Selected Species from NMQOC Species Appreciation Group 15th March 2014 Photos courtesy of Graham Corbin Orchid commentary courtesy of Roger Finn, Nev Bone
Aerides lawrenceae Philippines on the Island of Mindanao Epiphyte Grows in bright locations at low altitude, on the outer branches of the rain forest trees.
Aerides quinquevulnera Philipines & Papua New Guinea. Epiphyte It grows in high light situations, mostly at low altitudes, with some extending up into the higher elevations (2000m). Cattleya bowringiana Central America – Honduras, Guatemala, Belize. Epiphyte, lithophyte. Along streams and on cliffs often in full sun. Requires bright light and humid conditions.
Cultivation, In pot. Medium bark but with good drainage. Water twice a week in the warmer months and once every ten days in the cooler months. Fertilize with high nitrogen three consecutive weeks and with low nitrogen the fourth week. Flower booster in January and February does help.
Phalaenopsis herioglyphia Philippines wide spread Epiphyte Growing in hot humid rainforests in low light conditions.
Holcoglossum kimballianum China , Yunnana Provence, Myanmar, & Thailand. Epiphyte growing in patial to full sun in the forests or on rocks & generally in locations of high humidity 1000 to 1600m
Dendrobium atroviolaceum D'Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago of the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. Growing in rain forest trees in semi shaded locations.
Epidendrum viviparum Bolivia, Guianas, Colombia, Peru & Brazil. Epiphyte, growing in the subtropical forests moderate altitude Cut off flower spike to encourage growth from bottom.
Spathoglottis paulinae
Haraella retrocalla Tailand. Epiphyte in ancient forests where it grows in warm to cool conditions at 1000 to 2200m needs all round watering. It grows in medium light conditions.
Spathoglottis affinis
Doritis pulcherrima var. champornensis f. alba Northeast India to southern China, Malay Peninsular, Sumatra & Borneo Terrestrial growing in bright sunlight in crevices in the rocks. Sea level to 1200m
Phalaenopsis buyssoniana (Doritis pulcherrima var. buyssoniana) Thailand and Indo China Terrestrial; Grows in sandy soils near the coast or on rocks near the sea. Up to 1200 m Culture: in pot with medium bark; roots do not like to be confined. Protect from the cold. Water well in summer and reduce in winter. Low nitrogen fertiliser
Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (Doritis pulcherrima) China, India, S.E. Asia, Sumatra and Borneo Terrestrial growing in sandy soils near the coast. Grows in bright light in crevices in rocks up to 1200 m. Culture: in pot, medium bark, roots do not like to be confined, protect from cold. Water well in summer and reduce in winter. Low nitrogen fertilizer.
Robiquetia succisa
Dendrobium bigibbum var. superbum Eastern side of Cape York Peninsular from north of Cooktown to Mt. Molloy. Epiphyte, coastal scrubs, littoral forests, by swamps and gullies in more open forests. Lilac-purple in colour. Larger, flatter. Opens widely. Colour variants – white and blue. Cultivation: water copiously in summer and refrain from watering in winter. Fertilise
with high nitrogen from September until New Year. Then low nitrogen until end of flowering. Needs good air and good drainage. Grow under 50% shade.
Dendrobium bigibbum var. superbum Dendrobium bigibbum f. album ‘Blue Coral’ x self
Oncidium dichromaticum
Dendrochilum uncatum Philippines, Taiwan Epiphyte; grows in moss forests over 500m Grown in medium bark. Watered thrice weekly in summer and twice weekly in winter. Fertilized - 3 weeks high nitrogen followed by one week of low nitrogen. None in winter.
Dendrochilum longifolium Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea Epiphyte/Lithophyte; in forests up to 2200m Grown in small bark under 50% shade. Watered well in summer. Kept moist in winter
Dendrochilum magnum Philippines Warm to cool growing epiphyte found in mossy forests at elevations 1600 – 2000m Grown in medium bark. Watered thrice weekly in summer and twice weekly in winter. Fertilized - 3 weeks high nitrogen followed by one week of low nitrogen. None in winter.
Pholidota imbricata Found widespread from India to Australia. Grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte to 1200m on rain forest trees. Grown in a pot, in a well drained bark mix. Watered frequently in summer and given a rest in winter. Fertilized with low nitrogen weekly in the warmer months
Restrepia trichoglossa Central and South America from Mexico to Colombia Ecuador and Peru. It grows at altitudes from 300m to 2400m. Widely distributed. Grows in clumps. Grown under 50% shade. Kept moist. Fertilize three weeks with high nitrogen, one week low nitrogen. Good air movement required.
Phalaenopsis fasciata Philippines Low altitudes in hot humid rainforests; at elevations to 300m Grown on a slab. Watered frequently all year round. Low nitrogen fertilizer. Dappled shade.
Phalaenopsis equestris Philippines and Taiwan Grows as an epiphyte at low altitudes in humid forests. Grown over a tray of coconut husk that is kept wet. This species has been potted on sphagnum moss and fertilized with low nitrogen
Phalaenopsis violacea Phalaenopsis violacea ‘Ingigo’
Phalaenopsis bellina var. alba Malay Peninsula and Borneo Grows at low altitudes in shady humid habitats beside streams and swamps. Grown in sphagnum moss under 60% shade. Watered once a week. Fertilized weekly with Low N.
Dendrobium monophyllum East Coast of Australia from Cooktown to Grafton. Wide-spread and common on cliff faces, rocks, upper branches of trees in full sun. Needs bright light and humidity. Flowers throughout the year. Cultivation – On slab. Copious water in summer but less in winter. In full sun. Fertilize – low nitrogen in warmer months. (September to April – May)
Sarcochilus hirticalcar Endemic to North East Queensland – McIlwraith Range Usually a small epiphyte growing on open vegetation along creeks and rivers and on floodplains in moist areas. Flowers are long lasting. Grown on cork or hardwood in a fairly shady spot. Fertilize with low nitrogen in the warmer months and water copiously in summer and sparingly in winter.
Spathoglottis plicata Southern India – S.E. Asia- Philippines- Indonesia-P.N.G.-Australia – Central Pacific In grasslands and open forests not far from the coast but only in moist places Grown in cymbidium mix. Watered daily in summer, Rested in winter. Low N fertilizer.
Hoffmannseggella longipes
Bulbophyllum schillerianum North East Queensland to Central New South Wales – Cooktown to Newcastle. Pendulous epiphyte; grows on a variety of trees along streams and watercourses, near swamps. Likes a moist, humid, airy habitat. Prefers a shady site. Easy to grow on cork or Callistemon. Water well in summer and sparingly in winter. Fertilize with low nitrogen during warmer weather. Grown in bush house in a shady location.
Laelia cinnabarina
Hoffmannseggella sanguiloba
Laelia pumila
Hoffmannseggella gloedeniana
Dendrobium sanguinolentum
Acampe rigida
Prosthechea cochleata Cattleya mossiae
Laelia fournieri
Dendrochilum cobbianum
Dendrochilum microchilum