Den. Bonnie Riley

[jaminkw]

I'm a fairly good grower with more than a dozen orchids of different varieties blooming right now. I'm stumped by my Den. Bonnie Riley (Den. farmeri x Den. chrysotoxum). I've had it for years. It doesn't keep leaves for very long let alone bloom, but it doesn't die either! I'm trying to find the culture for it with no luck beyond it should grow well with Cats. Mine doesn't! One website divides Dens into three categories: Nobile, New Guinea and Australia. The "chrysotoxum" aspect comes from S China, NE India and the Indochinese peninsula. Depending on where Bonnie Riley hails from may offer the answer to my problem--Key West is too hot in the summer and even in winter not cool enough at night? Anyone have one? Can I summer it in the AC in the house in a bright window? Help would be appreciated.

[cb977]

According to Orchidwiz:

Den. Bonnie Riley is composed of species of which 100% take high light. Grow this hybrid in bright indirect light conditions.

Den. Bonnie Riley is composed of species of which 100% take intermediate temperatures, 100% take hot temperatures and 50% take cool temperatures. Grow this hybrid in cool to hot conditions, or 58°F to 85°F at night.

50%-60% humidity. Keep moist in the Spring-Summer, when plant is in active growth. Grow in a pot with porous, free-draining media. The pot should be small for plant size. Fertilize weekly, weakly (one quarter to half the normal dose). Reduce water/feeding during the cooler months. Common media: fir bark, coconut chunks.

I hope I've helped you
Let us know how it goes

[justatypn]

WooHoo...that's it in a nutshell. Great advise Sue...

[jaminkw]

Thanks. Your advice about handling in the winter agrees with that I received from another board. I'm guessing that's my problem--not holding back water and fertilizer in the winter. Makes sense since it's Spring and I recently changed my watering system (reducing) because of molds and I've got two leaves again. I have a Dosamatic and have been using a single watering schedule that makes the greatest number of orchids happy. I'll try to give my Bonnie Riley more individual attention (careful watering and weaker fertilizer) and report back. I also travel a lot and that's another variable to work in but I'll take it with me if I have to! Thanks again.

[Rhonda_in_FL]

Actually, I know Bonnie Riley, very nice lady. She lives in Homestead, so I expect you'll want to duplicate those type of conditions. I was at their place this weekend and they have a magnificent set up--and grow almost anything beautifully.

Bob Fuchs made that cross in 2003.

[jaminkw]

Fascinating. I didn't think of someone actualdly knowing the namesake of my orchid! I've gotten feedback from several growers and it appears I've not been withholding water and fertilizer during a winter "rest" period. I'm looking forward to keeping it alive over the summer to try what I've learned next winter. Thanks again for the interesting info.