Sobennikoffia humbertiana is found only in Madagascar. This orchid is found mainly in the central-southern part of the island where it grows among rocks, mostly in dry forests, at 400-1200 m. Plants may be found in humid evergreen forest or in dry scrubland, however.
Sobennikoffia humbertiana also called as Humbert's Sobennikoffia, is a species of the genus Sobennikoffia. This species was described by Joseph Marie Henry Alfred Perrier de la Bâthie in 1938.
IDENTIFY SOBENNIKOFFIA HUMBERTIANA ORCHID PLANT
Sobennikoffia humbertiana is found only in Madagascar. This orchid is found mainly in the central-southern part of the island where it grows among rocks, mostly in dry forests, at 400-1200 m. Plants may be found in humid evergreen forest or in dry scrubland, however. The areas where this orchid is found experience a distinct, long dry season when most of the moisture comes from early-morning dew and occasional mist.
It is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte or semi-lithophytic vandanaceous orchid with husky, basal roots and with a stout stem carrying many leathery, long-lasting strap shaped, 15-25 cm long and 2.0-2.5 cm wide leaves with wavy margins.
Humbert's Sobennikoffia blooms in the spring on a 30 to 40 cm long, arching inflorescence with spicy, pleasingly fragrant flowers. The spreading flowers are white when young but become yellowish with age, have sepals with a strong green tint on the back, and have green in the throat of the lip.
SOBENNIKOFFIA HUMBERTIANA 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:
Sobennikoffia humbertiana needs a light level of 25000-35000 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 18-19°C, with a diurnal range of 11-12°C.
Humidity:
Humbert's Sobennikoffia need the humidity of 70-75% in summer and autumn, dropping to 60-65% for about 3 months in late winter and early spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Sobennikoffia humbertiana may be grown in shallow, well-drained containers or mounted on tree-fern slabs. Mounted plants need high humidity, however, and during hot, dry weather they may need several waterings a day.
If it is difficult to keep mounted plants moist enough, they may be grown in a shallow pot or basket 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.
Plants should be repotted immediately if the medium starts to break down or whenever the plant outgrows its container. 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 is moderate to heavy from late spring to early autumn. Averages then drop rather abruptly in midautumn at the beginning of the dry season, that lasts about 5 months until late winter or early spring. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but drainage must be excellent. Water should be reduced in autumn after new growths mature.
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 24-26°C, and nights average 12°C, with a diurnal range of 12-14°C. Sobennikoffia humbertiana plants need much less water in winter, but plants should not be completely without water for long periods. Occasional early-morning mistings between infrequent light waterings should be adequate in most growing areas. Water should be increased somewhat if leaves shrivel or show signs of stress. Fertilizer should be eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is resumed in spring.
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