Vuylstekeara Taida Clement 'Runaway Strut' - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Bud · #1 11-02-2013, 05:09 PM

Vuylstekeara is = Cochlioda, Miltonia and Odontoglossum (Cda x Milt x Odm).

The Vuylstekeara variety of orchids are becoming very popular with collectors for ease of growing and long lasting sprays of distinct flower form which often have unique color combinations and a pleasant fragrance. My plant bloom once a year and it is located at the south facing window sill for this plant prefer bright shaded light; the leaves should be bright green as opposed to dark green or reddish green. Reddish green indicates too much light; dark green indicates not enough light. I give this 75-85 degree F. day & 60-65 degrees F. at night to induce blooms.
I wait until this get dry between watering….and I make sure to keep water out of the new growth at the base of the plant…..But I give it more water while the new shoot is growing and less once the bulb has formed; I have four new growths this season and three old bulbs with two spikes. Vuylstekeara enjoy moist air, requiring a minimum of 40-50% humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Humidity should be increased with higher temperatures. The ideal humidity is between 55 and 75%, with as much ventilation or air movement as possible without any cold drafts. Humidity can be increased around the plant by placing the pot on an inverted saucer in a baking pan filled with pebbles, rock chips and water. I keep water level below top of pebbles so that the plant will not have "wet feet" from sitting in water. Morning misting of foliage is also helpful, especially during hot weather.
I repot every two years. As a general rule, I repot them when the new growth is two to three inches tall. The base of the new growth should be potted about 1/2" (no deeper) into the fresh mix. I keep mix barely damp until I see the new roots penetrating the bark, then I resume normal watering.
I feed it k-lite fertilizer with seaweed mix weekly weakly.