Cross: (kovachii 'Laura' x Living Fire 4N)
Intro:
Phrag. Allison Strohm is a hybrid between Phrag, kovachii ‘Laura’ and Living Fire (4n). This is one of the first kovachii hybrids to flower and is an easy to grow hybrid that can be grown in a variety of different mixes. The large flowers are intense orange to coral red in color and are of a large size being 5-6 inches or more across in size. The plants are robust with wide leaves.
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Light:
Low to medium light with 700 to 1500 foot candles being ideal. This plant will do well at an east windowsill or under fluorescent lights. If under lights grow at 18 to 24 inches from 4, four foot long fluorescent bulbs. This plant will do well 4-5 feet from a High Pressure sodium fixture also.
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:
This plant prefers intermediate temperatures between 70 and 85 for a day temp and 55 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit for a night temp. It is best not to allow this plant to be in temperatures much over 85 for extended periods. If you grow your plants outside in the summer bring this one in to the air conditioning if the day temps exceed 85 for extended periods.
Humidity:
This plant likes a relative humidity of 50 percent or higher.
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.
Water:
It is best to use rain distilled or reverse osmosis water or municipal or well water that has a PH of 7.5 or lower. This plant loves water and can stand in a saucer of water about an inch deep. Water from the top of the pot flushing the potting mix heavily. Allow the water in the saucer to reduce to ½ n inch and then flush well again.
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:
Use 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 if plants are planted in bark. Be sure to flush the mix with clear water only once per month to prevent fertilizer salt build up. For plants in moss or mounted on slabs feed every third or 4th watering as the moss holds a lot of nutrients 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 at any time of the year when the growth matures. The flowers are borne one after another on stems that are 18 inches to 2 feet in height. The flowers last about 3 weeks and the stem can produce several flowers from 5-6 inches in size colored in deep red or coral orange.
Repotting:
This plant can grow in a wide range of mixes from bark mixes to a semi hydro mix containing a medium grade diatomite. Repot after flowering or in the spring or fall months for best results. In bark mixes repot every year to year and a half. In diatomite simply pot in a larger pot and fill in with new diatomite. Water right away after repotting.
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, and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.
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