Beallara Care questions
 

Hi,

My mother-in-law gave me what I believe to be a Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter "Morning Joy" a couple of weeks ago. It's a beautiful orchid that has 5 open blossoms and 4 more on the way. I'm curious as to its care and needs. I'm currently watering it weekly in the same "flooding" fashion that I water my phal with water from my planted aquarium. It's in a bright, but not sunny window and seems to be doing well so far - I want to make sure that I can provide it with good long term growing and blooming conditions. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

SR

Hi ... I'm not sure this will be of much help as I haven't had any of this particular plant, but from my experience, there are some Beallaras that require a very specific day vs. night temperature gradient to flower, hence they are difficult to get blooming indoors where the temperature is pretty stable. If you treat them like your Phals, they will love you and grow for you like crazy -- but they just won't flower.

Beallara
 

The Beallaras also want more light than the Phals but not as much as some Catts, Dens, or, Oncidiums. We have 2 varieties and the Peggy Ruth Carpenter will take more light than the Marfitch "Howard's Dream". Watch the color of your plants and if it starts getting yellowish, it's getting too much light. You want the Beallaras to be light green - the color of new grass. Most Phals will normally be a darker green than that. Other than the light requirement, the rest of the care can be the same as for your Phal. Good luck!

Sandra in South Carolina

Hi, thanks for the great replies! So, when you say more light, are we talking some direct sun light, or should that be avoided? Thanks again!

Direct sun
 

Most orchids do not grow in direct sun in their natural habitat. Most get mottled shade from the sun passing through trees, etc. We use shade cloth in our GH to reduce the intensity of the sun and the Marfitch "Howard's Dream" still has to go in a shadier area in the summer. I wouldn't put any orchids in the direct sun in the summer. However, toleration of sunlight is also influenced by air movement and humidity so it isn't a simple, "cookie cutter" answer. As I said, watch the color of your plants and don't be afraid to change the locations around until you get the one that works best for you.

Sandra in South Carolina

Thank you Sandra!

Paul