New Orchid Haul from SBIOS

[Kevinator]

Hi guys, I just recently went to the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show and bought quite a few new additions, mostly for my terrarium. So here's the list:

-Huntleya wallisii (really excited for this one as i just discovered a bud)
-Aerangis fastuosa (should i repot this one after blooming?)
-Pleurothallis allenii
-Haraella odorata
-Masdevallia mendozae (I couldn't find a smaller pot so I had to make-do with this clay one)
-Dracula vespertillio (found a growing spike after repotting)
-Dracula lotax
-Maxillaria schunkeana

Although I know the general care info for these orchids, any cultural tips for these guys will be highly appreciated.

[WhiteRabbit]

Sweet!

[Leafmite]

Looks as though you had fun!
The new orchids all look great!

[Raqsharqi]

I'm so jealous! Someday I'll make it to that show!

[Kevinator]

Well, unfortunate news guys. The bud that was on the huntleya withered but i really didn't care since I didn't see it at first anyways. The real bad news is what I found online about this one. It seems that not many people can grow it without it dying and those that are successful still claim it to be difficult to grow. I've emailed Andy about this one since he grew it and I'll cross my fingers and hope it can take my conditions.

[Leafmite]

Many people say that Theobroma cacao (chocolate) and cinnamon trees don't fare very well as house plants, either. If you get the culture right for any plant, it will do very well. At Andy's, you will be able to get the advice you need. You may have to tinker a bit but I believe you will be able to grow it.

[lotis146]

Kevinator I ordered Huntleya wallisii from Andy's a couple of weeks ago. Given the cold temps then they decided to wait to ship until after they got back from the show. So it was supposed to ship today along with a couple other plants. That was the first picture right?

I also read they're difficult but I'm into Zygos right now and couldn't help myself but get Huntleya. That said I've also read Aganisia is difficult and as soon as I moved mine into a significantly warmer room it started growing 'something' (undetermined yet). Now I'm watching carefully cuz room got colder for a few days and I may have watered too soon after last time (over-watered, typically I under).

With all that said I'm anxious and excited to give this Huntleya a shot. Good luck with yours, sorry about the bud though I know how you feel cuz my new Vanda just did the same. I look forward to hearing from you how it's going; I will check in when I get mine and in the future how it's going. Perhaps we can trade advice, then again we live in very different climates. I will put mine outside for the summer.

Congrats on your new haul overall!

[tropterrarium]

If I remember OK, Huntleya likes it soggy wet, i.e., you cannot overwater it.
As far as I can tell, most of those plants are cool low light plants. Either you live in a cool place, or you must have active cooling on your terrarium. The T5s certainly heat up the joint.
I tried Dracula lotax in an intermediate GH, and it slowly withered away. So I don't think it can really handle intermediate.
Masd. mendozae grows intermediate, mounted, pretty low light.
Haerella odorata is intermediate growing. Was very good for a few years, than decided to die. One down.

While I really like Andy (and Harry and Bill and Katrin, of course), Andy is a good sales person for whom everything is easy; take it with a grain of salt. Also remember, you see your plants in your environment, Andy doesn't. So if a plant looks unhappy, do something about it. I tried Oberonia "oligotricha" in moss hanging basket, intermediate, warm, low-high light, and it all just slowly died. Eventually, someone suggested that moss is no good. Trying it right now again mounted on shingle.

SBIOS was fun. Got a Malaxis and an Oberonia aff. myosurus from Andy, a Notylia microchila, a Ornithocephalus and Macroclinum from Ecuagenera, and three large Oberonia maxima from Katai/Pharo.
Will be interesting to see whether I can keep the Malaxis alive. Got some in the intermediate GH and some in the warm terrarium, all of course in the shadiest part and very wet.
One pre-order Malaxis from POE turned out to be a leaf-less version. Not sure whether that means DOA, or whether there is some hope. Haven't thrown it yet, but not too optimistic.

[Kevinator]

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

As far as I can tell, most of those plants are cool low light plants. Either you live in a cool place, or you must have active cooling on your terrarium.

SBIOS was fun.

Actually, this terrarium is next to a window. Currently, I've been dropping the temperature of the cooler end to 68 degrees F at night by utilizing a frozen water bottle. So far, the restrepias are responding well to it. And yes, SBIOS was really fun although I didn't really meet many new people.

[lotis146]

Got my Huntleyas & Colax (Pabstia) today. To my surprise the Huntleya wallisii is in bloom! Will share pic later. From what I understand, like tropterrarium said, they like to stay wet and warm. I forgot to inquire about lighting but I do believe bright/bright shade is the way to go. I'm going to put mine in my north-facing slider alongside my Aganisia b/c I keep a space heater in that room so it stays pretty warm.