Plectrelminthus caudatus is widespread through West Africa. It grow as epiphytes on large trees and branches in forests, but in positions where they receive strong light.
Plectrelminthus caudatus also called as The Long-Sepaled Plectrelminthus, Angorchis caudata, Angraecum caudatum, Leptocentrum caudatum, Listrostachys caudata, Plectrominthus bicolor, Plectrelminthus caudatus var. trilobatus, is a species of the genus Plectrelminthus. This species was described by Victor Samuel Summerhayes in 1949.
IDENTIFY PLECTRELMINTHUS CAUDATUS ORCHID PLANT
Plectrelminthus caudatus is widespread through West Africa. It grow as epiphytes on large trees and branches in forests, but in positions where they receive strong light.
It is a small to medium sized, warm to hot growing, monopodial epiphyte with a leafy stem to 15 cm long carrying several, distichous, close set, broadly strap shaped, unequally and obtusely bilobed apically, 10-30 cm long and 1.5-3.5 cm wide leaves.
The Long-Sepaled Plectrelminthus bloom in the late winter and spring from a arcuate, 60 cm long, several flowered raceme of upside down, scented blooms. The rather cup-shaped flowers have yellow-green sepals and petals that may sometimes be flushed with bronze. The lip is white.
PLECTRELMINTHUS CAUDATUS 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:
Plectrelminthus caudatus needs a light level of 20000-30000 lux. Light should be filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperature:
Summer days temperature at average 29-30°C, and nights temperature at average 20°C, with a diurnal range of 9-10°C.
Humidity:
The Long-Sepaled Plectrelminthus need the humidity of 80–85% most of the year, dropping to near 75% for about 2 months in late winter and early spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Plectrelminthus caudatus is probably best grown in a basket that is filled with a very open, fast-draining medium that has excellent drainage, is well aerated, and allows the medium to dry fairly rapidly after watering.
Growers generally use medium-sized fir bark or shredded tree-fern fiber and add varying amounts of chunky perlite and/or chopped sphagnum moss to keep the medium open and retain some moisture. Including charcoal in the mix also holds the medium open and prevents souring in the pot.
Repotting should be done just as new roots start to grow. This enables the plant to become reestablished in the shortest possible time.
Watering:
Rainfall in the habitat is heavy most of the year, with 2–3 rather dry months in winter. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing. Water should be reduced somewhat in late autumn.
Fertilizer:
1/4–1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. You can use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but also can use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days temperature at average 27-28°C, and nights average 18-19°C, with a diurnal range of 9-10°C. Growers report that plants will grow a few degrees cooler in intermediate conditions, but seem to grow better under warmer conditions. Plectrelminthus caudatus plants need less in winter, but they should never dry out completely or remain without water for long periods. In most growing areas, somewhat regular early-morning mistings between occasional light waterings should provide the dry rest without letting the plant become too dry. Fertilizer should be reduced or eliminated when water is reduced.
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