Barkeria obovata - Obovate Barkeria flowers are cleistogamous, they are white, the lip has purple nerves, the column is green-yellowish with purple...
Barkeria obovata also called as Obovate Barkeria, Barkeria chinensis, Barkeria nonchinensis, Broughtonia chinensis, Epidendrum chinense, Epidendrum nonchinense, Laeliopsis chinensis, Oncidium obovatum is a species of the genus Barkeria. This species was described by Eric Alston Christenson in 1988.
DESCRIPTION OF BARKERIA OBOVATA - OBOVATE BARKERIA
Barkeria obovata is native to Mexico to Panama. It is found growing on trees in deciduous forests of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Panamá at elevations of 130-1250 meters above sea level.
It is a small to large sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte which reaching up to 60 cm in height with a short rhizome and erect, fusiform, slightly compressed, 4 to 7 noded, 10 cm long pseudobulbs that are covered with scarious sheaths. The leaves are 2 to 7, distichous, narrowly linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, fleshy, somewhat conduplicate below, grey-green, deciduous in winter (blooming time), 2-5.8 cm long and 0.8 cm wide, jointed with their green sheaths.
Obovate Barkeria blooms in winter from the apical, to 18" [45 cm] long, green-purple, racemose to paniculate, simultaneously up to 70-flowered inflorescence that arise on a maturing pseudobulb with narrowly triangular, acuminate, scarious, white floral bracts. The flowers are about 2 cm in diameter and do not open up completely. The majority of the flowers are cleistogamous, they are white, the lip has purple nerves, the column is green-yellowish with purple anthers. Long, white carinate sepals in the lower side. White petals and lip shortly acuminate.
BARKERIA OBOVATA - OBOVATE BARKERIA CARE
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:
Barkeria obovata needs a light level of 25000-40000 lux. A high level of light is required, but it should be dispersed or filtered. Probably, the plants will be in better condition if they are not exposed to the direct action of the southern sun. Strong air movement must be ensured all the time, especially if grown at high levels of light. If you have a cool humidifier, these plants will feel well placed near the outlet of cool, humid air.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 24-27 ° C, the night 14-17 ° C, and the daily difference is 8-12 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 23-24 ° C, the night 12-15 ° C, and the daily difference is 9-11 ° C.
Humidity:
Obovate Barkeria needs the average humidity of 70-80%. 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. Good air movement is essential while the plants are in leaf and growing.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Barkeria obovata are best grown on cork or tree fern rootstock, if it is possible to provide high humidity and watering in summer at least once a day. During hot, dry weather, it may be necessary to water several times a day.
The plants also grow very well mounted on the branches, run horizontally, in quite shady places. If you can not mount the plants, you can grow them in small, shallow pots or baskets with a very airy substrate. Although potted plants are not growing well, some plants of the Barkeria genus are able to adapt to growing in baskets, if we use a small amount of very thick substrate, such as pieces of tree fern.
Watering:
Obovate Barkeria should be abundantly watered during active growth, at least once a day if the weather is hot and the level of light is high, but their roots must dry quickly. When new growths reach maturity in autumn, the amount of water should be reduced.
Fertilizer:
In the period of active growth, a balanced fertilizer should be used, in 1/4-1/2 doses of fertilizer for orchids. You can also use phosphate-enriched fertilizer from mid-summer to the end of autumn to improve flowering in the next season and strengthen new growth before winter.
Rest period:
Barkeria obovata need a rest period when the leaves becoming deciduous. In winter and early spring, the plants should be considerably limited to the amount of water, but they can not remain completely dry for too long. Occasional morning misting, especially in sunny weather, will provide the plants with enough moisture and prevent excessive drying. Fertilization should be eliminated until new growths appear in the spring and normal watering begins.
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