Odontoglossum spectatissimum is found in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. It grows in dense upper montane cloud forests on trees at an altitude of 2300 to 2700 meters above sea level...
Odontoglossum spectatissimum also called as The Spectacular Odontoglossum, Odontoglossum spectatissimum var. cinctum, Odontoglossum triumphans, Odontoglossum triumphans var. cinctum, Oncidium spectatissimum, is a species of the genus Odontoglossum. This species was described by John Lindley in 1852.
IDENTIFY ODONTOGLOSSUM SPECTATISSIMUM
Odontoglossum spectatissimum is found in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. It grows in dense upper montane cloud forests on trees at an altitude of 2300 to 2700 meters above sea level.
It is a medium sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte with ovoid, laterally compressed, ancipitous, longitudinally rugose with age, up to 9 cm long pseudobulbs partially enveloped basally by 2 pairs of distichous, imbricating leaf-bearing sheaths and carrying 2, apical, petiolate, linear or ligulate, acute, up to 25 cm long, and 2.5 cm wide leaves.
The Spectacular Odontoglossum blooms in the spring on an arching, racemose or rarely paniculate, to 15 flowered inflorescence arising on a mature pseudobulb with small, ovate-cucullate, acute floral bracts and carrying large fragrant flowers. The flowers are yellow, in the shape of an asterisk, about 7 cm in diameter, intensely covered with brown spots. Tepals lanceolate, with pointed tips, while the petals are somewhat wider. The lip at the base is white, in the middle yellow, and closer to the edge is brown. From the base of the lip and approximately to its middle there is a growth in the form of bifurcated antennae. The column is about 2.2 cm long.
ODONTOGLOSSUM SPECTATISSIMUM 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:
Odontoglossum spectatissimum loves the bright sun without access to direct sunlight, so during the hot midday sun on the windows of the southern orientation and the hot evening sun on the western windows, the orchid should be placed behind a curtain (for example, on a table near the window) or in the shade of other plants.
Temperature:
This type of orchid refers to a moderate thermal requirements, and throughout the year these orchids are grown under the following conditions: October - February with 16-20 ° C in the daytime and 12 ° C at night; March - May with about 18 ° C during the day and not above 15 ° C at night. June - September with 20-22 ° C (maximum 25 ° C) in the daytime and 10-13 ° C at night. For the successful cultivation at home, it is necessary, as strictly as possible, to adhere to the above-mentioned schedule, since holding this temperature regime is the main prerequisite for the flowering of this type of orchids.
Humidity:
For normal growth and development the plant will be enough 60% in the daytime and 80-90% at night. Especially high humidity is welcomed in the summer. At lower rates, the growth of new shoots is inhibited, and the leaves of the orchid begin to wrinkle and turn yellow.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
In view of their fairly large size, Odontoglossum spectatissimum is grown mainly only in the substrate in small narrow pots or hanging wooden baskets. The substrate used must be very breathable, therefore it is recommended to use a mixture of a large bark of coniferous trees with foam, charcoal and sphagnum moss (no more than 20%).
Watering:
This orchid should be watered only when the substrate is almost completely dry. Excess water during watering should flow freely out of the pot, as the stagnation of water both inside the pot and in its pan can very quickly lead to decay of the roots and the lower part of the plant. It is strongly recommended to spray the outside of the plant every morning.
Fertilizer:
During the new growth period, this type of orchids is fertilized every 2-3 weeks in the usual fertilizer concentration indicated on the package.
Rest period:
Odontoglossum spectatissimum does not need a rest period to stimulate flowering. After flowering, the flower bud is removed, if necessary, the orchid is repotted and kept completely dry for some time. This is necessary to acclimatize the plant and to prevent rotting of the roots from the repot.
COMMENTS