more. I thought I'd pass the information along anyway. I ran out of window sill space long ago and since have taken to hanging plants in the window in order to be able to keep more orchids. I got a new Bulbo recently and resorted to co-mounting it with another Bulbo. Dave : Joanna : "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message : ... : Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids : for : : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and : I am : : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them : if my : : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing : windows. : : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light : right : : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at : leaf : : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is : low to : : : medium, but mostly low. : : : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees : Fahrenheit. : : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and : then it : : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. : In the : : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : : : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids : I : : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a : Burr(? : : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window : with : : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing : well. : : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely : so : : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next : spring/summer. : : I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window : along : with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike : growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully : kept : along with Phals. : : For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter : and : if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I : believe : the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my : head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according : some : sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it : requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high : end : of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% : year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special : efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which : contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the : surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some : degree. : : So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately : selected intergenerics in your conditions. : : Dave : |
I'll add that Semi-Hydroponic culture also helps.
Most of my collection of plants is on the intermediate to warm side, but the oncidium intergenerics do great in S/H - probably because of the small amount of evaporative cooling in the pot. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message ... Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to : : medium, but mostly low. : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids I : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a Burr(? : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window with : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing well. : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely so : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next spring/summer. I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window along with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully kept along with Phals. For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter and if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I believe the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according some sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high end of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some degree. So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately selected intergenerics in your conditions. Dave |
I'll add that Semi-Hydroponic culture also helps.
Most of my collection of plants is on the intermediate to warm side, but the oncidium intergenerics do great in S/H - probably because of the small amount of evaporative cooling in the pot. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message ... Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids for : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and I am : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them if my : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing windows. : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light right : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at leaf : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is low to : : medium, but mostly low. : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and then it : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. In the : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids I : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a Burr(? : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window with : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing well. : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely so : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next spring/summer. I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window along with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully kept along with Phals. For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter and if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I believe the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according some sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high end of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some degree. So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately selected intergenerics in your conditions. Dave |
Ray ) wrote:
: I'll add that Semi-Hydroponic culture also helps. : Most of my collection of plants is on the intermediate to warm side, but the : oncidium intergenerics do great in S/H - probably because of the small : amount of evaporative cooling in the pot. Much of the culture information on this group emphasize maintaining evenly moist conditions. I should think that they do well in S/H because that method excels at providing exactly that kind of condition. Dave : -- : Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com : Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! : . : "Dave Sheehy" wrote in message : ... : Dave Sheehy ) wrote: : : J Fortuna ) wrote: : : : My local plant nursery has some really attractive intergeneric hybrids : for : : : sale, including Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and Colm Wildcat, and : I am : : : quite tempted to buy one of them, however I would not want to buy them : if my : : : conditions are such that they couldn't possibly do well. : : : : I grow on the windowsills or rather on shelves next to north-facing : windows. : : : I supplement this with growlamps so that I can achieve medium light : right : : : under a lamp, but I am not sure whether I could have medium light at : leaf : : : level for a Bllra since they are rather tall plants. So the light is : low to : : : medium, but mostly low. : : : : The temps in our apartment are usually around 70-80 degrees : Fahrenheit. : : : Sometimes in the summer the air-conditioning doesn't work though and : then it : : : can be in the upper 80s or in the low 90s for a short period of time. : In the : : : winters, especially at night the temp might be in the 60s. : : : : Humidity-wise we try to keep it above 50% at all times -- easy in the : : : summer, harder but doable in the winter. : : : Like you I have been branching out and experimenting with other orchids : I : : might possibly be able to grow there as well. Last spring I bought a : Burr(? : : I think that's right) 'Stephan Isler' and put it in that north window : with : : the phals. It's too soon to report any success other than it is growing : well. : : The new growth has done well and the pb is starting to flesh out nicely : so : : I'm pretty encouraged. I won't know if it'll bloom until next : spring/summer. : : I have an update on my Burr. Stefan Isler that I keep in my north window : along : with the Phals. I examined it the other day and found a new flower spike : growing. So, there's at least one intergeneric that can be successfully : kept : along with Phals. : : For those that are interested here are some details. I have a light meter : and : if I hold it so as to maximize the reading I get a value of 1000 (I : believe : the units are foot candles but I don't remember for sure off the top of my : head). Phals require a light intensity range between 500-1000 according : some : sources and the grower that I bought the Burr Stefan Isler from told me it : requires a light intensity between 1000-1200 (so it comes in at the high : end : of the phal light requirement). Humidity in my house ranges from 40-60% : year round as far as I've been able to measure. I don't go to any special : efforts to control humidity. There are 4 aquariums in the house which : contribute between 1.5-2 gallons of evaporated water per day to the : surrounding air so they are probably helping to raise humidity to some : degree. : : So the upshot is I think it is very possible for you to keep appropriately : selected intergenerics in your conditions. : : Dave : |
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