Coryanthes vasquezii

**Click on the highlighted text for direct links to product pages** .

Light:
Low to medium, from 800 to 2500 foot candles. East windows and artificial light culture are ideal. Can be grown out of doors in summer months and best if hung in a tree

P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.

Temperature:
Intermediate to warm, with winter night time temps no lower than 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit and days of 70 to 75 degrees. Summer temps can be several degrees warmer.

Humidity:
This plant likes a relative humidity of 50 percent or higher. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.

We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker.

Water:
Water as the mix approaches dryness. In winter months water when the mix is dry.

Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.

Fertilizer:
We highly recommend using Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water if plants are planted in bark. Be sure to flush the mix with clear water only once per month to prevent fertilizer salt build up. For plants in moss or mounted on slabs feed every third or 4th watering as the moss holds a lot of nutrients.

Or use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.

Another fertilizer offered is: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula).

Flowering:
This plant can flower at any time of year but flowers heaviest from spring through fall. Can also bloom several times a year. The 4-inch flowers are bucket shaped and drip nectar to help trap pollinators (Euglossine bees) and guide them through an opening where pollen awaits to be stuck on their head. Tropical forests are dependant on Coryanthes species as the flowers of these plants carry chemicals that male Euglossine bees rub on themselves to attract female bees for mating. These same bees also pollinate other important forest plants like the Brazil nut tree. No Coryanthes flowers, no bees; no bees, no Brazil nuts; no Brazil nuts, a reduction in monkey and parrot populations. The flower spikes are pendulous and bear usually 4 flowers per spike.

Repotting:
This plant really prefers New Zealand sphagnum moss and likes either plastic pots or baskets. Repot in spring just as new growths begin.

We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.