Calanthe argenteostriata - Silvery Striped Calanthe flowers are 2 cm in diameter with yellowish green sepals and petals; white lip; disk with 3 rows..
Calanthe argenteostriata also called as Silvery Striped Calanthe, , is a species of the genus Calanthe. This species was described by Chen (Zhen) Zi Tang and Shi Jun Cheng in 1981.
DESCRIPTION OF CALANTHE ARGENTEOSTRIATA - SILVERY STRIPED CALANTHE
Calanthe argenteostriata is native to China (SE. Yunnan to N. Guangdong) to Vietnam. This orchid is found growing in broadleafed, evergreen, humid, primary forests and in damp crevasses, on steep shady slopes in limestone karst regions at elevations of 500-1200 meters above sea level.
It is a small to just large sized, warm to cool growing terrestrial or lithophyte which reaching to 65 cm in height with inconspicuous rhizome and clustered, subconical pseudobulbs. The leaves are 3 to 7, deep green, with 5 or 6 silver-gray bands adaxially, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, 18-27 × 5-11 cm, glabrous or abaxially slightly puberulent, apex acute.
Silvery Striped Calanthe blooms in spring on an erect, basal, to 60 cm long, subdensely more than 10-flowered inflorescence that arise from leaf axil with lanceolate, glabrous, persistent floral bracts. The flowers are 2 cm in diameter with yellowish green sepals and petals; white lip; disk with 3 rows of small, golden yellow, wartlike calli at base; spur yellowish green; column white.
CALANTHE ARGENTEOSTRIATA - SILVERY STRIPED CALANTHE 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:
Calanthe argenteostriata needs a light level of 10000-20000 lux. The light should be bright but filtered or dispersed, and the plants should never be exposed to the direct sunlight of the midday sun. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
Silvery Striped Calanthe grow well under intermediate conditions with the average temperature of the day of 24-27 ° C, the night 18-21 ° C, and the daily difference is 3-6 ° C. The rest period for this orchid is winter period triggered by cold weather and short daylight. If the orchids are kept in warm environment, they are evergreen orchids so watering should be not be retained.
Humidity:
Calanthe argenteostriata needs the humidity of 60-80%. The plant need even moisture and humidity year round. Insufficient humidity cause stunting of plant, accelerate premature falling of buds, dehydrated and shriveled leaves, papery texture of flower edges. You can use a shallow tray of pebbles filled with water to increase humidity around your plants. Be sure the pot does not sit in water as this will rot the roots. Misting can also help in increasing humidity for limited period, but it causes leaf spot diseases if there is not good air circulation.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Silvery Striped Calanthe require a fertile, perfectly permeable substrate. You can use a mixture of 1 part of fertile clay soil, 1 part of well-fermented manure, 1/2 part of cut osmunda fern and 1/2 part of chopped tree fern fiber or a mixture consisting of 6 parts of fine bark, 1 part of pearlite or pumice, and 3 parts of peat mixed with live moss sphagnum. One part of charcoal can be added to each of the aforementioned mixtures, which improves the airiness of the substrate and prevents it from getting sour.
The plants do not need repotting every year, once every thee years will suffice. When potting, the pseudobulbs must be half buried into the potting media.
Watering:
Calanthe argenteostriata should be abundantly watered during active growth, but excellent drainage and aeration of the substrate must be ensured, which can never be soggy or damp.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to use 1/2-3/4 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids in the growing season every week. These orchids require high doses of fertilizers. You can use sustainable fertilizer throughout the year, but also can use high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to mid-summer, and then until the end of autumn, high-phosphoric fertilizer.
Rest period:
Silvery Striped Calanthe doesn't need a rest period. The growing conditions should be maintained throughout the year. Watering can be reduced slightly in winter, especially if the plant is grown in latitudes where there is less light and shorter days. However, these plants should never be dried out. When limiting watering in winter, fertilization should also be reduced, returning to increased watering and fertilizing in spring.
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