Phrag. Intis Tears care

[PhysicsMike]

Wow! That's outstanding! This one has two new growths which at this time seem to be quite young. I am impressed with yours, as nice as the ones at the greenhouse we just visited. I'll look into that fertilizer.

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

How often do you water, daily, and drain dry? And how often on the fertilizer as well? Thanks once agin for the great info and sharing.

[jeremyinsf]

Thanks!!! Would still love to see other pictures of your plant. I have a Phrag. Sorcerer's Apprentice of my own on it's way and it arrives tomorrow! It's a young plant, but is in spike/bloom and has a mature, and 2 young growths on it as well. I hope if I take care of it the same way as the others, it will thrive. I've wanted this kind of phrag since I learned what a phrag was!

---------- Post added at 11:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------

You are welcome! I'm happy to share my experiences. They may not fit yours or others, but what I'm doing seems to work for me. I really enjoy it and take my time and get a lot in return.

I grow all my plants inside, and I live in San Francisco, so my weather and humidity is a bit different than yours. They get bright filtered light from the bay windows in my living room.

I have a small watering can I keep in this area. When I fill it up, I add fertilizer to it so it's in there, but keep it weak. But, it's always in there. I add a bit of water to each plant every day so it stays moist. The pots drain very well, so any excess goes down into a saucer below and I turkey baste that out so it doesn't sit too long if I put too much. Each plant is in a slotted orchid pot, but then that sits in a glazed ceramic orchid pot. This gives each of them stability (they become top-heavy) and also because of their shape, keeps a small amount of water at the base of the plant. Once a month or so I move the plants into the other room and flush them with clean water. I try to not move them around beyond that, because that's when flowers fall off early (or easily, whatever you want to call it). I don't ever let them become totally dry. I will skip a day or maybe even two with the watering top-off every now and again, basically when it's their day to be neglected for the other children, and this probably helps them out. There is a fan in this area to help with circulation, but it's not pointed at any specific plant, which would dry it out too quickly.

Feel free to ask anything else if it comes to mind. I'm sort of just rattling off thoughts here, as I sit and look at them :-)

[PhysicsMike]

The son is teaching the father....here's the full view.

[jeremyinsf]

Nice! It's hard to guess what the roots look like, but based on the size of the plant, it's probably good to stay in that pot for a bit. Since it's in what looks like a bark mixture, you probably don't need to 'top off' water every day like I do. Maybe just water it to keep it moist, every few days or something. Just not totally soggy, all the time.

Looks like a healthy plant. The new growths will flourish before you know it!

You do know NOT to cut off the spike if it drops the flowers, right? It can 'rest', and then make new buds. Only cut the spike if it drys/shrivels up.

[PhysicsMike]

That's what I have been doing with my other varieties, so not something new to learn! Thanks.