Acineta barkeri is found from Mexico to Guatemala. It grow in cloud forests in Oaxaca and Chiapas states of Mexico and Guatemala at elevations around 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level.
Acineta barkeri also called as Barker's Acineta, Acineta barkeri var. aurantiaca, Peristeria barkeri, is a species of the genus Acineta. This species was described by John Lindley in 1843.
IDENTIFY ACINETA BARKERI ORCHID PLANT
Acineta barkeri is found from Mexico to Guatemala. It grow in cloud forests in Oaxaca and Chiapas states of Mexico and Guatemala at elevations around 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level.
It is a medium sized, warm growing epiphyte with ovoid, slightly compressed, longitudinally sulcate pseudobulbs partially enveloped by soon fibrous sheaths and carrying 3 to 4, apical, erect, plicate, coriaceous, elliptic, acuminate, attenuate and channeled below into the base leaves.
Barker's Acineta blooms in the summer on basal, 2 to 3, pendant, terete, racemose, slightly flexuous, 30 to 40 cm long, 15 to 20 flowered inflorescence arising on a mature pseudobulb as a new growth appears, with several, tubular, scarious, coffee brown bracts and elliptic-ovate, cucullate, round to obtuse floral bracts carrying simultaneously opening flowers. The flowers are waxy-satiny, cupped, and very fragrant; creamy to vivid golden yellow with a large blood-red blotch on the lip, surrounded by red freckles on the sidelobes and sometimes on the base of the petals.
ACINETA BARKERI 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:
Acineta barkeri requires the light level of 17000-30000 lux with 50-60% shade clothes, but not direct sunlight. Direct light will burn the leaves.
Temperature:
Barker's Acineta need a minimum winter nighttime temperature of 10 to 13°C, with daytime temperatures of 13 to 20°C. Diurnal temperature changes between 8-11°C should provide the proper conditions to initiate flowering.
Humidity:
During active growth, the plant requires 40% to 60% humidity. Too dry air has a negative effect on the development of the plant: its growth is inhibited, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out. The higher temperature, the higher the humidity should be, and the higher the humidity, the more often and longer it is necessary to ventilate the room where the plants are contained, otherwise the probability of rotting and various kinds of fungal diseases.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Acineta barkeri grow best in a wire basket with a lose weave that allows the pendent flower to penetrate through. They can also be mounted onto a tree fern or cork base. Paperbark tree bark or coconut fiber can be used but must not be too thick. Medium grade bark and perlite mix permitting very good drainage should be used possibly with some sphagnum moss mixed through to retain moisture.
Repotting about every 3 years is usually adequate. Repotting can delay flowering for 12 months. Repotting is best done in summer right after flowering is finished.
Watering:
The plants should be watered 3-4 times a week in hot weather and may require daily misting in very hot weather as they like high humidity. Avoid wetting the leaves in cool weather in winter as this can cause bacterial spotting on the leaves. They need dry winters and should receive little water and more sunlight in this period. These plants should only receive regular watering in mid spring when growth restarts.
Watering is directly dependent on the temperature of the content, the higher it is, the more often it needs to be watered. When watering, excess water should flow freely from the pot, since stagnation of water both inside the pot and in its pan can very quickly lead to rotting of the roots and the lower part of the plant.
Fertilizer:
You can fertilize with a diluted concentration once every months. Use a 30-10-10 high-nitrogen formulation, alternating with a 20-20-20 balanced formulation; in the blooming season, which is mainly summer, use a 10-30-20 blossom-booster formulation.
Rest period:
Acineta barkeri requires a cool and semi-dry rest period in early winter to induce blooms. They need less water in the winter, especially if they grow under the conditions of a dark, short day that occurs at moderate latitudes. They should dry somewhat between waterings, but they should not be dry for a longer period. Frequent morning fogging and rare, economical watering should allow the plant to go through a dry period of rest, while providing it with sufficient humidity. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins.
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