Odontoglossum nobile is found in Boyaca, Santander and Norte de Santander Colombia in cloudforests at elevations of 2000 to 2400 meters. It was discovered in the year 1847 by MM. Funck and Schlim when on a botanical mission to New Granada, in the service of M. Linden.
Odontoglossum nobile also called as The Grand Odontoglossum, Odontoglossum nobile var. leucoxanthum, Odontoglossum nobile var. veitchianum, Odontoglossum pescatorei, Odontoglossum pescatorei var. leucoxanthum, Oncidium pescatorii, Oncidium nobile, is a species of the genus Odontoglossum. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1849.
IDENTIFY ODONTOGLOSSUM NOBILE ORCHID PLANT
Odontoglossum nobile is found in Boyaca, Santander and Norte de Santander Colombia in cloud forests at elevations of 2000 to 2400 meters. It was discovered in the year 1847 by MM. Funck and Schlim when on a botanical mission to New Granada, in the service of M. Linden.
It is a small to medium sized, cold growing epiphyte with ovoid, laterally compressed, ancipitous, glossy, and mottled with dark brown pseudobulbs enveloped basally by 2 to 3 leaf-bearing sheaths and carrying 2 apical, ligulate, acute, conduplicate below into the narrow, fairly long petiole-like base, 15-30 cm long leaves.
The Grand Odontoglossum blooms in the later spring and early summer on an erect or arching, occasionally branching, to 60 cm long,10 to 100 flowered inflorescence carrying faintly fragrant, variable colored, orbicular appearing flowers. Sepals ovate-oblong, apiculate, slightly waved at the edges, an inch long, white with streaks of rose-colour. Petals similar in form and texture to the sepals, but broader and more curled at the edges, of the purest white. Lip inclining to fiddle-shape, pointed, but with the point invisible when looked at in front; towards the base are two short upright tubercles that pass forward into plates diverging from each other, and toothed in front. On either side are two pseudo-wings, irregularly indented, and, like the plates, of a beautiful gold colour, streaked with red. The rest of the lip is white, with the exception of a few irregular blotches of crimson, the number and size and disposition of which vary considerably in different individuals. Column short, with short wedge-shaped wings, a little indented at the edges.
ODONTOGLOSSUM NOBILE 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 nobile 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 Grand Odontoglossum should be grown under cold temperature conditions. In summer, the optimum temperature range is between 8°C and 26°C. In winter, it need a minimum nighttime temperature of 4 to 7°C, with daytime temperatures of 10 to 16°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 nobile 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 Grand 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 nobile 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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