Ancistrochilus rothschildianus is native to the African tropics. The range of this orchid includes the western part of equatorial Africa and extends from Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria...
Ancistrochilus rothschildianus also called as Rothschild's Ancistrochilus, Ancistrochilus thomsonianus var. gentilii, Ancistrochilus hirsutissimus, Pachystoma rothschildiana, is a species of the genus Ancistrochilus. This species was described by O'Brien in 1907.
IDENTIFY ANCISTROCHILUS ROTHSCHILDIANUS
Ancistrochilus rothschildianus is native to the African tropics. The range of this orchid includes the western part of equatorial Africa and extends from Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria. It is a rare epiphytic orchid of rainforests, usually growing at moderate heights near the coast. However, it is sometimes found inland, where its habitat extends eastward into the rainforests of central Uganda.
It is a small to medium sized epiphyte, which reaching 15-35 cm in height, with clustered, conical or pyriform, up to 5 cm in diameter pseudobulbs with 2 apical, lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate or oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, broad, thin textured, 10-40 cm long leaves.
Rothschild's Ancistrochilus blooms in the winter, summer and fall on a basal, arching, 5-8 cm long, pubescent inflorescence, from the base of the leafed or leafless pseudobulb and can carry 2 to 5, large, fragrant flowers. The flowers are 5 cm in diameter. The petals of inner and outer whorls are white, lilac or dark pink. The sharp central tip of the lip is strongly purple with five dark pink stripes, while the side plots and the rod are greenish-cream with brown spots.
ANCISTROCHILUS ROTHSCHILDIANUS 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:
Ancistrochilus rothschildianus needs a light level of 18000-25000 lux. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
It is a thermophilic plant. Throughout the year, the average temperature during the day is 23-27 ° C, at night 17-18 ° C, which gives a daily difference of 5-10 ° C.
Humidity:
Rothschild's Ancistrochilus needs the humidity of 85-90% from summer to autumn, decreases to 75-80% during winter and spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
It is recommended to use as a substrate a mixture of fine pine bark with the addition of approx. 10% charcoal and 10% perlite. Long rhizomes have a tendency to grow, therefore baskets, flat dishes or pots for bulb plants should be used as containers. This is especially important when growing a large, proliferated plant. The small depth of the container allows for quick drying, so the substrate will not thicken or break down. To improve the drainage, the containers are usually filled halfway with medium or large pieces of bark. After placing the plant in place, the container is completed with a fine bark or a mixture described earlier.
Watering:
During the period of active growth, Ancistrochilus rothschildianus should be kept moist and not allowed to dry completely between waterings. However, when new growths reach maturity in the 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. A fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is beneficial from spring to mid-summer, and a fertilizer richer in phosphorus should be used in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
In the 3-month winter period, the amount of water supplied to Ancistrochilus rothschildianus should be limited, but not eliminated completely. Then, between waterings, the plants should be allowed to dry almost completely. Regular watering begins in the spring when new growths appear. After the leaves have fallen, a completely dry resting period at 12 ° C is necessary. During dormancy, fertilization should be reduced or even completely eliminated and restarted in the spring.
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