Calanthe speciosa - Splendid Calanthe blooms in the late summer and the fall with yellow flowers that are open successively, 3 cm in diameter...
Calanthe speciosa also called as Splendid Calanthe, Amblyglottis speciosa, Calanthe disticha, Calanthe patsinensis, Calanthe scortechinii, Styloglossum speciosum, is a species of the genus Calanthe. This species was described by John Lindley in 1833.
DESCRIPTION OF CALANTHE SPECIOSA - SPLENDID CALANTHE
Calanthe speciosa is native to China (Hong Kong) to Nansei-shoto, Peninsula Thailand to Malesia. This orchid is found growing in damp places in forests along valleys in Borneo, China Southeast, Hainan, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Nansei-shoto, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Vietnam at elevations of 100-1900 meters above sea level.
It is a large sized, hot to cool growing terrestrial which reaching 50-70 cm in height with fleshy rhizome and cylindric-ovoid to clavate, 4-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide, several noded pseudobulbs that are usually enclosed by leaf sheaths. The leaves are 5-10, nearly distichous, not deciduous, oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, 40-95 cm long by 4-9 cm wide, glabrous, apex acuminate.
Splendid Calanthe blooms in the late summer and the fall from the 10-15 cm long, densely many flowered rachis on the 30-45 cm long inflorescence that arise from the base of the pseudobulb with several tubular sheaths below middle and caducous, narrowly lanceolate, 2.5-3.5 cm, membranous, glabrous floral bracts. The flowers are 3 cm in diameter, open successively, yellow in color.
CALANTHE SPECIOSA - SPLENDID 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 speciosa needs a light level of 15000-25000 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:
Splendid 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 speciosa 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:
Splendid 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 speciosa 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:
Splendid 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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