Aspasia lunata var. albina

[Rosim_in_BR]

Interesting albino variety of the species. It is common having two flowers per stem in this plant instead of one, the normal for the species.

[kiki-do]

Wow, Mauro, wonderful display! You give new meaning to "green thumb."
I had company over the past few days, and one person looked at all my orchids (74) and there were only a handful in bloom right now. He said "I thought there would be more!" Somehow that hurt just a tad, but I have so many spiked and about to open that it is so exciting. Perhaps I could borrow a few from you in the meantime????? kiki-do

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Wow, Mauro, wonderful display! You give new meaning to "green thumb."
I had company over the past few days, and one person looked at all my orchids (74) and there were only a handful in bloom right now. He said "I thought there would be more!" Somehow that hurt just a tad, but I have so many spiked and about to open that it is so exciting. Perhaps I could borrow a few from you in the meantime????? kiki-do

Kiki, if we had the means, of course you could borrow some! But, Kiki, don't let others hurt you, not even just a tad, because it doesn't matter how many orchids we grow, nor how many are in bloom today or tomorrow. What matters is the pleasure we take from growing all and each one of them. The flowers are just the way they have to thank the grace of life and also to make us proud of what we did for them!

[kiki-do]

Thank you Mauro. Spoken like a true orchid friend. I do love to watch them grow and love them even when they are green, resting, readying for bloom, spiking, or throwing out roots. No one understands the love for orchids that we all have....but us. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of what we have! kiki-do

[pheli]

Great growing!

[Grandma M]

It doesn't matter how many orchids we grow, nor how many are in bloom today or tomorrow. What matters is the pleasure we take from growing all and each one of them. The flowers are just the way they have to thank the grace of life and also to make us proud of what we did for them![/QUOTE]

What a beautiful sentiment. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[quiltergal]

Ahem! Kiki-do you may want to remind that individual that we are after all in the DEAD OF WINTER! Tell him/her to come back and see what's blooming in the spring! Non orchid people just don't get it.

[cupcake]

Have you the phrase " slap with a wet fish " over there? How rude! Great plant bye the way Mauro.

[Normkp]

Hello Mauro,
I've just got an Aspasia lunata from Oak Hill Gardens. I'd like some guidance. It seems to be well potted in bark right now. I'm thinking of putting it in semi-hydro. Any thoughts on that?
Norm

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by Normkp

Hello Mauro,
I've just got an Aspasia lunata from Oak Hill Gardens. I'd like some guidance. It seems to be well potted in bark right now. I'm thinking of putting it in semi-hydro. Any thoughts on that?
Norm

Hi Norm! Your plant seems to be doing nicely the way it is planted. The trick with this kind of Oncidiinae is to keep the root tips healthy avoiding any kind of injury, especially those caused by the fertilizer salts (assuming you use chemical fertilizers). Also, it is a good idea to adjust the pH of the fertilizing solution to the acidic side, something around 6. I give my Aspasias and Miltonias the same treatment I give my Draculas when the subject is chemical fertilization: I fertilize, wait 20min, half an hour more or less, then I water thoroughly to wash any residual salt away. By doing this you keep the media always free of salts and prevent the root tips from burning (by the chemicals).
As for the SH, well I have never tried it with Aspasia but did it with Brassia verrucosa. The results were very good, by the way, so I guess you're not gonna have any trouble with Aspasia. But, see, I don't have any previous experience with Aspasia in SH, it's just my opinion.
If I can be of any further help, just let me know!