Trichopilia suavis is native to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. In Panama, they meet the region bordering Costa Rica. They grow on the slopes of the Chiriqui volcano on moss-covered trees at elevations 1150-1700 m...
Trichopilia suavis also called as The Soft Trichopilia, Trichopilia kienastiana, is a species of the genus Trichopilia. This species was described by John Lindley & Joseph Paxton in 1850.
IDENTIFY TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS
Trichopilia suavis is native to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. In Panama, they meet the region bordering Costa Rica. They grow on the slopes of the Chiriqui volcano on moss-covered trees at elevations 1150-1700 m.
It is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphytic species, which reaching 12-43 cm in height, with fairly round, fleshy, compressed, 3.5-8.0 cm long and 2.5-6.0 cm wide pseudobulbs enveloped basally by several, papery, imbricating sheaths and carrying a single apical, broadly elliptic-lanceolate, pointed, coriaceous yet flexible, erect or curved, abruptly narrows below into an elongate conduplicate petiolate base, 5-38 cm long and 3.5-8.0 cm wide leaf.
The Soft Trichopilia have a basal inflorescence arising on a newly formed pseudobulb that is pendulous or curved, short, with 2-5 long-lasting, large, fragrant flowers that occur in the late winter to early spring. The varied color flowers have a diameter of up to 10 cm. The long, narrow, widely spread petals of both whorls usually have undulating edges. The inner whorls are usually slightly shorter and wider than the petals of the outer whorl. They are white or creamy-white and sometimes have pale pink or red spots. A very large, three-flute trumpet-shaped lip has side plots rolled in the shape of a tube around the prone and a wide open part of the petal with strongly undulating or curled edges. Intensely pink-speckled lip is also white or creamy white. The throat of the tube is usually speckled in yellow or orange, but sometimes has red spots.
TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Trichopilia suavis needs a light level of 12000-20000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should never be exposed to direct sunlight. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time, especially in the case of the plants grown in lighter conditions, because their quite thick leaves are susceptible to burns.
Temperature:
It is a plant with moderate thermal requirements. The average temperature of the day in summer is 22 ° C, night 13 ° C, and the amplitude of daily fluctuations is 9 ° C. The average winter temperature is 22-25 ° C during the day and 11-12 ° C at night, giving a daily difference of 11-14 ° C.
Humidity:
The Soft Trichopilia needs the humidity of 85-90% for most of the year, with a fall to 65-70% in late winter.
Substrate, growing media:
Trichopilia suavis grow well attached to pieces of tree ferns or cork, with high humidity ensured and daily watering during the summer. During the dry and hot periods it may be necessary to water several times a day.
They can also grow in pots with a loose substrate, quickly draining excess water, which, however, contains substances that retain a certain amount, such as cut sphagnum moss or perlite. Wood charcoal is also often added to ensure the air permeability of the substrate and protection against acidification.
Repotting:
The plants should be replanted before the substrate begins to be less permeable. The most appropriate time of the year for repotting is the end of winter preceding flowering, as flowers and new growths appear almost at the same time. Therefore, the plants should be repotted when new roots start growing or only a little earlier. This allows the plants to acclimatize in a relatively short time and provides them with the least stress. This is very important, because the plants must acclimate to the additional stress caused by the approaching hot, dry, summer weather.
Watering:
Precipitation is intense all year round, but at the end of winter there is a relatively short dry season. From the end of spring to autumn, Trichopilia suavis should be moist, with only slight drying of the substrate between subsequent waterings. When new growths reach maturity in late autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, the plant should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. At the beginning of the year, when new growths appear and intensively develop, you can use a fertilizer with an increased nitrogen content, then in late summer and autumn the plants should be fed a fertilizer with an increased content of phosphorus in order to initiate flowering and facilitate the maturation of young growth.
Rest period:
In winter, for a period of 1-2 months, Trichopilia suavis need less water. They should dry somewhat between waterings, but should not be dry for a longer period. The plant should be supplied with the amount of water that will prevent the pseudobulbs from wrinkling. Fertilization should be limited or should be completely abandoned until new growths appear.
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