Care Library

Welcome, Bombotanist! 😲

Care resources are arranged below, A to Z by genus.

This is a library of quick starter tips and links to a bunch of my favorite care guides for Bombotany's most popular plant varieties. Curated by yours truly! I even wrote a few of them myself.

Looking for one on one support? The chat bubble on your screen goes straight to me! I'll get back to you just as soon as I remember where the heck I put my phone.

✍️ Grant

Left Column Title

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This list is always a work in progress. If you have any suggestions to add, please shoot me a message!

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Aerangis

Aliceara – formerly Beallara

Angraecum

Anthurium – Bombotany guide coming soon!

Beallara – care is very similar to Oncidium

Brassia

Brassocattleya – Brassavola crossed with Cattleya

Brassavola

Bromeliad

Bulbophyllum

Burrageara – Oncidium Intergeneric

Camellia sinensis – Bombotany guide coming soon!

Cattleya

Coffee arabica

Dendrobium

Devil’s Ivy (Pothos, Epipremnum aureum)

Dracula

Epicattleya – Epidendrum crossed with Cattleya

Epicyclia

Epidendrum

Epilaeliocattleya

Juniper Bonsai (Juniper procumbens)

Laeliocattleya – Cattleya Alliance

Maxillaria

Miltassia – see Brassia; Miltonia

Miltonia

Bombotany Guide

Miltoniopsis

Bombotany Guide

Monstera adansonii

Odontocidium – Oncidium Alliance

Odontonia – Oncidium Alliance, Odontoglossum crossed with Milt./Mps.

Oncidium

Oncostelopsis – syn. Burrageara

Potinara – Cattleya Intergeneric

Procatavola – Cattleya Intergeneric

Psychopsis

Succulents

Vanda

Wilsonara – Oncidium Intergeneric

Zygopetalum

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American Camellia Society

Not just Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant)!

American Orchid Society

The ultimate resource for all things orchids

Bluenanta

Ancestry/progeny, etc background information – not specific to orchids

Bromeliad Society International

Learning resources and up-to-date conversations about Bromeliads

Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

The ultimate resource for species-specific information; scientific plant descriptions, identification photos and more

Orchid Roots

Non-profit organization dedicated to creating a tool that will help users search for and find the roots of their orchids

International Orchid Foundation

Coordinates with orchid societies in order to make learning about orchids easier. Has awesome indexes of orchids, genera, and just about everything orchid.

add - travaldo, herebutnot, https://web.archive.org/web/20230323103826/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/plant-registration-forms/list-of-orchid-genera-with-components.pdf

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Grant and the other green-thumbs at Bombotany are on stand-by to answer any questions you might have about your plants (no matter where you got them).

We don't stop caring when the package shows up on your porch. We’re here for you to make sure your plants thrive! Looking for more in-depth care information, specific tips, or diagnosis for an unhappy plant? Want to chat about honey bees? Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page or use the chat widget in the corner!

May 10, 2024

Juniper Bonsai Product Support

We’re Bombotany - an orchid, houseplant, and bonsai online retail store. This article is a quick-care sheet, primarily intended for those who just received one of our Juniper Bonsai in the mail. There’s plenty of info to gleam here for those that already have a tree, or are considering taking one home, too! Looking for a more thorough Juniper procumbens walkthrough? Check out our Complete Juniper Careguide, where we dive into the science, common misconceptions, what kind of tools are useful, and more...

Read entire article

A-Z

Aerangis biloba

Aerangis Rchb.f., 1865

_{Species orchid found in Madagascar and throughout tropical Africa}

Light

Prefers bright, indirect light; avoid direct sun; 1,500-2,500 footcandles

Water

Keep slightly damp but not soggy; water once roots dry and turn silvery-white

What else?

✧ Fragrant: Most species, in the evening, to attract pollinator moths
✧ Blooms: Spring through fall, sometimes twice per year; varies by species
✧ Humidity: Tropical climate orchid, best 60-80%
✧ Temperature: Intermediate to warm; wide range, varies by species 50-90°F
✧ Fertilizer: Typical orchid, balanced N-P-K; weakly, weekly
✧ Potting: Well-draining orchid mix (bark/perlite)
✧ Rest Period: Slight winter rest; reduce water, fertilizer, and temperature

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AOS overview + literature reference

Always check out the IOSE for species-specific information!

Aerides houlletania

Aerides Lour., 1790 ("Cat's Tail Orchid", "Fox Brush Orchid")

_{Species orchid found in lowlands across tropical Asia from India to southern China to New Guinea}

Light

Brightest possible indirect or filtered light; can take morning/partial sun; 2,500–3,000 footcandles

Water

Frequent but fast-drying; susceptible to rot; water when roots dry and turn silvery-white, sometimes daily or more

What else?

✧ Fragrant: Yes, often exceptionally
✧ Blooms: Spring through fall, sometimes for months on end; varies by species
✧ Humidity: Tropical climate orchid, best 60-80%; high airflow 80%+ ideal
✧ Temperature: Warm, best 70-85°F
✧ Fertilizer: Typical orchid, balanced N-P-K; weakly, weekly
✧ Potting: High aeration orchid mix; does well in baskets, mounted, and bare root
✧ Rest Period: Less frequent water during cool winter temperatures

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AOS overview + literature reference

Travaldo's Blog on "Grow and care Aerides orchids"

Always check out the IOSE for species-specific information!

A valuable discussion on the Orchid Board

Aliceara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' AM/AOS

Aliceara formerly Beallra

_{Intergeneric hybrid orchid}_{(Brassia × Miltonia × Oncidium)}

Light

Medium to bright, indirect or filtered light; avoid direct sun; 1,500–2,800 footcandles

Water

Moderate; "wrung-out sponge" consistent moisture during growing season; allow to approach dry before watering in winter

What else?

✧ Fragrant: Some varieties, but usually no
✧ Blooms: Spring, summer, varies by hybrid
✧ Humidity: Typical orchid, best 55-75%
✧ Temperature: Intermediate to cool, best 60-85°F
✧ Fertilizer: Typical orchid, balanced N-P-K; weakly, weekly
✧ Potting: Well-draining orchid mix (bark/perlite) or all moss
✧ Rest Period: Slight winter rest; reduce water, fertilizer, and temperature