Monnierara Millenium Magic - is it a spike?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

So, I am totally new to catasetums, and purchased my first one WITCHCRAFT like 2 months ago from Seattle Orchids. Must say, I was getting kinda jealous when I saw here every day someone adding new pictures oh his/hers blooming one. To my surprise I just went to the balcony and adore all my 100 babies and what I do see - something looking like a SPIKE??? Beyond happy and hope this is truly spike??? I also know that there is male and female, no clue what I can even do or should do to make it either one, I know one is prettier and more desirable than other, but what to hack, I am more than happy it will bloom! So, is this a spike??? Many thanks

[kindrag23]

Does it look like this picture? I ordered one and have no idea how to care for it!!!!

@TommyMiami I may be messaging you about what I ordered and how to care for it!!!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Does it look like this picture? I ordered one and have no idea how to care for it!!!!

@TommyMiami I may be messaging you about what I ordered and how to care for it!!!

YES that's the one!!! I love it, so MYSTIC!!! Ok, let me write you culture sheet. These babies need SPECIAL winter care!!!

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------

Monnierara Millenium Magic ( Witchcraft) Care:
Light condition - From partial shade to even direct morning or afternoon sun - loves lot of light! Since they have 2 types of blooms - male or female - I found somewhere than when grown in partial shade, you may end up with MALE spike, when grown on some full sun, you may end up with FEMALE spike (not true if this is really correct info though) Mine has nice full evening sun for some 2-3 hours. Water - during the growing season it LOVES to be kept moist, do not let completely dry in between the waterings. Also, during the growing season it is HEAVY EATER, so fertilize really nearly every single watering - or at least that's what I do! Now, the tricky part will be WINTER: After it will bloom (summer time), it will start to loose it's leaves! Around 15th November STOP fertilizing and limit watering to half amount! When it looses all the leaves, STOP watering COMPLETELY! (in the case your plant won't loose all leaves, still stop watering by 31st December!). VERY IMPORTANT - KEEP DRY TILL NEW GROWTH HAS ROOTS 3"-5"!!! Only than START watering again, and fertilizing for the new growing season! It likes worm temperatures, so I am not sure if you can leave it outside the whole year (I will here in Miami). Hope this will help. Now, it seems like this WINTER REST and watering regime is very important for catasetum plants, so try to follow this, as I will. Next year we both will see:-)

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------

I have 2 diaries already, each of my orchids have one page with culture care, and any notes/tips I read or got here. So, any time you have some plant you need to know care for, PM me, and If I have one, I will be more than happy to provide what I have found/read/got as advice here.

[kindrag23]

I have a winter room that I will be setting up for all of them. So this will be like my Dens., dove orchid leave them alone until they shoot roots.
Does that work for paphs. as well? I just won 2 on ebay and it mentioned a resting period....

---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------

Okay so after reading again and again these almost look like a form of...amaryllis..the roots of it do anyways. they lose all their leafage and then grow back each year 1000 fold

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Sorry Kindrag, I am not really doing any paphs since I am growing in Miami. I love them, BUT they are pain in the neck, easily over watered or under watered and most of them need some cool weather at some point or all the time. I have one I got 2 months ago from friend, in bloom, no ID, but it should be warm tolerant, I did switch it to Hydroton to be able to control more roots and moisture. I have also on the way Paphiopedilum Godefroyae that is worm to hot temps, but I can not give you culture advises on paphs:-(

[kindrag23]

HEY! I have a Paph Godfroyea I just won today! Well we have fabulous taste in orchids my friend!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

:-) Yea, it seems like we go for a lot of the same plants:-) I love this one, it looks so great, the bloom, and the facts it is worm growing is great bonus, I do try only worm to hot growing species now since all my orchids stay outside year round! You need some culture sheet care for this one as well?

[kindrag23]

Lovely thank you!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Lovely thank you!

Paphiopedilum Godefroyae care:
worm temperatures. Roots should be moist at all times - do not let completely dry in between waterings. rain, distilled or RO water only! Fertilize weakly 1x a week in summer, 1xx every 2 weeks in winter. Should have night temperatures drop! Bright light, can take some direct morning or late afternoon sun! I also found that they like extra Calcium, so I will feed it some extra MagiCal. That's so far what I have found about this one.

[kindrag23]

HEY this is awesome, it will do well in my windowsill, I like it REAL cool in my room when I sleep I am severely hot natured. I am the one walking around in basketball shorts and t shirt in winter in my house while my mom and sister look like eskimos