Calanthe aristulifera - Small Spike Calanthe blooms in the spring with 2.5 cm in diameter, white or pink, occasionally flushed purple flowers...
Calanthe aristulifera also called as Small Spike Calanthe, Calanthe elliptica, Calanthe furcata f. raishaensis, Calanthe kirishimensis, Calanthe raishaensis, is a species of the genus Calanthe. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1878.
DESCRIPTION OF CALANTHE ARISTULIFERA - SMALL SPIKE CALANTHE
Calanthe aristulifera is native to China Southeast, Japan, Korea, Taiwan. This orchid is found growing in damp places along valleys, dense forests in Japan (Kyushu, Hachijo Island), Korea (Heuksan Island), Taiwan, Southeastern China at elevations of 1500-2500 meters above sea level.
It is a cold growing terrestrial which reaching 28-55 cm in height with elongate, thick rhizome and subglobose pseudobulbs with 3 sheaths. The leaves are 2-4, basal, not well developed at anthesis, not deciduous, obovate-elliptic or elliptic, 15-30 cm long by 4-8 cm wide, papery, abaxially densely puberulent, apex acute with petiole-like base of 27-30 cm, usually forming a pseudostem of 13-20 cm long.
Small Spike Calanthe blooms in the spring from the 6-25 cm long, laxly to subdensely 5–20-flowered rachis on the 25-60 cm long, densely puberulent scape that arise from the leaf axils with persistent, narrowly lanceolate, glabrous, apex acute floral bracts. The flowers are 2.5 cm in diameter, white or pink, occasionally flushed purple.
CALANTHE ARISTULIFERA - SMALL SPIKE 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 aristulifera needs a light level of 15000-20000 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:
In summer, the average daytime temperature is 24 °C, 15 °C at night, with a daily amplitude of 8-9 °C. In winter, the average daytime temperatures are 23-25 °C, and 10-12 °C at night, with a daily difference of 12-14 °C.
Humidity:
Small Spike Calanthe 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:
Calanthe aristulifera 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:
Small Spike Calanthe 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:
Calanthe aristulifera 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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