Prosthechea cochleata is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, the Caribbean and Florida. In Mexico, these plants grow on mountain slopes facing the Atlantic Ocean...
Prosthechea cochleata also called as Clamshell Orchid, Cockleshell Orchid, Octopus Orchid, Black Orchid, Aulizeum cochleatum, Encyclia cochleata, Encyclia lancifolia, Epidendrum cochleatum, Epidendrum cochleatum var. costaricense, Epidendrum cochleatum var. grandiflorum, Epidendrum cochleatum var. pallidum, Epidendrum lancifolium, Hormidium cochleatum, Phaedrosanthus cochleatus, Anacheilium cochleata, is a species of the genus Prosthechea. This species was described by Wesley Ervin Higgins in 1997.
IDENTIFY PROSTHECHEA COCHLEATA
Prosthechea cochleata is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, the Caribbean and Florida. In Mexico, these plants grow on mountain slopes facing the Atlantic Ocean, in the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Hildalgo, Oaxaca, Pueblo, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potos', Tabasco, Tamaulipas and Veracruz. They are found in rare forests and glades, in various types of forests, such as tropical forests with leaf-dropping trees, evergreen and oak forests. The range of natural habitat heights ranges from sea level up to 2000 m. However, they usually grow at heights near the middle of this range and in most areas of Central America they meet at 300-1300 m. In Venezuela, they were seen in open forests above Pie del Cerro near La Victoria at an altitude of approx. 1520 m and in rain forests along the road to Choron at an altitude of about 1370 m. In Puerto Rico this orchid is widely spread and popular. It grows there both in shady and sunny places, in forests from almost dry to humid, at heights of 200-900 m. In the Virgin Islands, however, they will meet only on the island of St. Croix.
Clamshell Orchid is a medium sized epiphyte, which reaching 25-59 cm in height, with smooth, ovoid to oblong-elliptic, compressed, 5.5-26,0 cm long and 2-5 cm wide pseudobulbs partially enveloped basally by several, imbricate, scarious sheaths with 2 to 3, apical, elliptic, acute, gradually narrowing below, basally clasping, 20-33 cm long and 3-5 cm wide leaves.
Cockleshell Orchid can bloom for 6 months starting in the spring with an apical, erect, short to 37.5 cm, few to many flowered, racemose inflorescence with a basal sheath that has successive opening, non-fragrant flowers. The flowers are up to 9 cm long, with a conch-shaped lip at the top. They are very variable in size and degree of flare. The color of flowers is also slightly variable, but the petals of both whorls are usually greenish-yellow with purple dots at the base. The upper part of the lip is mostly deep dark purple (almost purple-black) with yellow-green stripes. The white base of the lip has clearly visible, radially diverging purple veins and 2 yellow thicknesses at the base of the disc. The spine is green with purple dots.
PROSTHECHEA COCHLEATA 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:
Prosthechea cochleata needs a light level of 25000-35000 lux. The light should be filtered and dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed to the direct sunlight of the midday sun. Strong, constant air movement is very important for the health of the plant.
Temperature:
It is a thermophilic plant. The average summer temperature is 27 ° C at night, 16-17 ° C at night, with a daily amplitude of 11 ° C. In spring, the average day temperature is 27-29 ° C, night 15-17 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 13 ° C. The average winter temperature is 22-23 ° C during the day and 11-12 ° C at night, giving a diurnal difference of 11-12 ° C.
Humidity:
Black Orchid needs the humidity of probably around 80-85% for most of the year.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Prosthechea cochleata are usually grown in pots or baskets with a very thick, loose and well-permeable substrate. In pots there should be plenty of free space that allows roots to dry quickly after watering. Small pots are recommended for one or two-year growth only, as the substrate in larger pots stays wet for too long after watering. Roots that do not dry up quickly after watering are subject to rot. It is recommend the use of medium grain bark, although you can also use medium cork pieces mixed with large lumps of charcoal.
These plants also grow well mounted on tree-fern rootstocks or cork, provided, however, ensure high humidity. Fixed plants require high humidity and at least daily watering in the summer, in the case of dry and hot weather, it may be necessary to water several times a day.
Repotting or dividing is best done when new roots start growing or immediately after flowering. This allows plants to acclimatize in a relatively short time and provides them with the least stress.
Watering:
From the end of spring until autumn, the precipitation is moderate to heavy, but their number drops significantly from the end of autumn until the next spring. The cultivated plants should be strongly watered during active growth, but the roots must always dry quickly between watering. The substrate around the roots can never be desiccated or soggy. When new growths reach maturity in the autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
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 fertilizer throughout the year. From spring to mid-summer, you can also use fertilizer enriched with nitrogen, then switching to phosphorus-enriched fertilizer in late summer and autumn. A higher dose of phosphate improves flowering in the next season and delays the growth of new growths as a result of which the plant strengthens before the onset of winter.
Rest period:
Prosthechea cochleata grown in cold conditions in winter should be kept relatively dry. Occasional fogging between occasional watering should be enough in most areas. The plants grown in warmer conditions in winter need more water. They should dry somewhat between waterings, but they should not be dry for a longer period. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins.
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