Specklinia chontalensis - Chontal Specklinia flowers are about 0.5 cm in diameter, ocreaceous or green-yellowish in color and open singularly...
Specklinia chontalensis, also called as Chontal Specklinia, Pleurothallis chontalensis, Sarcinula chontalensis, is a species of the genus Specklinia. This species was described by Carlyle August Luer in 2004.
SPECKLINIA CHONTALENSIS - CHONTAL SPECKLINIA DESCRIPTION
Specklinia chontalensis is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua. It is found growing on the branches of the trees of the humid forests in the wet tropical biome at elevation from the sea level up to about 650 meters above sea level, in a climate characterized by high rainfall.
It is a mini-miniature sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte which reaching up to 6 cm in height with short, 0.5-0.7 cm long, erect ramicauls that are enveloped by 2 tubular white sheaths. The single leaf is erect, coriaceous, elliptical-obovate, obtuse to rounded, cuneate below into the petiolate base, 3-4.5 cm long include the 0.5-1 cm long petiole, green colored.
Chontal Specklinia blooms in summer from the very congested, fasciculate, 3 to 4 cm long, 2 to 3 flowered inflorescence that arising from the apex of the ramicaul, with imbricating floral bracts. The flowers are about 0.5 cm in diameter, ocreaceous or green-yellowish in color and open singularly in succession, petals and lip stet are orange. Sepals are acute, with glandular surface and ciliate edges; dorsal sepal interior surface covered with rounded conspicuous patches; lateral sepals are connate. Petals are thin, spatulate, with a wide lobe on the anterior edge, acute apex, with two nerves. Lip is parallel to the column, fleshy, verrucose, with an erect lobe on each side near the base; callus is bifid, elevated, papillose. Column is thin, tridentate at the apex, with a short foot with a 90º angle to the column.
SPECKLINIA CHONTALENSIS - CHONTAL SPECKLINIA 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:
Specklinia chontalensis 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 27-29 °C, and the average night temperature is 21-23 °C, with a daily amplitude of 6-8 ° C. In winter, the average day temperature is 25-26 °C, and the average night temperature is 18-20 °C, with a daily amplitude of 6-8 ° C.
Humidity:
Chontal Specklinia 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:
Specklinia chontalensis 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:
Chontal Specklinia 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:
Specklinia chontalensis 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, Chontal Specklinia 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:
Specklinia chontalensis 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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