Chondroscaphe bicolor occurs in Costa Rica and Panama, where the orchid grows epiphytic in trees in premontane wet forests at an altitude of 750 to 1000 meters above sea level...
Chondroscaphe bicolor also called as The Two-Colored Chondrorhyncha, Chondrorhyncha bicolor, Chondrorhyncha endresii, is a species of the genus Chondroscaphe. This species was described by Robert Louis Dressler in 2001.
IDENTIFY CHONDROSCAPHE BICOLOR ORCHID PLANT
Chondroscaphe bicolor occurs in Costa Rica and Panama, where the orchid grows epiphytic in trees in premontane wet forests at an altitude of 750 to 1000 meters above sea level.
It is a small sized, warm to cool growing epiphytic orchid with a short stem enveloped completely by imbricate leafbearing, strongly conduplicate-ancipitous sheaths and carrying 3 to 7, oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate-ligulate, acuminate basally, conduplicate, 18-25 cm in length and 1-1.2 cm in width leaves.
The Two-Colored Chondrorhyncha blooms in the spring and fall on an axillary, short to 8 cm long, single flowered inflorescence with in pairs a infundibular, ovate, acute, outer floral bract and an inner elliptic-lanceolate one that holds the flower below the leaves. The flowers are creamy-white, fragrant (the smell is cinnamon, not very strong). Upper sepals lanceolate, arched, with pointed tip, about 2-2.2 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Lateral sepals are asymmetric-lanceolate, with pointed tips, measuring 2.8-3 cm long and 1-1.2 cm long. Petals are also lanceolate, with sharp tips, 2/3 at the edge, covered with denticles, measuring 2.2-2.5 cm in length and 1.2-1.4 cm in width. The lip is triple, broad, almost round, measuring 2.6 to 3 cm in diameter, its upper part grows directly upward, but the column is not closed, and the front part very strongly bends downward, often forming a nearly right angle with the column, slightly is cut by denticles. In the middle of the lips there are two small purple build-ups. The column is short, slightly arched, measuring 1.2-1.4 cm in length.
CHONDROSCAPHE BICOLOR ORCHID PLANT 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:
Chondroscaphe bicolor is grow in bright scattered light. The ideal location is considered to be the south-east and east orientation windows, however, if there are none in the apartment, then you can use western or very bright northern windows. If the western or southern windows were chosen for the location of the plant, then during the period from May to early September, the orchid should be protected from the influence of too bright day and evening sun - put behind a curtain (for example, on a table near a window) or into the shade of other plants.
Temperature:
This type of orchid refers to a moderately warm temperature regime, and throughout the year orchids are grown under the following conditions: Day temperature at 18-25 ° C (maximum 30 ° C); Night temperature not below 15 ° C. For the successful cultivation at home, it is necessary that the night temperature of the content is always 3-5 ° C lower than the daytime temperature.
Humidity:
The Two-Colored Chondrorhyncha needs relatively high humidity, not less than 60%, ideally 75-80%. Too dry air adversely affects the development of the plant and its growth is inhibited, and the leaves turn black and dry up. The higher temperature, the higher must be the humidity of the air, and the higher the humidity of the air, the more often and longer it is necessary to ventilate the room where the orchids are kept, otherwise there is a high probability of decay and appearance on the leaves of various fungal diseases.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Chondroscaphe bicolor is grown only in pots. As a substrate, it is recommended to use a mixture of bark of coniferous trees with the addition of chopped fern, sphagnum moss and dry leaves.
It is recommended to repotting this orchid only when it is really necessary. For example, in cases of severe salinization or compaction of the substrate, too high or low its pH (norm from 5.5 to 6.5), or when the orchid grows very much and the pot becomes too small. The best time for transplant is the period immediately after flowering and until the moment when new sprouts begin to build up their own roots.
Watering:
Watering this kind of orchids directly depends on the total temperature of the content, the higher it is, the more often and abundant it will be necessary to water. When watering orchids in pots, it is necessary to remember that excess water during watering should flow freely out of the pot, as the stagnation of water both inside the pot and in its pallet can very quickly lead to rotting of the roots and the lower part of the plant. The substrate between the irrigations should dry relatively well, but do not dry out completely, i.e. always be in a slightly moistened state.
Fertilizer:
Throughout the year, this type of orchids is fertilized every 2-3 weeks in 1/4 of the concentration of fertilizer indicated on the package. In addition to the usual root top dressing, it is also recommended to produce a foliar dressing, when a very much diluted fertilizer is sprayed on the outer part of the plant. It is best to feed the orchid, alternating both these methods. At the beginning of the growing season (the appearance of new shoots) it is recommended to use fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content, and when the new sprout reaches 1/2 of its normal size - a fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus.
Rest period:
Chondroscaphe bicolor does not needs any period of rest, neither in winter nor for stimulation of flowering. After flowering, the flower stem is removed, if necessary, the orchid is transplanted and kept relatively dry for some time. This is necessary to acclimatize the plant and to prevent rotting of the roots from the transplant.
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