Dracula Café Moca 'Pololei'

[isurus79]

I got this plant this past December. Let's see if this one can live through the heat of summer!

[RosieC]

I really like that one. Not a dracula fan usually but I like that.

I have started keeping my Masdas cool by putting them in clay pots. It's a tip I read here on OB. The water evaporating from the clay causes the clay to cool and thus cool the root zone. I've read that you can grow Masdas in higher temps as long as you keep the root zone cool in this way. There is a company in the USA that sells 'cool pots' specially for growing Masdas but the main principle is this evaporation from the clay. I know that the pots of mine always feel cold to the touch.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I really like that one. Not a dracula fan usually but I like that.

I have started keeping my Masdas cool by putting them in clay pots. It's a tip I read here on OB. The water evaporating from the clay causes the clay to cool and thus cool the root zone. I've read that you can grow Masdas in higher temps as long as you keep the root zone cool in this way. There is a company in the USA that sells 'cool pots' specially for growing Masdas but the main principle is this evaporation from the clay. I know that the pots of mine always feel cold to the touch.

I never knew that about the clay. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to repot quickly.

[RosieC]

I know... I repotted a few weeks back, which was basically as soon as I could get hold of clay pots after reading it here.

Here is a link to the original discussion I saw it on.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...tml#post319386

As I said above, the clay really feels quite cold to the touch when it is damp, you can feel how it warms up when the moss inside has dried out. As Masda's like to be kept on the moister side it's a perfect match.

[Bolero]

Love Drac's but kill them regularly.

I was expecting a darker colour but this colour is really quite pleasing. Thanks for sharing.

[Tindomul]

The sepals are so broad! Looks almost like a Masdie. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[Duane McDowell]

I would think that the "Orchid Pots" that you still can sometimes find might be good for a Dracula. They have big slits up the sides where the spikes would be able to get out. If you're potting in sphagnum in clay, I'd bet you'll be watering almost every morning - Draculas should never dry out. Also, if heat becomes a concern, hang it a little lower in your growing space. It's amazing what a foot or two difference can make in temperature!

[RosieC]

I forgot to mention that you need to make sure they are porous clay pots to get the coolling affect. I had difficulty finding them because a lot of the ones arround me are 'frost resitant' and while they look like terracota unglazed clay they are been fired in a way which means they are not porous. Once I found the porous ones the cooling effect from the evaporation is really good.

Where I am in current (hot for here) weather they are drying in 3-4 days and I try to water just before they actually dry.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Duane McDowell

I would think that the "Orchid Pots" that you still can sometimes find might be good for a Dracula. They have big slits up the sides where the spikes would be able to get out. If you're potting in sphagnum in clay, I'd bet you'll be watering almost every morning - Draculas should never dry out. Also, if heat becomes a concern, hang it a little lower in your growing space. It's amazing what a foot or two difference can make in temperature!

My pot is a regular pot with slits cut down the side and its hanging a foot off the ground under a mango tree. Its just plain hot here in Hawaii! I think I'll try the cooling effect of the clay pots, never tried it before. Thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by RosieC

I forgot to mention that you need to make sure they are porous clay pots to get the coolling affect. I had difficulty finding them because a lot of the ones arround me are 'frost resitant' and while they look like terracota unglazed clay they are been fired in a way which means they are not porous. Once I found the porous ones the cooling effect from the evaporation is really good.

Where I am in current (hot for here) weather they are drying in 3-4 days and I try to water just before they actually dry.

I was thinking about that today. I wonder how tough it is to find porous clay pots that are unglazed. Ive never bought clay before.

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I never knew that about the clay. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to repot quickly.

I thought most dracs sent their spike down through the medium, making a net pot or slated basket necessary?