Calanthe clavata - Short Spurred Calanthe blooms in the fall. The flowers are 1.5-2 cm in diameter, yellow and open successively.
Calanthe clavata also called as Short Spurred Calanthe, Calanthe clavata var. malipoensis, Styloglossum clavatum, is a species of the genus Calanthe. This species was described by John Lindley in 1833.
DESCRIPTION OF CALANTHE CLAVATA - SHORT SPURRED CALANTHE
Calanthe clavata is native to Sikkim to Southern China and Peninsula Malaysia. This orchid is found growing in dense forests, rocky places along valleys in Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Hainan, Malaya, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam at elevations of 800-1300 meters above sea level.
It is a medium to large sized, warm to cool growing terrestrial which reaching 40 cm in height with stout rhizome and very small pseudobulbs that are completely enclosed in scalelike sheaths. The leaves are 2 or 3, basal, not deciduous, narrowly elliptic, 50-65 cm long by 4-10 cm wide, apex acute.
Short Spurred Calanthe blooms in the fall from the 6-8 cm, densely many flowered rachis on the erect, to 40 cm long inflorescence that arise from the base of pseudobulb with several scattered tubular sheaths and caducous, lanceolate, membranous, glabrous floral bracts. The flowers are 1.5-2 cm in diameter, yellow and open successively.
CALANTHE CLAVATA - SHORT SPURRED 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 clavata needs a light level of 15000-20000-25000-30000 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:
Short Spurred 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 clavata 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:
Short Spurred 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 clavata 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:
Short Spurred 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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