Beallara howard's dream

[charity]

Anyone know exactly what makes this plant thrive? I have been growing one for awhile, It blooms but is never as vigorous and healthy as my other intergenetics of similar parentage.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Charity. We grow this one here and from what I can tell, the less I do to it, the happier it is. It likes to grow out of its pot. We grow ours in a bark mixture with charcoal, perlite, and some coco husk. We water it once a week during the cooler months and twice a week during the warmer months. We fertilize with a weak mixture about once every two weeks (we used to do more often, but time and all.... lol). Light is just like the rest of our oncidium type orchids. And we grow in a greenhouse with lots of air movement. Good luck!

cheers,
BD

[charity]

So, I guess I should stop repotting the thing and leave it the hell alone.Probably isn't helping. Now that I think of it, both of mine declined right after I repotted. Mine are lucky if they get once a month fertilizing, because I find salt build up very harmful to some and don't have time to flush them(maybe twice a year)

[Brutal_Dreamer]

How strong of fertilizer are you using, Charity? You should not see salt buildup with such an infrequent fertilizing schedule (assuming you water at least once a week in between the times you feed.) Other than that, I think I would recommend leaving one of them alone and let it grow in its pot while you continue on schedule with the other. Since you have two, see if repotting really was the issue. Make sure they both get really bright but filtered sunlight and lots of air circulation to help them dry off after you water. Good luck!

cheers,
BD