It's been a long time since I looked at what manufacturers recommend. The total amount of fertilizer the plants get over the course of a certain period of time is the trick. If you fertilize 2 x month then the conventional wisdom calls for 1/2 strength so that one full dose strength is delivered each month.

When it comes to the Pleurothallis alliance plants, I titrate my effort with a ppm meter. Start with 0ppm RO water (less than 10 at least) and add enough MSU fertilizer to give me a reading between 100 and 200, 150 is the average. This they get every 2 to 3 days. 10 to 15 minutes after watering/fertilizing them I give them a flush with pure RO water, at least the Dracula and some of the more sensitive plants like Lepanthes etc. This results in good growth with no leaf tip burn.

I don't give these plants a winter rest as I heat them in the winter keeping the temp above 55F at all times. I learned this from some of the PA types who feel that these plants will tolerate temps into the low 30s without problem but will cease to grow if you let them get that cold. If you keep the night time lows above 50, they keep growing all winter long.

Where do you grow your Dracs and how many different types do you cultivate?

Nick

Thanks Nick,

I'll keep doing what i've been doing, 1/2 tsp twice a month for Paphs and 1/4 tsp for Dracs. Today was the first time I've read the label in years and got too wandering.

I have 10 Dracs in the entrance way to my house, extra big skylight. The door has glass, so I can see them when I walk by. Outside there are 17 more, hanging under giant timber bamboo and Japanese Maples, where they are against the North wall of a small apartment building next to my house, they also get good reflected light from another building. In 6 years, only 2 have died and none of them have leaf tip burn. Maybe it's our great San Francisco water. If i got more they would be in the sun but I am looking for Dracula ubangina, Ill find a place for this one!!!! I leave them outside unless it gets below 45F then they go in the basement but our weather makes it easy most of the time. They do slow up a bit that low. Thanks again.

Danny

I have ubangina 'Juan' but without finding it I'm not 100% sure if it can yield a division. I believe it can. If you want to trade email me. The water and weather of SF makes it easy to take care of them, here in hot dry SOCAL I have to fight all the way.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Just last week I emailed Andy, if he had one for sell. Harry called and said he wasn't sure but Andy will be back wednesday.

Nick, if Andy doesn't have one,when yours get bigger, would you have any interest in selling a piece? I've never traded a plant, I just buy them. It would be like getting rid of a puppy I really loved. I know it's weird, but that's San Francisco. lol

Thanks again,

Danny

I never get rid of one either. The beauty of trading is that it's a win-win situation. I bought this plant from Hawk Hills for $100 over a year ago. Had a partner so we split both the plant and the cost, but still a more expensive plant. Back then, Andy did not have it. I just re-mossed it this morning as I do all my Pleuro Alliance plants once a year. At that time I made a division as I do with almost all of them. I like to have the mother plant in a basket, a second one mounted and a third for potential trade.

This split, hold on to your hat, consists of ONE adult leaf with 3 new ones forming and a gaggle of healthy roots. You may think a one leaf division is ridiculous but Dracula, if given the right environment, which you have, will take off with this. Easy enough for me to hold on to it for 2 months until it establishes itself and produces more growth. I'll be in SF April 11th, could make a swap then. If you want to be sure it's established next trip to SF is May 19th for the PA meeting.

Trading is a win-win situation as my plant is still the same, I lost nothing. In return I expect a small division of something worth wile which should also leave your mother plant virtually unchanged. I find selling them totally disappointing. Say you give me $20 for this small division the next time I buy a tube of tooth paste the $20 is gone. I'm exaggerating but you get the point. A trade plant on the other hand gives lasting pleasure.

Nick

HI NIck,

Thanks for the offer but I talked to Gary Meyer yesterday. I found out he lives close to my house and has one for sell, so he's going to bring it over.

Thanks again,

Danny

You live in Dracula heaven. Gary (and John) probably knows more about Dracula than anyone in America. Or the world?

Nick

Hi,I have 5 new dracula orchids and I need help for the fertilizing. How many times per month,and how much fertilizer per L ?