Calanthe discolor - Different Colored Calanthe (40-65 cm in height) blooms in the spring with 2 cm in diameter, brownish purple flowers with white lip
Calanthe discolor also called as Different Colored Calanthe, Calanthe cheniana, Calanthe discolor f. kanashiroi, Calanthe discolor f. quinquelamellata, Calanthe esquirolii, Calanthe lurida, Calanthe tyoh-harae, Calanthe variegata, is a species of the genus Calanthe. This species was described by John Lindley in 1838.
DESCRIPTION OF CALANTHE DISCOLOR - DIFFERENT COLORED CALANTHE
Calanthe discolor is native to Southern China, Southern Korea, Japan to Nansei-shoto. This orchid is found growing in montane forests, limestone areas in Korea, Japan (including Nansei-shoto), and China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang) at elevations of 170-1700 meters above sea level.
It is a small sized, cool to cold growing, semi-evergreen terrestrial which reaching 40-65 cm in height with inconspicuous rhizome and subconic, small pseudobulbs with 3 or 4 sheaths. The leaves are 2-4, not well developed at anthesis, obovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, 13-25 cm long by 3-9 cm wide, abaxially densely puberulent, apex acute with petiole-like base of 3-9 cm long, usually forming a pseudostem of 6-10 cm long.
Different Colored Calanthe blooms in the spring from the 6-8 cm long, laxly 6–15-flowered rachis on the 18–30 cm long, densely puberulent scape that arise from the leaf axil with persistent, ovate-lanceolate, nearly glabrous floral bracts. The flowers are 2 cm in diameter, brownish purple, with white lip.
CALANTHE DISCOLOR - DIFFERENT COLORED 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 discolor needs a light level of 10000-15000 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:
The average temperature of the summer day is 24-30 ° C, the night 18-19 ° C, giving a daily difference of 7-11 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 24-27 ° C, night 8-11 ° C, giving a daily difference of 15-18 ° C.
Humidity:
Different Colored 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 discolor 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:
Different Colored 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 discolor 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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