odontobrassia

[awinterofquiet]

Hi, I'm Krista. I recently purchased a my second orchid, it's a odontobrassia kenneth biven 'santa barbara'. I had a few questions about the care of it since I want it to live long and re-bloom for me. I purchased it with the flower spikes on it and they are just starting to open now.

When it's flowers are all gone, Where do I cut it?
I am using a fertilizer that is 20-20-20, is this correct? Do I use it all year long except once a month just use plain water?
I live on long island, during the summer would it be good if I put it outside during the day? It gets to be very humid and about 80 degrees here.

any other advice that you think would be useful to me would be appreciated. thank you.

Krista

[Diane]

When the flowers are finished, cut the bloom stalk as close to the plant as you can. this plant should do well outside if it has some protection from direct sunlight most of the day - and it will love the humidity. I would fertilize it with half strength fertilizer every week except one week flush with plain water. I use a 13-13-13 fert from the big box stores, plus some orchid specific fert to initiate blooms at the right time. Be on the safe side while you learn about the plant, and use less fert than you think is right. Fertilize burn can kill a plant.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

to what Diane said. Glad to have you join us, Krista.

Cheers,
BD

[awinterofquiet]

thanks so much.. when would I expect it to bloom again if it is in bloom right now? when would I start to use a more specific fert? anything else I would need to do to initiate it to bloom?

Krista