Advice on looking after a Bifrenaria harrisoniae

[KiwiCoo]

I have had my orchid for about 10 months and during this time, I haven't even thought about gaining information about looking after it (besides not drowning it ).
So I have a few questions on looking after my Bifrenaria harrisoniae (try saying that really fast 10 times over);
-Does this particular orchid require a resting period over winter?
-When do the flower spikes start to appear?
-What, if any, fertilizer should I give it, and how often?

I think that's it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll ask.

Thanks in advance for your advice and wisdom

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Q: Does this particular orchid require a resting period over winter?

A: Yes. Especially if you want it to bloom.

Q: When do the flower spikes start to appear?

A: Around mid spring.

Q: What, if any, fertilizer should I give it, and how often?

A: A non-urea based nitrogen fertilizer that has a N-P-K of roughly around 20-20-20.

Here're other bits of information:

1. Intermediate to warm grower that can take cooler weather during the winter. No lower than 45 please.

2. Bright indirect light. Think Cattleya light.

3. Moderate to high humidity. Roughly 60% and up.

4. Can be grown as an epiphyte or a lithophyte.

Here's a link:

IOSPE PHOTOS

[KiwiCoo]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Q: Does this particular orchid require a resting period over winter?

A: Yes. Especially if you want it to bloom.

Q: When do the flower spikes start to appear?

A: Around mid spring.

Q: What, if any, fertilizer should I give it, and how often?

A: A non-urea based nitrogen fertilizer that has a N-P-K of roughly around 20-20-20.

Here're other bits of information:

1. Intermediate to warm grower that can take cooler weather during the winter. No lower than 45 please.

2. Bright indirect light. Think Cattleya light.

3. Moderate to high humidity. Roughly 60% and up.

4. Can be grown as an epiphyte or a lithophyte.

Here's a link:

IOSPE PHOTOS

So a very bright, south facing window is ok for it, and a light sprinkling of water once a month is sort of ok, but not preferred, over winter?
Anyway, thank you very much for the info =)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by KiwiCoo

So a very bright, south facing window is ok for it, and a light sprinkling of water once a month is sort of ok, but not preferred, over winter?

Yup.

[KiwiCoo]

Coolies. Again, thank you very much

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No problem.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by KiwiCoo

I have had my orchid for about 10 months and during this time, I haven't even thought about gaining information about looking after it (besides not drowning it ).

You get out of that habit reaaalll fast when growing orchids. I know.

You and your plants will be much happier and stress-free if you do research about how your plant grows "in situ" or in the wild. (orchidspecies.com is an excellent reference for that, I would use that often.)

Going on to google and searching "____ culture" is really helpful too.

Not to mention- searching on here for your plant! There's lots of past threads on here that are helpful.

We're glad that you've come here for help!