Polystachya pubescens is native to South Africa. These plants are quite popular on sandstone pits, where in the shallow depressions the remains of decomposed leaves and soil gather, and on trees where they can be completely exposed to the sun, as well as in more shady places...
Polystachya pubescens also called as The Fine-Haired Polystachya, Dendrorchis pubescens, Epiphora pubescens, Lissochilus sylvaticus, Polystachya lindleyana, is a species of the genus Polystachya. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1863.
IDENTIFY POLYSTACHYA PUBESCENS
Polystachya pubescens is native to South Africa. These plants are quite popular on sandstone pits, where in the shallow depressions the remains of decomposed leaves and soil gather, and on trees where they can be completely exposed to the sun, as well as in more shady places. They meet near the coast near Port Elizabeth in the eastern province of Cape to Durban in Natal, in the north. In addition, they are found further in forests inland, at heights of 900 m, from Swaziland to Louis Trichard in northern Transvaal.
It is a small sized epiphytic or sometimes lithophytic, cool to cold growing species, which reaching a height of 10-16 cm, with clustered, narrowly conical-pyriform, 2-6 cm tall and 1.0-1.5 cm wide pseudobulbs carrying 2 to 3 apical, ligulate, unequally bilobed apically, 5-10 cm long and 1.0-2.3 cm wide leaves that are articulated to the basal leaf sheaths.
The Fine-Haired Polystachya blooms on an erect, apical, 24 cm long, racemose, pubescent, 7 to 12 flowered inflorescence, that is longer than the leaves, arising on a mature pseudobulb, with successively opening flowers occurring in the fall through winter. The flowers open gradually over a period of several months, but usually on the inflorescence there are simultaneously open flowers. The flowers are about 2 cm in diameter and are so inverted that the dorsal petal is directed downwards. They are bright golden-yellow, and the lip and lower half of the outer petals have contrasting red or red-brown stripes.
POLYSTACHYA PUBESCENS 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:
Polystachya pubescens needs a light level of 30000-40000 lux. The light should be slightly filtered or scattered, but the southern sun should be avoided. You needs to ensure constant, strong air movement.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 25-26 ° C, night 18-19 ° C, which gives a daily difference of 7 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 21 ° C, the night 9-11 ° C, giving a daily difference of 10-11 ° C.
Humidity:
The Fine-Haired Polystachya needs the humidity of 70-75% for most of the year, and drops to almost 65% for 2-3 winter months.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Polystachya pubescens are usually grown in small pots or baskets filled with loose, quickly drying ground that retains some moisture after watering. Many growers successfully use bark-based mixtures. These plants can also be grown firmly attached to tree fern washers. If the plants are mounted, then it is necessary to ensure high humidity, and in the summer watering at least once a day. In case of exceptionally hot, dry weather, it may be necessary to water several times a day. Repotting, mounting or dividing should be done when new roots begin to grow.
Watering:
Precipitation is low to moderate throughout the year, with slightly drier winter. The cultivated plants should often be watered during active growth, but excellent drainage should be ensured, and the substrate around the roots can never be soggy or damp.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to apply a 1/4-1/2 dose of orchid fertilizer weekly. You can use balanced fertilizer, but can also use high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to mid-summer and then high phosphorus fertilizer until autumn.
Rest period:
In winter, the amount of water for Polystachya pubescens should be reduced, and allowing them to dry somewhat between watering. However, they can not remain without water for a longer period. Occasional morning fogging between waterings should protect plants from excessive drying.
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