Fertilizing/ care questions for a chocolate drop volcano queen

[lady_bug22]

I bought my first orchid today and it is a chocolate drop volcano queen- obviously not in bloom (she will in the fall tho) but she is very small and I'm thinking of repotting her soon because the roots look like they coming through the medium (is that the correct name for it?). Is this right or should the roots totally be through the medium before I repot?

While I was pondering that, I realized I had no idea what fertilizing routine or times I should fertilize her. I have bought phosphorous rich but also containing Nitrogen and it's specificaly for orchids. The brand name is Better Gro: Orchid Bloom Blooster... so it has no urea and I water her with distilled water I get with a rain catcher or spring water since it has no trace amounts of minerals in it. The sites I've seen said to water her when the medium is completly dry, and it's vrey important not to over water because blooms may appear yellow and weak.

I live in the south so temp, light and humidity aren't a concern here and i'm a semi- experienced gardener of other things, but I always dreamed of growing orchids since I was a child. I want do this right, and thanks to all who respond.

[quiltergal]

Welcome to OB! I have wiener dogs too!

I bought a tiny C. Chocolate Drop 'Volcano Queen' last summer when I was in Hawaii. Brought it home in my carry on! Anyway, it was in a 2" pot when I bought it. By March it's roots were rambling up and over the sides of the pot. Some 8" or longer! I repotted into a 5" pot in early April. The new growth has matured and low and behold there is a sheath inside! I really think the secret to my success with this one was lots of light and regular feeding. I'm using Greencare MSU formula that you can buy online. I water every week with 125ppm Nitrogen. Bloom booster has actually been proven to do nothing to promote blooming. Too much Nitrogen can prevent plants from blooming so you have to find the right balance. My plant sits right in front of a southwest facing bay window with blinds and I also have T5 grow lights to supplement.

If the sheath continues to develop then this will be this little baby's first bloom. It only has about 3 good sized growths on it, so they will apparently bloom pretty young. I'll be sure to post when it does bloom.

[SP2340]

I just bought one of these today while I was at Home Depot! I read that it's crossed with C. Guttata and C. Aurantiaca. It came in a 2" pot and I transferred it into a 4" clay pot. Does any one know if this one is fragrant?

[cb977]

My favorite Cattleya!

I don't think fertilizing with a steady diet of Bloom Booster is the way to go. A simple orchid fertilizer would be a better choice. I fertilize once every 7-10 days depending on whether I feel like doing it on the 7th day or not

It's good to let the medium get almost dry, not totally.

You're going to have such a lovely chid when she blooms again...and yes, she is fragrant...smells like a rose