Prosthechea radiata is native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. In Mexico, these plants are found in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potos, Tabasco and Veracruz...
Prosthechea radiata also called as The Lined Petal Orchid, Encyclia radiata, Epidendrum marginatum, Epidendrum radiatum, Anacheilium radiatum, is a species of the genus Prosthechea. This species was described by Wesley Ervin Higgins in 1997.
IDENTIFY PROSTHECHEA RADIATA
Prosthechea radiata is native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. In Mexico, these plants are found in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potos, Tabasco and Veracruz. In Guatemala, they are found in the northeastern region of Petén, and also met in the ruins of Tikal. They are found in oak, oak and pine, or evergreen tropical forests, at heights of 150-2000 m.
It is a small to medium sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte, which reaching 21-46 cm in height, with ellipsoid to elliptic-ovoid, slightly compressed, grooved, 7-11 cm long and 2-5 cm wide pseudobulbs partially enveloped basally by a few scarious sheaths carrying 2 to 4, towards the apex, lanceolate-elliptic, obtuse or broadly acute, 12-35 cm long and 1.4-3.0 cm wide leaves.
The Lined Petal Orchid blooms in the fall, winter and spring on an apical, short to 10 cm, 4 to 12 flowered inflorescence with non-resupinate, fragrant, heavy textured, cockleshell flowers. The flowers are magnificent, about 3 cm in diameter, the petals of both whorls are creamy, and the lip directed towards the top has purple streaks. The lip of the lip is described as variable, triangular or renal, with a square or heart-shaped base, its edges are slightly wavy and more or less nicked in the middle of the apex. The thickening at the base of the lip is smooth. It is distinguishable by the teeth in the middle of the rod, which is frayed at the apex. It also has a slit at the rounded top of the lip.
PROSTHECHEA RADIATA 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 radiata needs a light level of 25000-35000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed directly to the sun in the afternoon hours. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
It is a plant with moderate thermal requirements. In summer the average day temperature is 21-25 ° C, at night 13 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 8-11 ° C. In winter, the average day temperature is 21-23 ° C, the night 7-8 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 14-15 ° C.
Humidity:
The Lined Petal Orchid needs the average humidity in the summer and at the beginning of autumn of 70-75%, but then in autumn and winter it gradually decreases to almost 50% at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Prosthechea radiata are usually grown in pots or baskets filled with a very thick, loose, quickly drying base, allowing the roots to dry quickly after watering. It is recommended that smaller pots are sufficient for 1-2 years growth, because the substrate in larger pots is too wet for too long after watering and does not allow for quick root drying. Continuous contact of roots with water can lead to their rotting. 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 can also be mounted on tree-trunks or cork, but they should be provided with high humidity and during the summer they must be watered at least once a day. In the period of extremely hot and dry weather, attached plants may require even several waterings during the day.
Repotting or dividing should be done when new roots begin to grow, allowing the plant to quickly root in the shortest possible time and with minimal stress.
Watering:
From the end of spring until autumn, the precipitation is abundant, but their amount then drops dramatically from the end of autumn to the next spring. The cultivated plants should often be watered during active growth, but excellent drainage should be ensured, and the roots must dry fast after 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 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 balanced fertilizer throughout the year, but you can also use fertilizer with increased nitrogen content from spring to mid summer, and then in the late summer and autumn, use a fertilizer with a higher content of phosphorus.
Rest period:
Prosthechea radiata grown in cold conditions should be kept relatively dry in winter, with occasional fogging between rare watering. However, those grown in warmer conditions need more water and a clear drying between watering. However, you must not allow that they stay dry for a long time. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins.
I have one of these growing on an Ohia tree here on Hawaii Island. We live on the wet, windward side at about 380 feet elevation. We receive around 140 inches rain per year, more or less evenly distributed. Temps run 65-70° nights abd upper 70s to mid 80s year around with average day/night humidity running right at 70%. The orchid has been fine with this for 30 years, putting out about 750 flowers this year. Blooms start late June and run through mid Sept before the last of them fade.
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