C. walkeriana ('Dayane Wenzel' x 'The Chairman')
 

https://photos.smugmug.com/SVO-mini-...%5B1%5D-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/SVO-mini-...%5B1%5D-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/SVO-mini-...%5B1%5D-X2.jpg

2 flowers and 4 buds to date from clipped ends :biggrin:


thanks for looking and happy holidays!!! :bowing

Brilliant blooms. Both shape and color are really attractive. I'm curious, living in Houston, this plant does not get anywhere near what might qualify as a cool winter rest, right? Do you give it a drying out period at the end of the summer to induce flowering? Maybe bring it inside to give it a break from the heat and humidity in South Texas? My C. walkerianas bloom reliably every year, but that's because I give them the cool and dry(ish) rest that is typically called for. Would you mind sharing your first-hand cultural practices for this species, please?

Ive almost started to shy away from Rj’s posts, just because I get so engrossed in the terrific pics. I go right out and buy the plant he shows(my bad) lost the last great one , a terrific little plant when I got it and still havent understood why it gradually lost all its leaves one and two at a time.
Rj, that is No reflection on you. I love everyone you show,just that since I live so close I wouldnt have those problems, but Im learning. Thanks.

I'll be curious to see what Steven says. I've been to its habitat but didn't know that at the time. Cool winter in that area meant 85-90 F / 29-32C degree days and 65 - 70 / 18-21C degree nights. Summers are much hotter. There was very little dew when I was there in June, midwinter.

Perhaps the (what sounds like) extreme seasonal dryness may have something to do with triggering the bloom cycle (along with a reduction in the number of hours of daylight?). Interesting, I didn't know that "cool" in the habitat, per your recollection, really isn't my idea of cool. I've been raising my poor walkerianas in a meat locker! :-)

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:32 PM ----------

I also just went back to review the Bakers' cultural sheet for C. walkeriana and it does state that winter nights "average 50 - 53 F." But Brazil's a big country, so maybe the area where this temperature range was taken was different from the area that you had visited, Estacion. Either way, it's good to know that the plants are adaptable and can apparently grow and bloom in a variety of environments.

I live south of Rj and last night it was 39*F I finally brought all my vandas inside.

2nd year seedling from SVO. The plant has been grown this past year outside in miserable heat up to 110*. Under 50% shade cloth full north and east exposure. No hard west sunlight. Watered when it approaches being dry. I think the heat and drying out had a lot to do with the summer buds aborting and why I cut them. Seems it started to bud about the time it started to drop into the 70*s at night and not 85*. It had to have some night time cool down IMO. Its not affected by intermittent security lights at night.

Yes they do come in when it got down to the low 40's this week. Trying to save the rest of the buds from blast bec the weather is just nuts. Going to be in the 80s again and back outside for some water and sun. Also gets a Regular dose of the Kelpak power package ingredients. Buy more Kelpak!!!

:biggrin: thanks you!!!

Waterdog - Try to keep your Vandas above 55 degrees F / 12C.

That's a super happy plant! Excellent growing!

---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 PM ----------

Most places are fairly warm; however, there are some locations that can get a light frost. This species is pretty tough!

Es, I got around 10, and only a couple took some dark spots they have all recovered nicely. I was tring to see what they could handle (being fairly new to keeping orchids). Thanks for the advice!
Oh, and to Rj, I have a full set of Rays products, and their great. Take good care of all your beautiful orchids over the colder months.
Thanks for sharing!:waving