Dracula orchids

[jason1783]

I had a question I bought a dracula orchid and right now I have it under a little growlight its one that is for just like one potted plant. Have had it under there for 2 days now , Is that a good idea? Im kinda reading that these are not like my other orchids that I keep under the lights . But not sure . Also I have a hydrophonics system just a cheap one i bought online and was goin to use it on some orchids that i bought but never did get lost my money on that . but now I have those 2 pots., Does anyone think that the dracula orchid would do better in something like that ? I dont know myself I know that Id love for it to live an flourish well if anyone knows letme know please . there isnt really alot of info that i can find on the web about actually growing these kinds of orchids ...I have found a little bit of stuff but not alot ....
Thanks for your time '

[Paul Mc]

Do you know what species or hybrid it is? Some are heat tolerant and others require cool temps, all require high humidity, and some bloom from the bottom as opposed to the top as most orchids do.

[isurus79]

Paul is right, there are lot of Dracs whose blooms go down, rather than up. This would make growing in s/h a bad idea! Unless it is one of the Dracs that blooms upwards. Then its a great idea! Welcome to OB too.

[jason1783]

Dracula barrowii is the one I got . Have been looking around and when I get paid this friday Im going to order a cool pot for it an maybe move to the basement since it is colder down there than in the main house ? It will be very pretty if it lives .... the humidity is something I know I need to work on big time I have it downstairs but upstairs last nite the humidty was only 40% dont think that is good ,,, read somewhere it needed to be 70 or 80 I think it was .... I think I got a hard to tend to plant. I knew it would be but just thought Id try ...but anyhow that is the kind it says it is went an got the stick thing out of the pot that had it wrote on it also says huanaco peru ig that would be telling where it comes from ...hard to make a room feel like peru lol I have had luck with alll my other orchids some just generic ones that come out of the store a couple tho I bought online from accross the world an they have had flowers so I thought just maybe I could get a dracula to live .....

[isurus79]

I think you might be in luck with this one in terms of growing it in s/h. Karma is a well known grower in Sweden and it turns out she grows this one in a pot: Orchid Karma – The taming of Dracula barrowii

She's got some tips in the post that you might find helpful too. Looks like you chose a tough plant to grow! lol

[orchidsarefun]

you should think about a terrarium for it, to maintain humidity.
I saw a lot of these at Hausermann's today - round about $14.99 and in bloom. They are certainly eye-catching, but the problem is the min/max temps. I gave it a pass as I could never consistently get to that 40f.
GL !

[Paul Mc]

I agree with S/H at this time. I'm testing method Ray had on his website for cooler growers at this time. You might check out FirstRays.com and look at his information. I can't remember where the modified S/H method is, but its solar to zeer pots, as long as your relative humidity is low. But if your Dracula blooms from the base it's defeating the purpose.

[DelawareJim]

Paul;

Is it at the bottom of this page?
"Stretch" Your Growing Conditions

Cheers.
Jim

[Paul Mc]

Yup, that's it!!!