+ Spanish
Pleurothallis it’s a huge genus containing over 1200 species. They are found from the United States through South America. Most of them, in the cloud forests of the Andes, specially in Colombia. They enjoy warm temperate and humid weathers, but also tropical environments.
They are perennial; adult plants can reach up to 20″ in height.
These plants have reduced their pseudobulbs and instead, some species have very thick leaves; this is why the new stems grow from within the base of the leave. The flowers are tiny, no bigger than 0.11″.
They are rather easy to grow, excluding the litophyte alpines. The plant must grow vertically, preferably mounted. If you’re growing them in warm weathers, you should use Sphagnum moss to help with the humid condition their roots need.
knowing your orchid:
general care:
WATER: The amount of water and light varies depending on the specie. Paying attention to it’s morphology: species with thin leaves must be kept in a more humid, shadowy environment, while those with thick and abundant foliage require a less waterings and can tolerate a little more light.
It’s important to water them only in the mornings with room temperature water so that the leaves and new growths have time to dry before the temperature drops in the evening. Excess water can be a focus of infection and can damage the plant. The frequency of waterings will depend on your climate and the time of the year; waterings should be more frequent and abundant during the hot months and if your climate is dry, you may need to water up to 3 times a week, fertilizing only once a week. During the winter and in cold zones, the watering and the feedings can be spaced every 7 to 10 days to avoid root rot. It will also depend on the type of media you’re growing them in.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY:
60% – 80%.
If your HR is to high, it’s very important to have good ventilation to prevent diseases. To increase your HR, please visit our post “Tips to increase Relative Humidity“.
TEMPERATURE:
Day: 70ºF – 75ºF
Night: 60ºF – 65ºF
This genus is ideal for areas with cold weathers. The lower the temperature, the stronger the plant. During the summer in hotter weathers it’s important to keep them in the shadow reducing it’s temperature so the leaves won’t over stress.
It’s ideal that there is a difference of 15ºF to 20ºF between day and night temperatures to promote new growths (leaves, stems and roots). If your temperature is higher that the ideal, you’ll have to increase the RH, airing and waterings, to avoid premature withering of the flowers and buds and the dehydration of your plant
LOW TO MEDIUM LIGHT: in nature they grow in shadowy forests. However, having so many species, we can try to narrow down that those with soft and thin leaves will enjoy more shadow; and thise with bigger and thicker leaves will appreciate medium light. Using the Shadow Trick(see Basic Care: Light Issues section), the shadow from your hand should be very light grey, almost imperceptible (low light) or a light grey not completely defined (medium light); if the shadow is darker, the that spot is not for this orchid. NEVER IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT!! Ideal locations: east or south facing windows with a sheer curtain.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: four tube 40 watt fluorescent fixtures placed 6″ to 12″ above the leaves for 10 to 12 hours a day. But make sure the area is kept cool, you can use a vent or AC.
These are the IDEAL conditions, however, orchids are more adaptable than we think!! You’ll just have to put a bit more effort accommodating them in their new environment. Look for tips in our Magazine!
to know more about nutrition, growing media and basic care, click below:
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