Second batch of new orchid frenzy buy--more advice for a noob?

[estación seca]

At this point it's mostly experimentation with your plants, observing what happens and deciding what to do next. Many plants are triggered to grow and/or flower by changes in day (or night) length, but I don't know about these plants.

Den. lindleyi is known as a seasonal grower/bloomer, but I suspect growth and flowering have different triggers. I would continue treating it as you have been. And, as with any Den, if it is actively growing new shoots, you must water it.

I don't know whether Den. cucumerinum is as locked into a seasonal pattern as is lindleyi. It certainly has a wet-dry pattern in habitat, but other Dockrillias will continue to grow all year if temperatures and water are correct. Some species can flower throughout the year and some have definite flowering seasons.

Vandas tend to be very easy to grow if you give them enough water and heat. They will push leaves constantly if they are happy,. Humidity is a plus, and you will read everywhere that they require it. I have found they don't need as much as people think, provided the grower provides enough water. Vanda pumila / Ascocentrum pumilum has a reputation for being difficult to grow; I suspect many people give it too much light and not enough warmth.

[Zindaginha]

All right, then: I will try to add a heat pad to where my vanda is (the carnivores might appreciate it, too), but otherwise I shall leave everything the same as I have been doing and see how things go, at least till spring.

Thanks, everyone!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Zindaginha

All right, then: I will try to add a heat pad to where my vanda is (the carnivores might appreciate it, too), but otherwise I shall leave everything the same as I have been doing and see how things go, at least till spring.

Thanks, everyone!

Whoa... not so fast. Vanda pusilla used to be Ascocentrum pusillum and now actually is Trichoglottis pusilla. No matter what its name is, the species comes from high elevations in Java and Sumatra - the Baker culture sheet lists the temperature range of the habitat as being 43 deg F to 85 deg F. So this plant does not need any particular extra warmth. Even if it is called "Vanda". Your initial evaluation of its needs were correct.

One of the difficulties with lumping genera based upon DNA is that information about a particular species gets muddied. Most Vandas (and the ones that are commercially popular) do tend to be warm growers. But as an example, Neofinettia falcata, which likes to be on the cool side, is now Vanda falcata. Its culture hasn't changed, and the climate in Japan is changing with that of the rest of the world, but it hasn't changed to match the genus re-classification du jour of Neofinettia to Vanda .

[Zindaginha]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Whoa... not so fast. Vanda pusilla used to be Ascocentrum pusillum and now actually is Trichoglottis pusilla. No matter what its name is, the species comes from high elevations in Java and Sumatra - the Baker culture sheet lists the temperature range of the habitat as being 43 deg F to 85 deg F. So this plant does not need any particular extra warmth. Even if it is called "Vanda". Your initial evaluation of its needs were correct.

One of the difficulties with lumping genera based upon DNA is that information about a particular species gets muddied. Most Vandas (and the ones that are commercially popular) do tend to be warm growers. But as an example, Neofinettia falcata, which likes to be on the cool side, is now Vanda falcata. Its culture hasn't changed, and the climate in Japan is changing with that of the rest of the world, but it hasn't changed to match the genus re-classification du jour of Neofinettia to Vanda .

Whew! Thanks! Yes, I noticed that the Asco. actually seems pretty content right now--the damaged parts of the roots have shriveled up completely and the other parts look really good, and it is putting out new leaves. It looks happy enough. Glad you spoke up before I decided to cook the little guy, though!