Coryanthes Macrantha Care

[NepGuardian]

everyone! Im new to most orchids but have been Growing Nepenthes (Asian Pitcher plants) and most carnivorous plants for about a year and a half. I have read some orchids grow in similar conditions to Nepenthes and saw that Coryanthes was on the list. so after a lot looking around I found a Coryanthes Macrantha and was absolutely ecstatic!
Long story short I have been taking care of these guys for about 2 months and have been doing pretty well as far as new growth but I still don't know a few things, so let me explain my setup so someone might be able to add any suggestions.

I have them in a 10ft x 10ft room that I grow all my plants in, it gets anywhere from 65-70 degrees at night and about 80-85 degrees during the day. The humidity is at a constant 80-90% and the plant gets bright indirect light. I make sure that they are watered consistently about every day or so. I don't let them go dry but just on the verge. The soil is also 50:50 of Long Fiber sphagnum and Coco coir.

The main question I have regards to Fertilizing these guys. I have Osmocot slow release pellets that are 15-9-12 and I just want to know if this is alright to use on Coryanthes, and how to go about giving the fertilizer to the plant. Do I dilute the osmocot into water and pour the water onto the soil mix or do I foliar feed? I'm just kind of lost on how to fertilize these since i cant find any info on how to do that. I have just read they are heavy feeders so I don't want to starve them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

NepGuardian

[malteseproverb]

Hi there and welcome! I am not experienced with Osmocot slow release pellets, but ordinarily if you have slow release fert you put it on top of or mixed within the media and the plant gets a bit of the fertilizer every time you water it as the water washes over the pellets. That might be a great way to keep your coryanthes well nourished since you're watering it so often. I'm not a very experienced coryanthes grower but I have had one of these for about 3 years, it started very small and has gotten big. This summer it finally put out a spike. I ordinarily keep it pretty moist with high direct light and fertilize it more than the other orchids, which can be a pain! Fert pellets is a great idea, might have to steal that. I can understand that coming from carnivorous plants anything seems like a lot of fert so maybe the pellets are a good start. I wouldn't overthink it. The humidity and temps seem ideal for this plant.

[NepGuardian]

That is great to hear, I tend to over think stuff a bit so its really reassuring to hear that it would be that simple. I know with my Nepenthes I usually put the tiniest osmocot pellet I can find into the pitchers since a few of them are still pretty small. I do thank you for the information and replying to my post. I didn't know how active this site was and was concerned that I might not find my answer.
so thank again, Also kind of random but I saw your user name and recognized that it was referencing to Malta. Though I see you are in philly, I just wanted to say I think Malta is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. If that wasn't the intention of your username though, that would be my mistake...

[malteseproverb]

This is a surprisingly active board. I've learned a lot hanging around on here. I have never been to Malta and have always wanted to go so badly. I have an old book of Maltese proverbs, which I love, so that's where the username comes from. I am unfortunately just a Philly girl!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Some orchids are good with slow-release pellets through the year. Others do better with less fertilizing in winter. Coryanthes tend to like constant fertilizing so pellets should work well.

[NepGuardian]

Thank you, I really appreciate the helpful information. I just hope I can do well by these plants. Ever since I first saw a coryanthes I wanted one with a passion and have only been able to find two of them(both Macrantha). They are just really pretty and I love their interesting way of pollinating.

If I could ever run into more species of this plant I would be absolutely ecstatic . I see people ask a lot though for coryanthes, I know they are pretty rare but I've seen some for $150+ and that is just a little to much for my taste...

---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Malteseproverb I will have to keep up on here then. I only have 3 orchids, two being coryanthes and the other
Oncidium "Sharry Baby". Since I am still pretty new I think this site will be a great resource.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by NepGuardian

everyone! Im new to most orchids but have been Growing Nepenthes (Asian Pitcher plants) and most carnivorous plants for about a year and a half. I have read some orchids grow in similar conditions to Nepenthes and saw that Coryanthes was on the list. so after a lot looking around I found a Coryanthes Macrantha and was absolutely ecstatic!
Long story short I have been taking care of these guys for about 2 months and have been doing pretty well as far as new growth but I still don't know a few things, so let me explain my setup so someone might be able to add any suggestions.

I have them in a 10ft x 10ft room that I grow all my plants in, it gets anywhere from 65-70 degrees at night and about 80-85 degrees during the day. The humidity is at a constant 80-90% and the plant gets bright indirect light. I make sure that they are watered consistently about every day or so. I don't let them go dry but just on the verge. The soil is also 50:50 of Long Fiber sphagnum and Coco coir.

The main question I have regards to Fertilizing these guys. I have Osmocot slow release pellets that are 15-9-12 and I just want to know if this is alright to use on Coryanthes, and how to go about giving the fertilizer to the plant. Do I dilute the osmocot into water and pour the water onto the soil mix or do I foliar feed? I'm just kind of lost on how to fertilize these since i cant find any info on how to do that. I have just read they are heavy feeders so I don't want to starve them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

NepGuardian

This is from the AOS website.
Coryanthes