Howeara Lava Burst 'Puanani'

[greenbean]

Even though I took 2 backbulbs off of this plant, leaving only 3 pseudobulbs, it still flowered for me. And this year it did so before I left for college!





I almost forgot to show what I did with the backbulbs! After seeing pictures of another member's Hwra. in water culture, I had to try it. And I have to say the initial results are incredible! See for yourself!

[RosieC]

Wow, what great flowers, and all those new growths look great

[kinknstein]

Awesome plant Evan! My Lava Burst is blooming right now too!!

[tuvoc]

Well done, Evan!

Kim

[Beverly]

Those look really great. I have one in spike and was wondering what it would look like. Thanks for posting.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Hi Evan

The flowers look wonderful.

About the backbulbs. I too left mine in water culture and have given away 3 divisions from it in the past 3 years. It is one of the few orchids that grows very fast and does well in water culture even long-term. I do clean off all dead material and pull off senile root parts to keep the solution in good condition.

[quiltergal]

Nice job Evan! This is one of my favorite plants. It sure looks like it loves water culture. I was considering moving mine to S/H just because all my other Onc. alliance plants are doing so well in it.

[greenbean]

Thanks everybody! This is the second orchid I ever bought, and it was a rescue from a Home Depot, or Lowe's or someplace. Even though it almost died, it has never failed to bloom for me. As tough and gorgeous as it is, it's no wonder it's so popular! Beverly, you're going to love it when those blooms open!

Maria, your Hwra. inspired me to try it in water culture. I know I need to clean it up a bit, but I've been so busy

Terri, I've been looking at S/H recently but haven't made the plunge. I think it would save me time and be easier and better in the long run, but I always balk at spending money. It's that initial investment that's holding me back.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Hi Evan

This is one that does not mind water culture long-term (4 years for me) as long as I keep it clean and the volume of the solution is not too small. I change it more than once a week when I have time. It also easier to divide and ship. It does not mind traveling with a plastic bag around the roots.

About S/H. My division in S/H now has 6 new growths with 18 fat spikes. However, it looks like a shameless climber. All new growths are 1-2 inches above the old. All new roots are healthy and quickly grow down into the pellets. I wonder what will happen with next years growth if they continue to climb. With the ones in water culture I just keep the old pbs under water if necessary to make sure the new roots are under water. They don't seem to mind as long as decaying leaves are removed.

Happy growing.

[greenbean]

Hi Maria

Yes, this is a climber, which is why some orchid books recommend that it be mounted. It might have trouble in S/H if the new growths get too far above the pellets. You might just have to observe it and note if and when it reaches a critical height where the roots no longer make it all the way to the pellets. It will be usefull for anyone else growing this in S/H, like me if I ever make the S/H plunge.

With results like what you describe though, I'd say it's worth dealing with a little bit of misbehavior!