Sophronitis coccinea (4N)

Base Price: $0.00

Intro:
This charming little plant heralds from Brazil. It grows in bright light in somewhat cooler temperatures. The plant is miniature and produces large 3h flowers of brilliant red. It normally grows on shrubby trees in very open areas that receive bright light in the daytime but cooler temperatures and fog or dew at night. These are the tetraploid varieties with much larger flowers. They are also stronger growing plants.

Light:
This plant prefers bright cattleya light, from 2500-5000 foot-candles to do best. It prefers slightly more light during the winter months when the sun is lower on the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere and somewhat shadier conditions in the summer when the days are long. If grown under fluorescent lights, the plant must be grown within just a few inches from the tubes. Follow the seasonal changes with 11.5 hours of light in December, 12 hours in mid-January, 13 hours in February, 14 hours in March through August, 13 hours in September, 12 hours in October, and 11.5 in November.

Temperature:
This plant is a cool grower in nature, and requires 55 degrees at night, and 68-70 degrees in the daytime for winter temps. Summer temps can be several degrees warmer. The tetraploid versions do not require as cool a temperature and seem to grow with more vigor.

Humidity:
50% or above. Plants mounted on slabs need higher humidity in order to do well. Hydrologs are a good alternative. These are available for sale from Orchids Limited. The small one is $4.50, and the large size is $7.50. For the coccinea, we recommend the small size.

Water:
Only rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water should be used. Water as the plant dries out. When the buds are emerging, it is important to keep the root system more moist.

Fertilizer:
If using rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water, use CalMag 15-5-15. If using municipal water with pH of 7.5 or lower, use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree. Use either at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water if fertilizing every third watering, or 1/2 teaspoon if fertilizing every watering. If fertilizing every watering, flush with clear water once a month.

We also highly recommend 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.

Flowering:
This plant typically flowers in the fall to early winter months, November - January in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also bloom in the spring. The flowers are very large, much larger than the individual leaves and growths from which they emerge. They are well-rounded and deep scarlet. The tetraploid forms are larger and have wider segments.

Repotting:
It is best to repot this plant in the spring months when the new growths are forming. It can be repotted in net pots using sphagnum moss, on cork slabs or hydrologs. If mounting, spread the root system over the mount, spread a thin layer of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber over the roots, and tie it down with fishing line.