Mediocalcar decoratum is native to New Guinea. This orchid is very widespread on the island, both in Papua New Guinea and in Irian Jaya. It grows on trees in mountain forests at heights of 900-2000 m, but was found even at an altitude of 2500 m...
Mediocalcar decoratum also called as The Charming Mediocalcar, is a species of the genus Mediocalcar. This species was described by André Schuiteman in 1989.
IDENTIFY MEDIOCALCAR DECORATUM
Mediocalcar decoratum is native to New Guinea. This orchid is very widespread on the island, both in Papua New Guinea and in Irian Jaya. It grows on trees in mountain forests at heights of 900-2000 m, but was found even at an altitude of 2500 m. This orchid and other Mediocalcar genus are successfully grown in the Highland Orchid Collection in Laiagam, Papua New Guinea, lying at an altitude of 2200 m. It is also growing in Mt. Gahavisuka near Goroka in the Eastern Highlands.
It is a mini-miniature, mat-forming, warm to cold growing epiphytic species that has cylindrical to almost clavate pseudobulbs with 3 to 4 fleshy, linear-narrowly elliptic, subacute to obtuse, shortly petiolate leaves at the apex all in one plane like the blades of a helicopter.
The Charming Mediocalcar blooms with a very short, apical inflorescence on a new pseudobulb growth with a solitary bell shaped, long-lasting, candy-corn like flower occurring mostly in the fall, winter and spring. The flowers are up to 7 mm long. There is only one little flower on each inflorescence, but a well-grown plant can produce many flowers that open at the same time. These small flowers look like an orange, spherical funnel formed from the outer whorls flattened together almost on the entire length. The sharpened, yellow tip parts of the petals of both whorls bend outward and widen to form a delicate yellow flower on top of an orange ball.
MEDIOCALCAR DECORATUM 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:
Mediocalcar decoratum needs a light level of 15000-23000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight in the afternoon hours. It is wise to start with a low level of light and gradually move the plant into brighter places until the leaves have a purple tinge. Then a slight reduction in the level of light should ensure its optimal level. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
It is a plant with moderate thermal requirements. Similar throughout the year - average day temperatures on 23-24 ° C, average night temperatures 12-14 ° C, with an amplitude of daily fluctuations of 10-12 ° C.
Humidity:
The Charming Mediocalcar needs the humidity of about 70-75% for most of the year, at the end of winter and spring falling to about 65%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Mediocalcar decoratum can be grown in shallow containers with good drainage or on rootstocks of tree ferns. However, such plants require high humidity, and during hot and dry weather they may require several waterings during the day.
These plants can also be grown in shallow pots or baskets using a very loose, fast-drying substrate. You can use a mixture of bark and gravel and small, bulging pots. It should also be good to work with a medium graded bark or chopped tree fern fibers mixed with pieces of pearlite. Perlite helps keep the substrate cool and at the same time retains some moisture. The addition of charcoal also helps to maintain good air permeability of the substrate and protects it against acidification, and the addition of chopped sphagnum moss increases the retention of moisture, which can be a critical factor if the plants are grown in a dry place.
The plants should be repotted immediately after noticing signs of substrate decomposition, or every few years when the plant grows out of the pot. If repotting is done at the time when new roots begin to appear, the plant will be accepted and rooted in the shortest possible time.
Watering:
Rainfall is abundant throughout the year, with a 2-3 month drier winter period. The plants should be watered abundantly during periods of intensive growth, but excellent drainage and aeration should be ensured so that the ground around the roots is never spread or soggy. In late autumn, watering can be somewhat limited.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, the plants should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. You can use sustainable fertilizers throughout the year, but can also use fertilizer with an increased nitrogen content in the period from spring to mid-summer, and then in late summer and autumn fertilizer with an increased content of phosphorus.
Rest period:
In winter, Mediocalcar decoratum may need less water, especially if they grown under dark, short days, which occurs at moderate latitudes, but the plants should never be completely devoid of water. When the plant is not in the active growth period and receives less water, fertilization should be limited or completely discontinued.
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