'orange bird'

[absinthekitchen]

I have just received a Pot. Love Passion 'orange bird' orchid as a gift and am not exactly sure of how to care for it. It had flowers on it when it came to me and now does not, so hoping they will come back. I have it in a terra cotta pot with sphagnum moss and pine chips mixed and have kept it watered once or twice a week. How much sun does it need? Should it be somewhere that there is more air cirulation and less heat from my heater? If anyone can provide some advice I would much appreciate it!
Thank you!

[kiki-do]

I don't have a Potinara so I can't give you anything exact. Potinaras are a cross of Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis. That would suggest very high light, good air circulation, and water it good, but then let it dry out before watering again. I would check way down in the pot for signs of moisture before watering again.
It should come back. It might be a little while.
If you post a picture, perhaps we could give more precise opinions. I have questions of whether it's rootbound...has enough holes for air, size of it, overal look of it, etc.
Anyway, high light for that one would be my thoughts.

[Ray]

Potinaras are typically grown under ordinary cattleya conditions: http://www.firstrays.com/PDF/cattleya.pdf

[quiltergal]

I have Pot. Hawaiian Prominence 'Carmela' that is in bud for the first time in 4 years!! I have it in a south facing bay window with blinds and also under a T5 fl light. It gets watered and fertilized weekly at 125ppm N. Temps are intermediat to warm. It's getting happy! It's latest new growth has 2 buds on it. Crossing my fingers they don't blast.

[Shirley]

I believe that one of our OB members recently stated that one should not use pine chips!

[absinthekitchen]

Thanks for all the information, it's definitely helpful as I'm a first time orchid owner. Can you tell me why one shouldn't use pine chips? That's what it came in from the greenhouse.
What kind of fertilizer should I use in it and how do I use it? when do I know that my orchid is beyond saving, and if it will come back, when will the flowers appear again?
Thank you!