Polystachya fallax is found in Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire. This orchid grow in montane rainforests at elevations of 1350 to 1600 meters.
Polystachya fallax also called as The Deceiving Polystachya, is a species of the genus Polystachya. This species was described by Friedrich Fritz Wilhelm Ludwig Kraenzlin in 1926.
IDENTIFY POLYSTACHYA FALLAX ORCHID PLANT
Polystachya fallax is found in Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire. This orchid grow in montane rainforests at elevations of 1350 to 1600 meters.
It is a small sized, 14 cm tall, cool growing, epiphytic species with conical-fusiform, 2.5-4.5 cm long and 0.5-0.9 cm wide pseudobulbs carrying a single, apical, erect, ligulate-lanceolate, rounded apically, deciduous, 10 cm long and 1 cm wide leaf.
The Deceiving Polystachya blooms on an erect, 5 cm long, shorter than the leaf, 7 flowered inflorescence carrying fragrant flowers subtended by a scarious sheath occuring in the summer. The nodding, fragrant blossoms are white with a yellow callus and a purple anther cap.
POLYSTACHYA FALLAX 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:
Polystachya fallax 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:
Throughout the year, days temperature at average 26-27°C, and nights temperature at average 14-16°C, with a diurnal range of 11-13°C.
Humidity:
The Deceiving Polystachya need the humidity of 70-75% most of the year, dropping to near 60% for a month or so during the winter dry season.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Polystachya fallax may be grown in relatively small pots or baskets filled with an open, fast-draining medium that retains some moisture after watering. The medium should dry out between waterings, however. The standard fir-bark mixes work well for many growers.
Plants may also be mounted tightly to a tree-fern slab. If mounted, however, high humidity must be maintained and the plants watered at least once daily in summer. Several waterings a day may be necessary for mounted plants during extremely hot, dry weather.
These orchids appear to grow better when allowed to form large clumps, so they should be divided as little as possible. Repotting, mounting, or dividing should be done only when new root growth is just starting. This allows the plant to become established in the shortest possible time with the least amount of stress.
Watering:
Rainfall in the habitat is light to moderate most of the year with a fairly dry period for about 2 months in winter. Cultivated plants should be watered rather heavily while actively growing, but their roots must be able to dry out fairly quickly after watering. Water should be reduced somewhat in winter after new growth has matured.
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:
Growing temperatures should be maintained all year. There is a somewhat drier period for about 2 months in winter, so water should be reduced for Polystachya fallax during this period, but they should not be left completely without water for long periods. Somewhat regular early-morning mistings between occasional light waterings should provide sufficient moisture in most growing areas. Fertilizer should be eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is resumed in spring.
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