New grammatophyllum! I would love some advice.

[C.cyber24]

Good day everyone!

I recently purchased a new orchid last week. Unknown variety and thanks to the help of this forum I was able to identify my orchid. Turns out to be a grammatophyllum. The exact variety is still unknow. By my research I've noted that they do well In bright to full sun (many have concluded that a east facing window is good for foliage growth, then outside full sun when you want it to bloom), heavy waterings and heavy fertalizing. Also, they get huge (which I'm stoked for).

My question now - I live in bozeman Montana. A super dry place. (About 30% humidity all the time) I have my gram sitting on a table in front of a east facing window that also kinda gets medium indirect light from a south facing window. (My other orchids love it) how often do I water It? I've read a few things that say to give it heavy waterings frequently. Okay, cool. Likes water but do I let it dry out? Some say yes. Others say no. Also, I've never ever fertilized my orchid. They seem to do great w/o out it...Maybe because I use rain water only? Also, any tips would be great!

-thanks

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know what its like when you water your orchids where you live, but it seems like you would have to water quite a bit because of how dry you guys are there. Grammatophyllum do like a good amount of water, but I would not be drowning this orchid in it. The roots still need to breathe because it is an epiphyte, (a very large one). So, yes, do allow it to dry out between waterings.

Because you are further away from the equator, you might get away with full sun where you are. If you were here in Los Angeles, full sun would absolutely fry this orchid.

This is orchid cannot take it too cool. I would say 55 F is the safest min. It definitely favors warmth.

They multiply fairly quickly. These do not grow ridiculously slow.

[JDT]

I live in South Florida and all of my plants are outside. So far this year, except for a couple of weeks, our spring and summer has been in the high 80's to the high 90's, most days with feel like temperatures of around 100 and up. My Grammatophyllum scriptum is in direct sunshine from about 11AM till 5PM and it loves it, being outside it gets water every 2 days this time of the year.

I have often used a technique for watering any new orchid as they are all different, water your orchid and I mean soak the pot for about 2-3 minutes, let it drain until no more water drops, do the same thing 3 more times. After the last water drops, lift the pot and feel the weight, test the weight each day, when you notice a big difference in weight it's time to water again, a lot will depend on the media in the pot. After awhile you will learn how long to go for each new orchid before needing to water, check again after the start of each new season it will be different for each season.

You are a youngster compared to some of us old guys so your memory is very good, but I have a log of each of the 193 orchids I have. I would be lost without that log as it list each thing I need to know about them, my memory is not what it use to be.....Good Luck!