Polystachya vulcanica is found in Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire. It usually grow as epiphytes on mossy branches of trees in mountain forests at 1650-3000 m, but may occasionally be found on rocks at 1300-2400 m.
Polystachya vulcanica also called as The Volcano Polystachya, is a species of the genus Polystachya. This species was described by Friedrich Fritz Wilhelm Ludwig Kraenzlin in 1923.
IDENTIFY POLYSTACHYA VULCANICA ORCHID PLANT
Polystachya vulcanica is found in Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire. It usually grow as epiphytes on mossy branches of trees in mountain forests at 1650-3000 m, but may occasionally be found on rocks at 1300-2400 m.
It is a small sized, 3.7-20 cm tall, cool to cold growing epiphyte with short, 1.2-10 cm long, 0.1-0.4 cm in diameter psuedobulbs in dense clumps, carrying a single, apical, linear, fleshy, flat or terete, 1.5-23 cm long, 0.1-1.1 cm wide leaf.
The Volcano Polystachya blooms on a 2.5 to 7.5 cm long, shorter than the leaf, simple, several to 5 flowered inflorescence arising from the apex of the mature pseudobulb occuring sporadically throughout the year. The flowers small to medium-sized, creamy-white, flushed with rose, lip and petals wine-red or purple.
POLYSTACHYA VULCANICA 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 vulcanica needs a light level of 18000-25000 lux. Light should be filtered or diffused, and the 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 20-22°C, and nights temperature at average 8-10°C, with a diurnal range of 11-12°C. Because of the range in habitat elevation, plants will probably adapt to temperatures 3-4°C warmer or cooler than indicated.
Humidity:
The Volcano 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 vulcanica usually are grown in relatively small hanging 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, generally with medium-sized bark, 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.
Most Polystachya species 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 vulcanica 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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