Wilsonara Aloha Sparks 'Pele's Glow' - Orchid Board

NYCorchidman · #1 01-16-2012, 10:50 PM

This one came home with me today.

I've seen similar plants a few times before, but this one stood out to me today.
I knew it was wilsonara of some kind. so I looked up online and in no time, I found out what it's called. Yay!!!!

It has three large peudobulbs. One pb has two spikes loaded with fairly large burgundy red flowers. fragrant as well.
Another pb has one spike growing. Yay!!!!

Also, none of those annoying brown spots on the leaves. and I'm not sure if they sprayed something on the leaves or not, but the leaves on this plant is super shiny like those of phalaenopsis.

Now, anyone who grows wilsonara, please share with me the secrets of how to care for them.

Thank you!

RosieC · #2 01-17-2012, 08:06 AM

Really nice, love that colour.

I don't grow Wilsonara but I grow similar types of Onc Alliance plants. They like to be kept a little bit more moist than Phals, I actually find it difficult to judge watering as I'm scared of rotting the roots and tend to underwater as a result.

They like it a bit cooler than phals as well. In the summer I put mine out in the green house but in the winter I keep them on a cool window ledge. I give mine about the same amount of light as phals. Not sure if that is right or not but seems to work (my one closest in look to yours is in flower just now

)

They are quite forgiving I think so don't worry too much. If I've managed to experiment and get them to grow I'm sure you will to

NYCorchidman · #3 01-23-2012, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Really nice, love that colour.

I don't grow Wilsonara but I grow similar types of Onc Alliance plants. They like to be kept a little bit more moist than Phals, I actually find it difficult to judge watering as I'm scared of rotting the roots and tend to underwater as a result.

They like it a bit cooler than phals as well. In the summer I put mine out in the green house but in the winter I keep them on a cool window ledge. I give mine about the same amount of light as phals. Not sure if that is right or not but seems to work (my one closest in look to yours is in flower just now

)

They are quite forgiving I think so don't worry too much. If I've managed to experiment and get them to grow I'm sure you will to

Thank you, Rosie.
So I should step up on watering. I was going to give them ondicidum care, which for me means slightly drying out in between watering with the exception of twinkle.
I like the low light requirement part.

ronaldhanko · #4 01-23-2012, 02:54 AM

Very nice - I don't have room for them but certainly can admire them in your photos.

ewcia1028 · #5 01-23-2012, 11:08 PM

Very pretty,congrats

RosieC · #6 01-24-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Thank you, Rosie.
So I should step up on watering. I was going to give them ondicidum care, which for me means slightly drying out in between watering with the exception of twinkle.
I like the low light requirement part.

I'm afraid I'm really not an expert on Oncidium, but I understood they should be kept slightly more moist than Phals. However I'm always scared to do that and I give them Phal type watering... then I get concertinas on new growths which is a sign of underwatering... I've never worked them out, except that they grow for me... just with the concertinas.

Merlyn · #7 01-24-2012, 06:05 PM

That's a nice one, NYC !!!

NYCorchidman · #8 01-29-2012, 03:15 AM

Thank you, everyone! I like this more and more everyday. Now it's been about two weeks since this one came home with me and all the buds are in full bloom and the third spike is growing longer and longer.

I took a shot of the spike today and it's got quite a few sugar dews on it. They are also found on the other two spikes where the flowers attach to the spike. They taste really good!

I also noticed one flower (the one on the right in the picture) has this white streaking on the petal. hmmm....I'm trying not to freak out too much and just enjoy the bloom for now.

NYCorchidman · #9 03-01-2012, 12:08 AM

The third spike that was developing last month is finally showing little dark red buds. They are 8 buds and no signs of branching like the other two spikes.

still excited about it though!

NYCorchidman · #10 05-03-2012, 06:07 PM

All the flowers were gone by mid April. It was already growing new shoots, which were peeping out between leaves of mother pbs.
I repotted this one along with my other ondicium hybrids. This one also had tons of noodle like roots, which I cut away half.
I also trimmed some leaves to balance the water loss/uptake due to loss of lots of roots.
The new leaves are still growing and I see new root tips are green, so I guess this one is on the recovery.

would love to see it bloom again!