Pleurothallis matudana - Matuda's Bonnet orchid flowers are ochre-yellow in color but variable between reddish pink and purple...
Pleurothallis matudana also called as Matuda's Bonnet orchid, Acronia matudana, Zosterophyllanthos matudanus, is a species of the genus Pleurothallis. This species was described by Charles Schweinfurth in 1938.
PLEUROTHALLIS MATUDANA - MATUDA'S BONNET ORCHID DESCRIPTION
Pleurothallis matudana is native to Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Peru. It is found growing on trees in pine and oak forest, and in cloud forest from 1000 to 2400 meters above sea level.
It is a medium sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte which reaching up to 15 cm in height with an erect, terete ramicaul that are covered with two tight sheaths, one at the base and another near the middle. The single leaf is apical, ovate-lanceolate, cordate, conduplicate at the base, 6 cm long.
Matuda's Bonnet orchid blooms in the spring through fall with successive opening flowers nestled up against the cordate leaf base. The inflorescence is generally unifloral but it can have up to four flowers. The flowers are ochre-yellow in color but variable between reddish pink and purple, sepals and petals have red-brown stripes, lip is reddish except for the base and the lateral lobes. Sepals are concave, with all nerves dorsally carinate; lateral sepal with four nerves, completely connate, with a small depression near the base. Petals are almost parallel to the lip, with auricles at the base, edges are finely erose, fleshy base. Lip with a short and fleshy nail, apex with an obtuse apicule; disc is sulcate on the lower half and rugose. Column with a short foot.
PLEUROTHALLIS MATUDANA - MATUDA'S BONNET ORCHID CARE AND CULTURE
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:
Pleurothallis matudana needs a light level of 12000-18000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight in the afternoon hours. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
In summer the average day temperature is 20-23 ° C, the average night 13-16 ° C, which gives a daily difference of 8-10 ° C. In winter, the average day temperature is 18-21 ° C, night 10-13 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 7-10 ° C.
Humidity:
Matuda's Bonnet orchid needs the humidity of probably around 80% throughout the year. 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.
Substrate, growing media:
Pleurothallis matudana can be grown in small pots or baskets or mounted on pieces of tree ferns with peat moss pillows around the roots, with high humidity ensured and daily watering in the summer, during the dry and hot periods it may be necessary to water several times a day.
These plants are also grown in pots or baskets using a very loose, fast-drying substrate, such as fir bark or chopped tree fern fibers. Also, the materials that release the substrate but often retain a portion of the moisture, e.g. perlite, are often added to such a mixture. The addition of charcoal also improves the permeability of the substrate, and also protects against acidification.
Repotting:
Matuda's Bonnet orchid react badly to any manipulations, so they should be repotted or divided only when absolutely necessary. However, because these plants do not tolerate also the decaying soil around the roots, they should be repotted immediately when the substrate begins to decompose. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a substrate such as tree fern fibers, because these are slowly decomposed. If repotting is done at the time when new roots begin to appear, the plant will be accepted and rooted in the shortest possible time. If the plant was divided, it may take up to two years to recover.
Watering:
Pleurothallis matudana should be watered abundantly during the period of intensive growth from the summer to the beginning of winter, but excellent drainage should be ensured so that the ground around the roots is never desiccated or soggy.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, Matuda's Bonnet orchid should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. From spring to mid-summer, you can use fertilizer enriched with nitrogen, then switching to phosphorus-enriched fertilizer in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Pleurothallis matudana need less water in the winter, especially if they grow under the conditions of a dark, short day that occurs in moderate latitudes. However, these plants should never be completely dried up. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins.
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