Cross: (Miltassia Charles M. Fitch x Oda. Fremar)
Intro:
Beallara Marfitch ‘Howard’s Dream’ AM/AOS is an intergeneric hybrid utilizing the species Miltonia spectabilis, Brassia verrucosoa, Cochlioda noezliana, Odontoglossum crispum Odm. Percatorei, and Odm. harryanum. Because the majority of its parentage grows intermediate to warm, this plant is adaptable to a wide range of temperatures. It is easy growing and can flower twice a year. The large dark grape colored flowers are long lasting and visually stunning.
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Light:
Low to medium light, from 800-1500 foot-candles, is best. During the winter months, if in the far Northern Hemisphere, increase the daylight levels to 2000-2500 foot-candles. Strong light will cause the leaves to turn purple in color. A slight tinge of purple in the leaf is ideal. These plants will also do well under high pressure sodium fixtures.
P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.
Temperature:
Cool, intermediate and nearly warm. This plant will grow well in most parts of the world. Minimum low should be 55º. Maximum high should be in the low 90’s. To initiate spikes the night temp should hover around 65º or cooler. Temperatures can effect color. When the temps are quite warm the flowers are a lighter purple and the flower size is not as large. With cooler temps. The flowers can reach up to 7 inches in size and the color becomes dramatically darker.
Humidity:
50% or higher. When growing in bright light, provide more humidity and air movement to prevent burning.
The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.
We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker. Please click on the underlined text for more information on these products.
Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water in the morning hours only when the mix approaches dryness. This can be from every 5 to 7 days.
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Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.
Fertilizer:
We highly recommend
Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water.
Or, use
GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.
Another fertilizer offered is GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula).
Flowering:
This plant can flower twice per year, Spring and Fall. The spikes bear large 4-5” flowers colored in purple- burgundy, magenta and white. Larger plants produce many flowers per spray. They typically last 2-3 months.
Repotting:
The best time to repot this plant is in the spring months from March to early June or whenever new growth begins. Utilize a mix that is moisture-retentive. It prefers a bark or coconut husk mix.
We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, osmunda fiber and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.
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