Chondrorhyncha cochlearis x Cochleanthes amazonica

Base Price: $0.00

Intro:
Both of these plants are from the Amazon basin. They are moisture lovers and grow in somewhat shaded areas. Flowers are large, 3-4", and beautiful being white with deep purple veins in the lip, with a brush of lighter veins towards the outer part of the lip. The inner part of the lip near the column has a band around it, or a mask, with finer striping. The leaves are up to a foot long, and can be 2.5-3 inches wide.

Light:
This is a low light plant, and you would grow it as you would for phalaenopsis or paphiopedilums. East windows are ideal in the home, and it is an excellent plant for under lights.

Temperature:
This plant prefers intermediate conditions but will tolerate warm conditions as well. Temperatures should range from 73-85 degrees for a daytime high and 58-63 degrees for a nightime low.

Humidity:
This plant likes higher humidity, from the 50% to 70% range with good air movement as well.

Water:
It is important to water this plant in the morning so the foliage is dry by nightfall, and the spaces between the leaf axils are dry as well. This is to help prevent bacterial infections between the leaves. Use clean water only-such as rain water, distilled, or reverse osmosis water. This plant has no pseudobulbs or thick leaves for storage of water. If you do not water enough, you will know because the new leaves that emerge from the base of the plant will develop an accordion or pleated shape as they come out. This is a sign you need to increase the frequency of watering. Do this, and it will straighten any new leaves which will emerge later.

Fertilizer:
We 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.

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.

Flowering:
This plant can produce several flowers from the base of each growth, flowering over a long period of time. The flowers are about 3-4 inches in size and are extremely fragrant, being somewhat like spicy candy. Eventually you can end up with multiple growths on this plant. The flowering season can be at any time of the year. Whenever it is ready, it will flower.

Repotting:
This plant can be repotted in the spring or in the fall. Avoid high stress times for the plant like summer and winter. We recommend repotting in a medium grade bark mix with charcoal, perlite, and poultry grade peat added as well. When the plant develops 6 or more growths, you can divide it safely into divisions into 2-3 growths per division.