Dracula Lotax

[Longroots]

I have a Dracula Lotax on the way after having success with some more adept cool, low light growers. From what I've read and seen, their flowers grow sideways normally, and look like you'd be able to appreciate their flowers in semi hydro, although I've seen nothing substantial about people growing them in semihydro.

Obviously the salt build-up is the most prominent problem I'm thinking about, which I was planning on gathering some rainwater and just using rainwater for a while with no fertalizer. My LECA will be soaked for a few days in rainwater (if it actually rains here), to prepare it also.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I don’t grow this species. Or genus really. But rain water is the best.

It takes all the guess work out of watering and fertilizer

[Longroots]

I plan on gathering rainwater, and then freezing it to keep it fresh as some weeks in the UK we can go weeks without rain.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Longroots

I plan on gathering rainwater, and then freezing it to keep it fresh as some weeks in the UK we can go weeks without rain.

It's better to store it in an opaque container (to avoid algae growing) because if you freeze it you'll need 10% more space

[Longroots]

I'll try and find somewhere I can store it. I have a small Masdevallia and soon a small Lotax obviously so I won't need a big container. Perhaps just a standard opaque water bottle or 2 would do best for them

[SADE2020]

I never hear of Draculas in leca.. but if you want to see flowers, mining that if it is your goal in a short term, you shouldn't report or divide the plant. What could work is to set the leca or pebbles on the bottom and hang it from the borders of a container or a glass vase.

[Longroots]

This is the exact Dracula I'm recieving, in its exact soil type. I was planning on adding perlite to the leca to keep it more moist. As it's a Lotax, it's flower spikes don't often go 'down' and tend to go 'up' instead, so hanging/mounting isn't required, it's why I chose this variety (also as I've read it's an easier Dracula, and slightly cheaper).

Perhaps I should buy some seramis instead instead of using perlite though?

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Longroots

This is the exact Dracula I'm recieving, in its exact soil type. I was planning on adding perlite to the leca to keep it more moist. As it's a Lotax, it's flower spikes don't often go 'down' and tend to go 'up' instead, so hanging/mounting isn't required, it's why I chose this variety (also as I've read it's an easier Dracula, and slightly cheaper). Mine are place in a terrarium.

Perhaps I should buy some seramis instead instead of using perlite though?

I got you.

Sorry, I probably confused you. I didn't mean hanging mounted but sort of hanging in it pot (hard to explain hahaha check the pic below), it is just an idea, as I said I wouldn't report immediately that is my main advice. I have Draculas, lotox included, they need to be let alone to really adapt before changing their setup. Sphagnum seams to be their ideal medium.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon...._AC_SX466_.jpg

[Longroots]

I see what you mean now. Basically deliberately place leca and water in a pot with no drainage hole for example and place the unaltered Dracula pot on the leca so it still has the same concept for wicking up moisture