Beallara Orchids (Bllra) are a fairly hardy orchid, recently reclassified as Aliceara. Increasingly popular in Australia they are easy care and have very attractive flowers.
They will grow well under similar conditions to Oncidium Orchids and are a part of the oncidium alliance.
How To Grow Beallara Orchids
Growing Medium:
A medium to fine bark with 25% perlite works well. You will need to adjust the mix according to your climate/growing conditions and your own watering habit.
Light:
Try for a position where the plant gets 3 hours of early morning sun, and then bright indirect or filtered light is best. Hot direct afternoon sun will quickly burn the leaves.
Growing in a greenhouse try for a 50% shade cloth.
Temperature Range :
Intermediate-warm (13C (55F) over night is ideal 30C (90F) daytime is around the maximum daytime temperature. The temperature drop overnight is important a 15C drop is recommended for good flowering.
Watering:
They like a moist growing medium, never wet and soggy but never allowed to dry completely. A good indication of under watering is when the pseudo bulbs start to wrinkle slightly.
Humidity:
This is is not crucial Beallara orchids will tolerate low humidity aim for 30-60%
Fertiliser:
Regular fertiliser is best, however the amount changes through the year.
In spring, a 1/4 to 1/2 strength fertiliser 14 days should be suitable. In winter lower the strength to around 1/8 and apply once a month.
Repotting Beallara Orchids
Every two years is usual, do not overpot and the best time to repot is immediately after flowering. Ensure you use a pot with good drainage holes.
Did You Know?
Beallara are complex hybrids of four genera. Odontoglossum and Cochlioda are the species that give the plant its frilly flowers while Miltonia and Brassia give them the characteristics that make them temperature tolerant.
