Odontoglossum naevium is found in Colombia and Venezuela in cloudforests at 1200 to 2000 meters. In Venezuela, it was found in the province of Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, at elevation of 1800. It was first discovered by the late Sir Robert Schomburgk, and having been shipped with his other collections from Demerara.
Odontoglossum naevium also called as The Speckled Odontoglossum, Oncidium naevium, is a species of the genus Odontoglossum. This species was described by John Lindley in 1850.
IDENTIFY ODONTOGLOSSUM NAEVIUM ORCHID PLANT
Odontoglossum naevium is found in Colombia and Venezuela in cloudforests at 1200 to 2000 meters. In Venezuela, it was found in the province of Truxillo, near S. Lazaro and La Peña, at elevation of 1800. It was first discovered by the late Sir Robert Schomburgk, and having been shipped with his other collections from Demerara.
It is a small to medium sized, cool growing epiphyte with narrowly ovate to pear-shaped, brownish green, strongly compressed pseudobulbs that narrow apically and are partially enveloped basally by several distichous, imbricating, leaf-bearing sheaths and carry 2, apical, acute, lanceolate, conduplicate below into the long, narrow, petiole-like base leaves.
The Speckled Odontoglossum blooms in cultivation in the winter and spring on an axillary, 30 to 40 cm long, erect then arching to pendant, to 12 flowered inflorescence arising on a newly forming growth arising through a leaf sheath axil with the flowers raceme held in the apical half and carrying fragrant flowers. The flowers are pure white, speckled everywhere with rich crimson or brown. Bracts very short, scale-like. Sepals and Petals ovate, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, spreading equally, much waved, from 1½ to (in some varieties) 2 or 2½ inches long. Lip shorter than the petals, but nearly of the same form and colour, except that there is a yellow crest with a large crimson blotch in its front; at its base the edges of the claw clasp the column. Teeth of the crest yellow, small, distinct, with 2 or 3 unequal blunt lobes to each, downy. Column downy, narrowed to the base, with a pair of awl-shaped ears near the summit, below the anther-bed.
ODONTOGLOSSUM NAEVIUM 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:
Odontoglossum naevium need a light level of 10000-15000 lux for mature plants, but less for young plants and when temperatures are high (70% shade cloth over summer and more light in winter). Leaves turn reddish blue if receiving too much light and leaf loss will occur if too sun damaged. Dark green leaves indicate insufficient light. A slight bronzing of the leaves and older bulbs indicates the light is good for flowering.
Temperature:
The Speckled Odontoglossum should be grown under cool temperature conditions. In summer, the optimum temperature range is between 8°C and 26°C. In winter, it need a minimum nighttime temperature of 7 to 12°C, with daytime temperatures of 10 to 17°C. The diurnal difference between day and night is usually 8 - 10°C. In their natural environment night temperatures can fall to 5°C and although tolerant of low temperatures down to 0°C, they will not tolerate frosts.
Humidity:
This orchid prefer humidity levels between 55-75%; higher levels of 60-80% require good air movement especially in the cooler months. Plants can also tolerate humidity levels down to 40% which can be maintained or increased with morning and evening misting.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Odontoglossum naevium are usually grown in pot using small bark (5-10mm) perlite potting mix (5:1) or in sphagnum moss and perlite (70:30) as substrate. Some growers place a layer of sphagnum moss on the top of the pot to reduce evaporation and keep the roots cool. They can also be grown in perlite with a layer of gravel on the top.
These plants should be repotted every year to every 2 years in spring or autumn when new growths are about half mature. They should be grown in small squat pots that allow more frequent watering. The base of the new growth should be planted about 1.5cm into the bark but no deeper. Keep bark barely moist until new roots appear then resume normal watering.
Watering:
The Speckled Odontoglossum like abundant water and require frequent watering in warmer months. They must never be allowed to dry out. During summer irrigation will be required every 2 -3 days, however during winter rates may drop to once every 10 – 14 days. Misting daily in very hot weather is recommended. To reduce leaf spotting, avoid watering in the heat of the day or late afternoon in warmer months. Also avoid wetting the leaves and water the pot, not the leaves.
Fertilizer:
This plant require frequent application of half to quarter strength fertilizer all year round but less in winter. Apply fertilizer every 2 weeks when growing actively but monthly when less active. They are not gross feeders and too much fertilizer will harm their roots and turn leaf tips brown. Use of high phosphorus or potassium fertilizers as plants approach flowering can increase flower count and substance.
Rest period:
Odontoglossum naevium do not a rest period to stimulate flowering nor in winter. But they need less water in the winter, especially if they grow under the conditions of a dark, short day that occurs in moderate latitudes. You can let the plants dry between the next watering, but you must not let the plants stay dry for a long time. Fertilization should be limited or should be completely abandoned until spring, when stronger watering resumes.
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