Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter -- help!

[staloff]

I bought a gorgeous Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter a year ago -- it had 3 spikes (on 3 pods) and bloomed for a long time. When the spikes died back one of the pods shed its leaves; I repotted because it was in a very small pot, then left it on its own w/occasional fertilization like my many happy phals. It made 3 new pods, but it is not making hew spikes; the new pods are remaining small and the leaves look sad. old pods are shriveling; I cut back leaves on the other 2 recently figuring it would help w/ growing the new guys. I see some people get multiple blooms per year from these; what did I do wrong? Does it just need more fertilization? Although I just moved, it had been in a window with part sun; I water every 3-4 days letting water run through pot completely.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by staloff

I bought a gorgeous Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter a year ago -- it had 3 spikes (on 3 pods) and bloomed for a long time. When the spikes died back one of the pods shed its leaves; I repotted because it was in a very small pot, then left it on its own w/occasional fertilization like my many happy phals. It made 3 new pods, but it is not making hew spikes; the new pods are remaining small and the leaves look sad. old pods are shriveling; I cut back leaves on the other 2 recently figuring it would help w/ growing the new guys. I see some people get multiple blooms per year from these; what did I do wrong? Does it just need more fertilization? Although I just moved, it had been in a window with part sun; I water every 3-4 days letting water run through pot completely.

Sounds like you did most everything right. I would recommend more nitrogen when it is growing new growths, along with lots of water. Mine is in a waterlily basket so that I can swamp it with water and still allow the roots to dry off between waterings. Mine is also in a south-facing window. Mine typically stay in flower most of the spring through fall seasons - with a new spike on each pseudobulb when it gets mature enough. Mine started with 2 pseudobulbs several years ago and now has over 20 growths and fills a 12" basket. Thus I typically get 1-2 new growths per pseudobulb each spring.

By more nitrogen, I recommend a dilute fertilizer mix with every watering until the new growths mature. They will then be much larger. See this site for help on the percent mix Fertilizer PPM Calculator

[staloff]

Thanks so much for the tips! Is it usual for the leaves on the pseudobulbs to die back after blooming? yours looks like it just continues to grow and get bigger and bigger. I may try transplanting into a basket (now in a clay pot) once I move again; I'll have a nice south-facing window where it can hang.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by staloff

Thanks so much for the tips! Is it usual for the leaves on the pseudobulbs to die back after blooming? yours looks like it just continues to grow and get bigger and bigger. I may try transplanting into a basket (now in a clay pot) once I move again; I'll have a nice south-facing window where it can hang.

Not necessarily usual, but quite common. If there is plenty of water during growth cycle, it will keep current year's leaves. Typically, any yellowing and dropping leaves are from older back-bulbs. Be careful with the light and try adjusting the plant gradually to higher light. Don't keep it wet when it is not actively growing. A basket helps when pushing fertilizer and water as it allows the roots to dry completely between waterings. I soak mine in a large bucket (5-gallon pail) of solution every 4-5 days or so.