Polystachya longiscapa is found in Uluguru Mts in Tanzania. Its grow in clumps, on rocks in cultivated fields, rocky outcrops with grasses, Aloe spp. and Philippia spp. by rivers, along the rock course of waterfalls at altitude of 700-1680 m.
Polystachya longiscapa also called as The Long Inflorescence Polystachya is a species of the genus Polystachya. This species was described by Victor Samuel Summerhayes in 1934.
IDENTIFY POLYSTACHYA LONGISCAPA ORCHID PLANT
Polystachya longiscapa is found in Uluguru Mts in Tanzania. Its grow in clumps, on rocks in cultivated fields, rocky outcrops with grasses, Aloe spp. and Philippia spp. by rivers, along the rock course of waterfalls at altitude of 700-1680 m.
It is a medium to large sized, up to 120 cm tall, cool growing lithophyte with conical, clustered, 1.5-2.3 cm long, 1.5-3 cm in diameter pseudobulbs carrying 4 to 8, linear, acute, sometimes purple blotched, deciduous, 20-36 cm long, 1.5-2.6 cm wide leaves.
The Long Inflorescence Polystachya blooms in the spring on a terminal, 90 cm long, branched, several flowered inflorescence with overlapping sheaths. The flowers are pale to bluish pink, lip whitish to pale pink with a purple oblong fleshy dot in the basal center.
POLYSTACHYA LONGISCAPA 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 longiscapa needs a light level of 20000-30000 lux. Light should be somewhat 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 27°C, and nights temperature at average 16-17°C, with a diurnal range of 11°C.
Humidity:
The Long Inflorescence Polystachya need the humidity of 65-70% for most of the year, increasing to near 80% during the wettest season in autumn.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Polystachya longiscapa are probably growing in a layer of moss and/or lichen or in cracks in the rock that contain broken-down vegetable matter and other plant detritus. Plants may be grown in relatively small pots or baskets filled with an open, fast-draining medium that retains some moisture after watering.
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.
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 is light to moderate most of the year but is heavy for about 2 months in early autumn. Rainfall in the high-elevation habitat may be somewhat greater than indicated, however. Cultivated plants should be watered rather regularly while actively growing, but they should be allowed to become somewhat dry between waterings. Water should be gradually reduced in late autumn after new growth is completed.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. A high-nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial from spring to midsummer, but a fertilizer high in phosphates should be used in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days temperature at average 23-24°C, and nights average 11-12°C, with a diurnal range of 11-13°C. Water should be reduced for Polystachya longiscapa in winter, but they should not be allowed to remain completely dry for long periods. Fertilizer should be eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is resumed in spring.
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