Bonatea speciosa orchid

15 seeds

• Light: Provide bright, indirect light or a semi-shady spot. Protect from intense, direct sun.
• Temperature: Prefers cool-intermediate temperatures, ideally not exceeding 30°C (86°F) in summer. In the Gulf, they may need to be grown in pots so they can be moved indoors during extreme heat.
• Humidity: Unlike many other orchids, Bonatea speciosa does not like high humidity. Good air circulation is essential.
• Watering and Dormancy: Water heavily when in active growth during summer. The plants are deciduous, meaning the above-ground parts die off completely in the dormant season (fall to winter). During this leafless dormancy, withhold water almost completely, keeping the mix only slightly moist, restarting when new growths emerge. Over-watering is the most serious cultivation problem, leading to tuber rot. Avoid wetting the leaves and new shoots.
• Potting Mix: Use a very well-draining, sandy terrestrial mix to prevent waterlogging. A mixture of equal parts fibrous peat, loam, coarse sand, and fine bark, with a layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot, is recommended.
• Fertilizing: Only low-phosphorus fertilizers should be applied, as these plants are susceptible to phosphorus toxicity.