Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' Care??

[Manu]

Hello Everyone!

Just came back from the Montreal orchid expo and have a question about one of my new babies....

Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl'


This one is actually really small and a real baby hehe view attached picture... don't know much about this plant and have never had a plant that was so young... any help is appreciated

As far as potting, water, fertilizing, etc what should I be doing???


Thanks in advance!
Manu

[Roberta]

This time of year, you can water it a lot. It will be growing fast, so also regular feeding - 1/4 strength at each watering is fine. I'd leave it in the pot that it is in now - sphagnum looks nice and fresh, so it will drain well. In the fall (by which time it should be well established) it will start to go dormant. Let the plant tell you when to start cutting back the water, as the leaves start to lose their color. If it hasn't started to show signs of dormancy by December, you may have to push it it. As small as it is, you may want to not have it go completely dry in winter (sort of a "soft dormancy" with reduced water and no fertilizer) unless the pseudobulb is pretty big. Next year, time for repotting would be just as new growth is starting, but still reduced water (or none if it is big enough) - wait for roots to get 3-4" (7-10 cm) before increasing water. Once past the "baby" stage, check out the culture notes from Sunset Valley Orchids - Fred Clarke, the owner (for whom the genus was named) probably knows the most about this group of anybody on the planet. Sunset Valley Orchids Culture Notes - Catasetinae

[Subrosa]

I live a good bit south of you, and once night temps will be reliably over 60°F mine will go outside. After a period of adjustment it will be in full sun from sunrise until mid afternoon. At higher latitudes at least I don't think you can give these too much light, except perhaps at high altitude.

[Manu]

Thank you both this is great information!!

[estación seca]

The hybridizer, Fred Clarke, has detailed growing instructions on his Sunset Valley Orchids Web site.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The hybridizer, Fred Clarke, has detailed growing instructions on his Sunset Valley Orchids Web site.

Actually I haven't found anything on their website regarding the care of a baby plant like that...

Anyhow, I have 3 of them and they all seem to be growing. Full light, lots of water and fert...so far so good.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Manu

Anyhow, I have 3 of them and they all seem to be growing. Full light, lots of water and fert...so far so good.

Sounds like it is happy. Fred Clarke is very willing to share his knowledge. For specifics on seedlings and how they might differ from more established plants, if you send him an email (address is on the Sunset Valley Orchids website) I am sure that you'll get the information that you seek.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Sounds like it is happy. Fred Clarke is very willing to share his knowledge. For specifics on seedlings and how they might differ from more established plants, if you send him an email (address is on the Sunset Valley Orchids website) I am sure that you'll get the information that you seek.

Thanks!

[estación seca]

Your plant is big enough to be treated as an adult plant, so you can use the information on the site. But I agree Fred is always happy to help people with information.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Your plant is big enough to be treated as an adult plant, so you can use the information on the site. But I agree Fred is always happy to help people with information.

When you say big enough to be treated as an adult plant, that doesn't mean it will be ready to bloom next autumn like my other ctsm does it?

The lady said 2-3 years before it blooms? Does that sound right?