Barkeria spectabilis - Showy Barkeria flowers are short-lived but open in succession, bright white, pale-purple or dark purple. Petals violet...
Barkeria spectabilis also called as Showy Barkeria, Barkeria lindleyana subsp. spectabilis, Epidendrum spectabile, is a species of the genus Barkeria. This species was described by James Bateman ex John Lindley in 1842.
DESCRIPTION OF BARKERIA SPECTABILIS - SHOWY BARKERIA
Barkeria spectabilis is native to Mexico (Chiapas) to Nicaragua. It is found growing on oak tree branches and bushes, occasionally on rock in dry forests of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Nicaragua at elevations of 1300-3500 meters above sea level.
It is a small sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte or lithophyte which reaching up to 60 cm in height with very thick aerial roots and fusiform-cylindrical, erect pseudobulbs that are completely covered with scarious sheaths. The leaves are 2-4, 17 cm long and 3 cm wide, ovate to linear-lanceolate, subcoriaceous, acute to acuminate, jointed with their sheaths, green and sometimes radiated with purple.
Showy Barkeria blooms in summer from the 2-10flowered, apical, 25 cm long, racemose or paniculate inflorescence that arise on a newly pseudobulb. The flowers are 4-8 cm in diameter, short-lived but open in succession, bright white, pale-purple or dark purple. Petals violet. Lip violet, with irregular, dark purple spots. Column is green inside, outside with purple spots. The sepals have the same color as the petals.
BARKERIA SPECTABILIS - SHOWY 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 spectabilis 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:
Showy 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 spectabilis 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:
Showy 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 spectabilis 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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