Hi smitten. Thnx for your detailed culture info.
Well, the first thing that came to mind about your elata is the bloom schedule you're having as this is what prompted my culture query. From most of the info I've read it's seems to me there's quite a bit of discrepancy on when this plants normal bloom cycle actually is. Andy's site gives it as Fall/Winter so it's actually alarming to me your little one is spiking here now in early spring. Somebody should re-write the books! Because most of the written info I could gleen from says elata is a late spring thru summer bloomer! So, kudos to you on your care, apparently you've encouraged it to 'step outside the box'.
It's also comforting, of a sort, to know your elata is not fussy about water. I'm not sure what ph you have down there, if what you're using is well water or sourced from Colorado River or wherever but up here in OC our ph is notably high. Ridiculously high actually. So high in fact that Fred Clarke of SVO (Vista, CA which is close to the middle of we two in proximity) recommends, for So Cal applications, an imbalanced fert for tap water in maintenance growing. Something in range of say, 10-20-10, or any ratio where there is higher phosphorus count to counterbalance the high ph.
I say this because if I remember right, Peter's is a balanced fert, 20-20-20 I believe, not sure. And I'm assuming your Super Thrive to have a nitrogen emphasis mix for a foliage growth stimulant. Since you're getting good results if I were to guess I'd say the chances are you're using well water and you need not fret about high ph, but just guessing here..
The amount of light you are giving is equally arresting. This indicates to me it may be just fine to move mine to a stronger source, that it doesn't necessarily need to be coddled in this respect. It's interesting because even Andy's tag gives this one's light requirements as: 'SH', meaning shade. But here again, there are myriads of shades of shade, although he does expand a little on that saying 'indirect low light, slight shade'. I'm not sure if in your opinion this is what you're providing it with or not, but it does sound as if for the most part you have indirect natural light, somewhat bright I would assume given your north/west orientation and that this light is married with artificial light tends to sound like fairly strong light actually. If you don't mind my asking, how close to your LED do you have this plant? meaning, which 'shelf' is it that you maintain it on? the 2' or the longer length?
And the last thing you remarked on regarding temp. is helpful as well. Andy's tag does give it as 'I', intermediate 55-85F, which as I understand it is his method of saying it has somewhat of a range of tolerance although it does prefer warmer conditions. Given it's indigenous locale in lower elevations in Columbia, and further testified to by the indoor environment you are giving 70 degree nights still sound quite warm to me. I just purchased my elata about 6 wks ago (it was living in very shady conditions, very low light) and since I've had it it's had some 50 F nights in that span, a couple few even dipping into high 40s. Doesn't seem to mind it at all. I bought it specifically so as to increase my chances of avoiding death. lol. We do get fairly cool winters at my location, sometimes as low as 35F but this is rare what with the norm more periods of mid-40s, and my idea was to move it inside if necessary when that time comes. That you say it was in full bloom in December leads me to conclude this plant, as far as Masdie's go, is actually quite hardy so possibly I won't have to move it.
Anyway, best of luck in this one's current bloom cycle and thanks for your feedback reply!
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