Culture Advice for Ascocentrum Miniatum

[joel3515]

Hi Everyone:-))

I suppose I should introduce myself! My name is Joel, and I live in Toowoomba, Queensland Australia. I caught the orchid bug when I was a kid and have been mad about them ever since! Due to space/cultural restraints, I grow my collection of plants in a home made indoor orchidarium. To this point, I have avoided the higher light species, not thinking I will be able to meet their requirements. I have had great success with paphs, phals, angraecoids and other miniature species. But when I saw a beautiful Ascocentrum Miniatum on display, I bought it instantly, forgetting all the restrictions that have stopped me in the past:-( For those of you who grow ascocentrums, I was hoping you could give me some advice on keeping this poor little guy alive! I currently grow my plants under 6 T8 5000K fluorescent grow lights, and I have placed the Miniatum within 4 inches of the bulbs. The lights are in an enclosed section above the growing area, to reduce heat exposure to the plants. This was a necessity, as the case reaches 33 degrees celsius during the warmer months. The lights are on for 16hrs during the summer months, reducing to 14hrs in winter. Am I living in denial thinking this will be adequate light to keep this plant happy? Any advice you could give me would be really appreciated:-))

Cheers,

Joel.