Dracula Orchids - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #1 08-20-2013, 09:23 PM

I found an Orchid that I would like to try and grow. Its called a Dracula/Astuta orchid can anybody tell me anything about them. The website states they like little light and temps ranging between 55-85 perfect for when it gets cold around here.

Any help would be great I don't want to order a finicky or hard to grow orchid especially after I spend 15 bucks in shipping.

RosieC · #2 08-21-2013, 08:46 AM

I don't know much about these so just giving your post a bump

The little I've heard made me think that they can be difficult, but I think that was mostly to do with temps, they don't like it too warn from what I've gathered. Hopefully someone else will be able to chime in.

bellini girl · #3 08-21-2013, 03:58 PM

Don't grow them, but heard that they need high humidity, don't like too much fertilizer, require good air flow. Member Cayan from this board grows them and he has awesome plants. Check out his posts

kindrag23 · #4 08-21-2013, 04:06 PM

Well that counts me out. The high humidity is not something I am sure I can pull off

---------- Post added at 02:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------

Cayan? I just looked and I did not see anyone on the members list.

professor plant · #5 08-21-2013, 06:00 PM

If you are ok spending the $15 and potentially not having the plant survive, then go for it. (no sarcasm implied)

Just so you know. High humidity is a must for all Drac's. I would recommend about 85% with some variance throughout the day. 85F sounds high for Drac's. Some species will mot tolerate temps that high, period. Dracula lotax may be the most warm tolerant and I find that if you grow it with 85F Summer temps, you will need a high diurnal range (difference between day and night). If not the spikes fail or buds abort. Many people combat high temp requirements by potting in terra cotta pots, but this is a problem for this one because it blooms from the plant base, dropping the spike through the medium. Water quality is very important also. I would suggest distilled water.

Good luck if you go with it. I think you should give it a try. It is certainly a learning experience.

kindrag23 · #6 08-21-2013, 06:13 PM

I think I will wait on them a little bit longer until I get a much better handle on the three that I currently have coming in. Lol. Thank you for the replies they were a great help.