Cambria care

[Lilsuzi]

Hi. Today I bought a beautiful Cambria. I had one last year, but managed to kill it. The instructions said it likes to be moist, but when I did this last time, it rotted. I thought about making more ventilation in the plastic pot. And letting it totally dry out before watering, but I´m not sure. It´s winter here, and in a west-facing window behind net. Indoor temp stays around 18Celsius. (64F) Any tips anyone, please?

[rbarata]

Hi neighbour
To give you a more accurate advise, where do you live in our country?

[Lilsuzi]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Hi neighbour
To give you a more accurate advise, where do you live in our country?

Hi RBARATA. I already saw you posted a different post about your cambrias and your temperatures in portuguese, but I didn´t have time to answer, and now it´s gone. Sumiu!

I live in Faro district/Algarve. I remember you said you have yours in a north-facing window. I don´t have any north-facing windows, we live in a town house, facing east/west, but none of my east-facing windows are suitable just yet to put orchids in. So, they are all facing west behind a voile curtain.

I think the temps will be ok, but should I put some more ventilation holes in the pot? Let it dry out before watering? Should I change the medium? It´s very damp. I bought it in Continente, the orchid had just arrived. Thank you.

Indoor temperatures don´t normally drop below 16C

[rbarata]

I already saw you posted a different post about your cambrias and your temperatures in portuguese, but I didn´t have time to answer, and now it´s gone. Sumiu!

Do you mean this one?

Main issue in west windows, especially in your area, is the sun 'cause it can get very hot in the afternoon. In summer you'll need to mist it to keep humidity above 60%.
Give it the max shade you can but give it also bright light.
If your medium is damp, that's not good. I would repot and replace the medium by medium size bark and+LEKA. You want the medium to be moist, not damp because roots need water but, also, air circulation between them. If you do this there's no need to open holes in the pot.
There's an orchid seller in Algarve here.
I'm sure they sell mixes for epiphyte orchids which is great for Cambrias.
As a general rule, the care instructions for Oncidiums apply to Cambrias.

[Lilsuzi]

Thanks for info, RBARATA.

I´ve changed the medium, the old medium was very fine and very damp. The roots didn´t seem to be too bad, so I left them all intact. I imagine it was over-watered in the shop, or before delivery. And since they´d only just arrived, I´m hoping that not too much damage has been done.
In the summer I don´t leave them in that window, they stay further into the room. And I do mist them regularly too in the summer, being so dry.
My Cambria is now in new medium, being bark chips and leca, so I hope the flowers don´t suffer too much due to the change. At least I shouldn´t lose the plant this time! It has three flower spikes!
Thanks again for your advice.
Oh, and your Darth Vader pics are beautiful.

[rbarata]

Cambrias are hybrids especially adapted tortures inflicted by human beings. At least mine never had any problems after repotting and such. A device to measure temps and humidity is a useful tool. Can be found, for ex in Worten, Le RoyMerlin, AKI, etc. They cost around 20 €.
With experience, knowing the humidity levels in your growing space, you can adjust your misting and watering. HR under 40% requires more watering and occasional mistings.

I don't know if you know this but Cambrias are intergeneric hybrids created by crossing these genera: Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Miltonia, Cochlioda and Brassia. They were created by men and cannot be found in nature.

Oh, and your Darth Vader pics are beautiful.

Thank you. It's a Miltassia (cross between Miltonia and Brassia).

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[Lilsuzi]

Torture´s about right!! kkk

Yes, I´ve read up about the Cambrias and their origins, but when I treated them the way it said, mine died.
So, I thought I need to do something different. Like change the potting medium.
The temperature last night fell to 5C outside! 11 C by the window, but the Cambria is not near the window now, it´s about 2m away. I´ll drench it once a week. Thanks for all your advice.