Spathoglottis plicata is found in Taiwan southern India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Tonga and Samoa. It occurs in seasonally inundated and other moist areas, in sunny areas near swamps, seepages, and small streams at altitudes of 0 - 700 meters above sea level.
Spathoglottis plicata also called as The Large Purple Orchid, Philippine Ground Orchid, Pleated Leaf Spathoglottis, Bletia angustifolia, Calanthe poilanei, Paxtonia rosea, Phaius rumphii, Spathoglottis angustifolia, Spathoglottis daenikeri, Spathoglottis lilacina, Spathoglottis plicata var. minahassae, Spathoglottis rosea, Spathoglottis spicata, is a species of the genus Spathoglottis. This species was described by Carl Ludwig Blume in 1825.
IDENTIFY SPATHOGLOTTIS PLICATA ORCHID PLANT
Spathoglottis plicata is found in Taiwan southern India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Tonga and Samoa. It occurs in seasonally inundated and other moist areas, in sunny areas near swamps, seepages, and small streams at altitudes of 0 - 700 meters above sea level.
The Large Purple Orchid is a medium to large sized, hot to cool growing terrestrial species with ovoid, 3 cm long, 1-1.7 cm wide pseudobulbs with numerous apical, stalked, linear-lanceolate, pointed, plicate, membraneous, and up to 90 cm long, 5-7 cm wide leaves.
Philippine Ground Orchid blooms several times in a year but most often through the spring and summer from the stiff, erect, up to 75 cm long, terminal inflorescence that has 9-15, successive opening, nonfragrant flowers. The flowers are 4 cm in diameter, pinkish purple, composed of 1 dorsal sepal, 2 petals, 2 lateral sepals and a lip which are all pinkish purple.
SPATHOGLOTTIS PLICATA 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:
Spathoglottis plicata needs a light level of 20000 - 50000 lux. They can grow in full sun but they should protected from the hottest direct sunlight of the day.
Temperature:
The Large Purple Orchid prefers to grow in tropical habitats with warm temperatures. This species does not tolerate temperatures lower than 10°C. The ideal temperature is 24-32 °C. If temperatures are warm, they will bloom year-round. In climates with a cool (but not freezing) winter, they may go dormant at that time if grown outdoors. You can also put them outside just for the summer in cooler climates. If the temps fall below 15° C for extended times, the plant may revert back to growth stage and flowering may be delayed.
Humidity:
Philippine Ground Orchid need high level of humidity, 60-70% is ideal. Constant air movement is also important.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Spathoglottis plicata are very forgiving as to the potting media. You can use a media based on 75% high quality soilless mix used for hanging baskets and larger containers mixed with 25% our orchid potting media which incorporates expanded slate. Outdoor landscaping media can incorporate more orchid media for drainage - bark, perlite, sphagnum moss, and various other components. The mix is very free draining but holds more moisture than regular media for epiphytic orchids.
Repotting isn’t necessary, but potted plants should be repotted in a rich organic potting mixture once the soil has become depleted. Their root systems are fairly extensive for their size. Make sure not to damage them.
Watering:
Pleated Leaf Spathoglottis require good drainage in the media, so after a thorough watering allow the media to dry on top but you do not want the container to dry out altogether. Do not allow to sit in water. Water thoroughly in the morning once to twice weekly depending on your cultural conditions allowing the top of the media to dry slightly between waterings. If the potting media is top-dressed with expanded slate, the area next to the pseudobulbs will dry out nice and quickly.
Fertilizer:
Spathoglottis plicata are vigorous and need regular fertilization; constant liquid fertilization of nitrogen works well, and many gardeners use a slow-release fertilizer as well.
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