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Odontoglossums.
Light
Odontoglossums grow under fairly low light
levels; in the home, for instance, they do best
In a North or North-East facing window. However,
do not place them in the middle of the room as
they need to be close to a certain amount of
light to do well.
In the greenhouse, they need shade from late
February until the end of September.
Shade-netting, like Rokolene 60%, should be
fastened to the outside of the greenhouse.
From late April until mid-August, this should be
doubled.
We do not recommend putting Odontoglossums
outside during summer because of the risk of
wind and sun damage to the leaves.
Feeding
Most Odontoglossum hybrids grow continuously,
all the year round and so feeding should match.
From February until August, feed with high
nitrogen (20:10:10), using it at half strength
at every second watering. From September until
February, feed with high potash (4:4:8), using
it at half strength at every second watering.
Occasionally a foliar feed such as Maxicrop can
be used as a tonic.
Watering and Humidity
Water every 5-7 days, all the year round if they
are being grown as house plants.
In the greenhouse, water every 4-7 days from the
end of February until September, depending on
weather conditions.
During October and November when not much heat
is needed and light is reduced, they may go 10-
14 days between waterings.
From December until the end of February when
heating is on, you will need to water every 7-10
days.
The ideal humidity is between 60%-70%, but do
not worry if this falls in summer while the
ventilators are open. This can be remedied by
floor damping in the early evening.
Temperature
Odontoglossums are cool growing orchids from the
high Andes and need a minimum night temperature
of 52°F (11"C). This should rise in the daytime
by 10°F (5°C) during Autumn and Winter, and by
20°F (10 C) during Spring and Summer.
Temperatures a little outside these extremes can
be tolerated, Ventilation should be used from
March to September. Odontoglossums love fresh,
airy conditions and we find it is a good idea to
install a circulating fan, running all the time.
Flowering Most Odontoglossums flower once each
year when mature, the blooms lasting six weeks
or more. The main flowering time used to be late
winter and spring, but modern breeding has given
us plants in flower at any time of the year.
Potting
Repotting is best carried out from January to
June or late August to early October. The timing
depends on the young shoot being between I" and
3" in height.
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