huntleya meleagris

[gravotrope]

this plant should have flowered by now, but at least it is alive and creating new fans. i grew it with too much light, but now see it likes shade or deep shade, intermediate to cold, and constant watering. maybe it needs more food?

anyone else like huntleya? i had never heard of them before may.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I wouldn't grow this orchid in 40 F - 55 F weather. It's probably safer to grow it down to 55 F than it would be 40 F - 45 F. It will definitely fall apart in 36 F temperatures.

I'd grow this in bright shade.

It likes humidity (60% or 65% is probably the lowest I'd go).

Do not grow too wet right now. Increase watering during the warmer months.

They do far better warmer in my experience. I've found a temperature range of 55 F - 95 F is better tolerated than cooler temperatures. Out of curiosity, what kind of behaviors does the plant exhibit that demonstrates to you that they'd do better cooler?

They are a bit challenging to grow long-term, but it can be done.

[gravotrope]

i think due to the amount of light and summer heat i was growing it in it was stressed. it definitely reacted positively to the cooler weather by sending out 4 keikis over the past two months from the original 3 plants. It didnt get into the low 50's until very recently and I brought it in under 55. On IOSPE it says it can be grown cold. it doesn't freeze often here in south florida but even up to freezing i would consider leaving it outside due to its elevated cloud forest habitat. i imagine it can grow alongside pleuros, yet apart from the one restrepioides i have i will not be buying more pleuros unless they like heat like the Condylago i just found. i can easily see myself looking for another Huntleya since they can be damn colorful.

since it's in active growth i think i should feed it, even though this should be a slower growth part of the year. i dont really know, i'm not used to growing this species; only the related zygo bluebird, lycaste bradeorum, cyrtopodium, and catasetums do i have experience with.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This orchid does not have a true winter rest. It will keep growing year round. Winter is usually when it starts to slow down a little.

I really advise against growing this one cooler than 55 F. I've tried it before, and it didn't work.

I don't know how cool it gets where you are, but here, 36 F is not unheard of.

[gravotrope]

the 40's are rare and short lived, and though it occasionally dips into the 30's the last freeze was 2010 i will try to keep it from low 50's, and since it seems active i will feed it. thanks for the tips, i hope it blooms in the spring.