Fairly New to Pleuros...Have QUESTIONS

[David Morris]

I do not own the P. alvaroi, but have allenii which is similar and it's sheaths are brown befor flowering. The paliolata is the same. A secret for flowering paliolata is that it's night temperature in my experience has to be below 55f

[hosshead]

Originally Posted by David Morris

I do not own the P. alvaroi, but have allenii which is similar and it's sheaths are brown befor flowering. The paliolata is the same. A secret for flowering paliolata is that it's night temperature in my experience has to be below 55f

aaahh.
I can do that.
My greenhouse is a cool greenhouse instead of a hot one, the temps average around 40's at night,(except in the summertime, then it's ambient temps.)

Since it's the season where I am moving plants out during the day and then back inside for the night....I'll just trot them the opposite direction of the other plants.

[Ed Weber]

Pleurothallid culture is a delicate balancing act of temperature, water, humidity, light and air. While it is true that most people would say Pleuro's are low light plants, I've seen them growing in full sun exposed to the elements in Ecuador. I increased my light levels when I got home and acheived better results than before. My collection presently consists of just over 600 plants. All but 10 are pleurothallids.
Light levels - I grow under lights. I have presently 12 CFLs, 6 cool white, 6 warm white, and 1 400-Watt CFL 'grow light' from Charlies. This produces enough light for my 12 x 12 x 8 indoor light room, which is lined inside with reflective kevlar.
Temperature - many pleuros come from the tropics, but from high altitudes in the tropics. Generally speaking, pleuros can tolerate temps down into the 40's and up into the 80's or low 90's for short periods. My preferred zone of comfort is 55 - 75, maintained by thermostatically controlled heating or cooling, depending on the time of year.
Water - NO SOFTENED WATER! if you have a small collection, collect rain water and use that. If you have only softened water, you will need to obtain either distilled water or get unsoftened water from a friend. Salt in softened water kills pleuros very very quickly.
Humidity - is different from water. Humidity is water 'dissolved' in the air, so to speak. To get it there, you need air movement over a wet surface ie a swamp cooler, or a humidifier. I prefer the cool mist humidifiers, but for larger applications such as mine, I prefer to make my own using a 5-head ultrasonic fogger I bought online. With this I am able to maintain 75 - 80% humidity at all times.
Air - when you combine cool temps with high humidity and low light, you get mushrooms. We don't want mushrooms. To prevent this and other nasty things from growing on your plants, place a small fan, or more if you have large space, so that the air is gently moving constantly. Oscillating fans are also acceptable.
They are also among the most forgiving plants I've encountered. The little sheaths are normally brown when they flower, and whatever you do, don't cut them off! Each pleurothallid leaf will produce flowers over and over again throughout its lifetime, unlike all other orchids where a new growth will flower once then just serve as energy storage for the plant.
Happy Growing!
Ed