Is Frosty Dawn right for me?
 

To make the long story short, a while back, I setup my orchid terrarium in a 40g fish tank. Just 3 common mini Phala orchids and they did fine and did bloom for the past 2 years. My other plants grew too big and now, few weeks ago, I made myself an indoor grow tent/green house enclosure.

Size is about 4ft tall. 5 ft long and 2 ft deep. Is cover with a sheet of clear vinyl and the frame is constructed using 1/2 inch dia PVC pipes. 4 t8 bulbs for the lighting (15 hours per day). Planning to add another 2 bulbs trip, making it 6bulbs. There is a 4" computer case fan blowing inside. The humidity is kept 80% to 95% for most of the day.

My rest of the plants (mostly ferns and some airplants and bromeliad) are doing fine. My other other mini orchid (phala) are doing fine.

With the all the space I have now, I am thinking about adding some Den Frosty Dawn. I also read about some people couldn't get it to bloom for 3 years. :)

Should I go ahead anyway? How big do they get? Are their root system becomes long or just bunched up and dense? Obviously, I am going to air mount it potted inside a container with plenty of holes. My enclosure is 4 ft tall but there are plants near the ground level. So, in total, my tent can accommodate a 2ft to 3ft tall specie.

I am planning to order one on ebay, from a well known grower in Hawaii. $34 for a foot tall mature plant near blooming (6 months+ from now).

:bump:

Thanks. Well, I searched the board but the subject of Frosty Dawn didn't generate much results. I assume that particular orchid strain isn't popular? I just placed an order for one and should arrive on Monday. Let's hope I won't need to wait 3 years for it to bloom.....:)

I have a frosty dawn. It is about 15 inches tall and bloomed last winter. Hoping for blooms again this winter. They do like high light and a cooler, drier winter to set buds. I have in now in full sun from sunup until around 3 PM, still outside to get the cool nights. Will bring it in before frost.

Thanks...that's some large bloom there, comparing to the size of the leaves.

It came in this morning from Hawaii....and just repotted using just orchid barks. The air inside is strong enough that the basket moves and swings slightly. I have to see how soon the barks would dry up under the current airflow and humidity condition. Currently at 90%...if I should need to water heavy daily.

BTW, why is that only the top of the spike has leaves?

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5727/2...a3afc57b_b.jpgdenfrostydawn1 by vracing, on Flickr


https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5257/2...1d063a29_b.jpgdenfrostydawn2 by vracing, on Flickr


https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5189/2...fe4c815d_b.jpggrowtent by vracing, on Flickr

It is not unusual for leaves to fall off starting at the bottom of the cane. Sometimes they all fall off before it blooms, sometimes only some fall of. They tend to be somewhat deciduous.

I think with this particular hybrid is an evergreen variety. Not a true nobile. I think from what I read. A complete Winter rest may not be needed. I am still puzzled by the fact that the tallest cane is producing new leaves on the top. Whereas the 3 other canes, smaller, aren't. And the tips are "brown" off like this here...

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5590/3...0ddd6121_b.jpgnybg__1 by vracing, on Flickr


I begin to wonder maybe the tallest cane is actually a newer growth??? At the moment, it is growing another cane at the base of the root.

Under good conditions (and until fully mature), the newer growth will typically be larger and more robust than the older/less mature ones.
Which is exactly what you want...improvement, not decline :)

I haven't grown Frosty Dawn, but I've looked at it lustfully from time to time, until I read that the flowers are quite short lived.
I'm afraid Dendrobium bracteosum and the like have spoiled me...I want my flowers for umm, six months.