Dracula astuta (Rchb.f.) Luer - Orchid Board

Rosim_in_BR · #1 02-10-2008, 09:30 PM

This nice Dracula comes from the Costa Rican forests and is one of the few that can be grown in regular pots instead of baskets (the floral stem is almost erect).

Paul · #2 02-10-2008, 10:01 PM

Nice! Now just tell me that it is a warm grower!

Rosim_in_BR · #3 02-10-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Nice! Now just tell me that it is a warm grower!

It grows well in the tropics, Paul. Not a hot grower year round, but it faces well our summer!

stonedragonfarms · #4 02-10-2008, 11:54 PM

Very nice Mauro...how does it handle cool temps?
Adam

Rosim_in_BR · #5 02-12-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Very nice Mauro...how does it handle cool temps?
Adam

It does good, Adam! Winters in my region are cool (not freezing, but cool anyway, reaching the low 40's in the dawn) and the plant likes these low temps.

gmdiaz · #6 02-12-2008, 10:12 PM

Your dracula is just beautiful!

I've got a Dracula Hirsuta, that I got from Parkside, in my Exo Terra tank with high humidity and low to medium light, no direct sun, I use only RO water (no fertilizer) and intermediate temps and have fresh circulating mountain air. . .and it STILL isn't happy. . .tips of the leaves keep turning brown and there are some big "freckles"

So tonight I've transplanted it out of it's basket and into a clear plastic pot with seedling sized bark chips. Suppose there is any chance that this will perk it up?

How do I get my Dracula to be as happy as yours? Do tell!

Rosim_in_BR · #7 02-12-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

Your dracula is just beautiful!

I've got a Dracula Hirsuta, that I got from Parkside, in my Exo Terra tank with high humidity and low to medium light, no direct sun, I use only RO water (no fertilizer) and intermediate temps and have fresh circulating mountain air. . .and it STILL isn't happy. . .tips of the leaves keep turning brown and there are some big "freckles"

So tonight I've transplanted it out of it's basket and into a clear plastic pot with seedling sized bark chips. Suppose there is any chance that this will perk it up?

How do I get my Dracula to be as happy as yours? Do tell!

Gwen, I think that you're doing right, except maybe for the medium. I use sphagnum or a mix 50-50 of sphagnum and tree fern fiber to plant most of mine. A few are planted in tree fern fiber only. All of them, except for Dracula astuta, are planted in baskets to make sure that the spikes will reach the outside. I grow them under the heavy shade of a relatively large nut tree hanging from the branches. So, the light they receive are always reflected light. Under such conditions the air movement is free, the temperature is always fresher than the environment around. My water is not RO water, but has very low TDS (total dissolved salts), something around 30ppm. I water every other day because they dry quickly. I fertilize my plants two times a month, more or less, with a NPKCalMag fertilizer, but here's a trick: I fertilize, wait 20-30 minutes then I wash the plants to make sure that residual salts are removed.
Even so, a few of my plants have the same problem of brown tips, but they grow well anyway.
Gwen, these are the general lines of how I grow my Draculas. If I can be of any further or specific help do not hesitate, just let me know.

gmdiaz · #8 02-12-2008, 11:00 PM

Mauro, thank you for your thoughts. I sure do appreciate and enjoy hearing about your plants and how you grow them so beautifully.

I think I'll get another fan for the tank and change the media to a 50-50 mix of spagnum and tree fern fiber! And I love your idea to fertilize and then come back and wash out the plant a bit later.

Will let you know if I see any improvements!

Again, thank you!

Rosim_in_BR · #9 02-12-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

Mauro, thank you for your thoughts. I sure do appreciate and enjoy hearing about your plants and how you grow them so beautifully.

I think I'll get another fan for the tank and change the media to a 50-50 mix of spagnum and tree fern fiber! And I love your idea to fertilize and then come back and wash out the plant a bit later.

Will let you know if I see any improvements!

Again, thank you!

My pleasure, Gwen!

gmdiaz · #10 02-13-2008, 09:19 PM

Here's my little Dracula potted up in 50-50 tree fern fiber and sphagnum moss! (lower right).

We shall see if I can promote some improvement,. Athough it really doesn't look all that bad. . .now that the ugly bits have been trimmed.

Note: To the left of the Dracula is my beeeeutiful and in bloom Masd. calura 'Makawao". . .just so you know.

Thanks, Mauro!