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Comparettia speciosa - species - miniature orchid
Comparettia speciosa - species - miniature orchid
Regular price
$29.00 AUD
Regular price
Sale price
$29.00 AUD
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Comparettia speciosa is a miniature to small-sized orchid species highly prized for its brilliant, long-lasting flowers.
Description and Characteristics
Plant: It is an epiphytic (occasionally lithophytic) orchid that grows on tree branches or rocks. It has oblong-cylindric, lightly compressed pseudobulbs, each carrying a single, thick, leathery leaf. The entire plant typically reaches a height of about 20-25 cm.
Flowers: The plant produces delicate, arching or pendant inflorescences that can be up to 30 cm long and are sometimes branched. Each spike bears up to eight successively opening flowers, about 3 cm (1.25 inches) wide. The flowers are a brilliant red-orange or orange color, with some variations appearing more red in winter and orange in summer. The lip (labellum) is large and prominent, often with darker red veins in the throat. A notable feature is that the inflorescence can continue to produce flowers on side branches after the initial blooms have faded, so it should not be cut after the first bloom cycle.
Blooming Season: It typically blooms in the summer, though flowering can occur from late winter through spring, depending on the specific microclimate.
Habitat and Distribution
Native Range: Comparettia speciosa is indigenous to the wet montane forests of southeastern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. It has also been reported in parts of Colombia and the West Indies.
Elevation: It is found growing at elevations from 700 to 2000 meters (2300 to 6600 feet) above sea level. This wide range indicates a tolerance for intermediate to cool growing conditions.
Cultivation
Light: Requires moderate, shady to bright light conditions.
Temperature: Best grown in intermediate temperatures, with a minimum winter night temperature of around 15°C (55°F). A distinct day/night temperature difference (6-10°C) is beneficial.
Watering: It should be watered regularly during the growing season, allowing the roots to dry quickly after watering. The plant should not be allowed to dry out completely. Rainwater or demineralised water is preferred.
Mounting/Potting: Due to its need for quick root drying, it is often easier to grow it mounted on bark, cork, or tree fern rafts. Roots are quite fine and cannot stay dry for too long during hot days. Potted, a very well-draining mix of fine bark and perlite with charcoal is also suitable.
Fertilisation: A dilute, balanced fertiliser (at 1/4 the recommended strength) with microelements should be used regularly to avoid salt accumulation on the roots, to which the plant is sensitive.
Plants currently in production. You can register your interest by emailing us.
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DBN - PO BOX 4312, North Rocks, NSW 2151, AU - designsbntr@gmail.com
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