Trichopilia galeottiana - Galeotti's Trichopilia flowers are showy, fragrant , green yellowish, with brown or purple patches and a white lip...
Trichopilia galeottiana, also called as Galeotti's Trichopilia, Trichopilia picta, is a species of the genus Trichopilia. This species was described by Achille Richard in 1845.
DESCRIPTION OF TRICHOPILIA GALEOTTIANA - GALEOTTI'S TRICHOPILIA
Trichopilia galeottiana is native to Southern Mexico to Central America. It is found growing on large branches of oak treees in premontane rainforests in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Panamá at elevations of 900-1200 meters above sea level.
It is a small sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with subcylindric, ancipitous, unifoliate, 7 cm long, compressed, green to green yellowish pseudobulbs that are enveloped basally by brown spotted sheaths. The single leaf is apical, elliptic-lanceolate, carinate abaxially, acute, conduplicate below into the base, 14 cm long, green in color.
Galeotti's Trichopilia blooms in spring and summer from the lateral, patent or pendant, unifloral inflorescence, sometimes with a raceme having two to three flowers. The flowers are showy, fragrant , green yellowish, with brown or purple patches and a white lip. Sepals are not twisted, smooth margin, green yellowish. Petals have same color as the sepals. Lip is yellow on the inside, lower half is yellow, upper half with with orange to reddish patches; disc on the lower half with two conspicuous hollows. Column is green and white.
TRICHOPILIA GALEOTTIANA - GALEOTTI'S TRICHOPILIA 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:
Trichopilia galeottiana needs a light level of 18000-25000 lux. The environment should be rather shady, with filtered, diffused light. Plants should not be exposed to extremely bright light, as its rather thick leaves are easily burned. Strong air movement should be provided all the time.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the day in summer is 23-25 °C, night 13-15 °C, and the amplitude of daily fluctuations is 9-11 °C. The average winter temperature is 22-25 °C during the day and 11-13 °C at night, giving a daily difference of 11-14 °C.
Humidity:
Galeotti's Trichopilia needs the humidity of 80-90% for most of the year, with a fall to 65-70% in late winter. Too dry air has a negative effect on the development of the plant: its growth is inhibited, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out. The higher temperature, the higher the humidity should be, and the higher the humidity, the more often and longer it is necessary to ventilate the room where the plants are contained, otherwise the probability of rotting and various kinds of fungal diseases. Good air movement is essential while the plants are in leaf and growing. 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:
Trichopilia galeottiana grows well attached to pieces of tree ferns or cork, with high humidity ensured and daily watering during the summer. During the dry and hot periods it may be necessary to water several times a day.
They can also grow in pots with a loose substrate, quickly draining excess water, which, however, contains substances that retain a certain amount, such as cut sphagnum moss or perlite. Wood charcoal is also often added to ensure the air permeability of the substrate and protection against acidification.
Repotting:
The plants should be replanted before the substrate begins to be less permeable. The most appropriate time of the year for repotting is the end of winter preceding flowering, as flowers and new growths appear almost at the same time. Therefore, the plants should be repotted when new roots start growing or only a little earlier. This allows the plants to acclimatize in a relatively short time and provides them with the least stress. This is very important, because the plants must acclimate to the additional stress caused by the approaching hot, dry, summer weather.
Watering:
Galeotti's Trichopilia should be watered frequently during active growth, but there should be excellent drainage and the roots need to dry a bit between waterings. The substrate around the roots must never be stale or soggy. When new growths reach maturity in late autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, the plant should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. At the beginning of the year, when new growths appear and intensively develop, you can use a fertilizer with an increased nitrogen content, then in late summer and autumn the plants should be fed a fertilizer with an increased content of phosphorus in order to initiate flowering and facilitate the maturation of young growth.
Rest period:
Trichopilia galeottiana do not need a rest period but can grow and bloom better if they are given a cool and dry dormant period for several weeks. In winter, for 1-2 months, the plants need less water when not actively grown, especially when grown in low light during the short mid-latitude days. They should dry somewhat between waterings, but should not be dry for a longer period. The plant should be supplied with the amount of water that will prevent the pseudobulbs from wrinkling. Fertilization should be limited or should be completely abandoned until new growths appear.
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