Aliceara (Beallara) orchid care | Aliceara (Beallara) Marfitch 'Howard's Dream‘

Aliceara (Beallara) orchid care | Aliceara (Beallara) Marfitch 'Howard's Dream‘

Aliceara orchids are intergeneric hybrids that combine three orchid genera: Brassia, Miltonia, and Oncidium. This orchid is a cross between Bratonia Charles M. Fitch and Oncidium Fremar. Bratonia Charles M. Fitch is a hybrid of Brassia verrucosa and Miltonia moreliana. It should be noted that the nothogenus Aliceara was previously known as Beallara. This name will be used in most older articles and videos about this orchid.
This orchid won the American Orchid Society’s Award of Merit. It produces a spike of large, lightly fragrant star-shaped blossoms. The flowers are deep purple with white-rimmed, burgundy spots in the middle of the petals and lip. A sunny yellow glow lights up the center of the flower, and the lip sports an interesting water ripple pattern. The tall floral spikes produce up to a dozen blossoms, which open slowly one by one. This extends the blooming time to about three to four weeks, usually in the late autumn.
Aliceara orchids prefer light levels between those of Oncidium and Cattleya -- 50-70% shade cloth should be adequate if growing in a sunny window. It grows best in bright indirect light. This orchid can tolerate direct morning sun, but should be protected in the afternoon especially in summer. 60 to 85F (15-30) is the preferred temperature range for these orchids.They can tolerate more extreme temperatures for small periods of times. This especially applies to cooler nightime temperatures in winter, which they require to bloom. They can not tolerate frost. These orchids prefer to be kept moist throughout the growing season but have a drier, cooler rest period in winter. Water as the media approaches dryness, and hold back on watering a bit during the later fall and winter until new shoots appear. Fertilize frequently at low doses during their growing season. Switching to bloom-promoting fertilizer in mid summer can be helpful for developing flower spikes. About humidity, 55-75% is ideal. Water-filled gravel trays or misting can be used to increase the humidity in summertime. We use a humidifier in winter to keep the air moist. Good air movement is crucial when humidity is high -- it minimizes fungal and bacterial diseases. Aliceara orchids have finer roots and prefer a fine bark media with some sphagnum for moisture retention. It prefers to be in a smaller pot, and should be repotted biennially. They can also be mounted.

[tuaefu]

Thanks for your video. I just bought this and looking for best way to care for it. Can you comment on what is best used to repot this pls. Thanks.

[Winterheart]

Thank you for your orchid videos. I love how you narrate all these information. How often does it bloom per year?

[yvonnerickett]

Thanks so much for this video. What is that beautiful plant with orange and green leaves, behind the orchid ?