Calanthe – Orchid

Description

Calanthe – There are about 150 species of evergreen, semi evergreen, or deciduous, rhizomatous, terrestrial, occasionally epiphytic orchids, in this genus. They occur in tropical and temperate Asia, Polynesia and Madagascar, ranging from sea level and low land forest to altitudes over 10,000′ feet high. The deciduous species are usually found in woodland or among shaded rocks. They have corm like, sometimes angular, oblong-ellipsoid pseudobulbs, often partially exposed above the soil surface, and basal cluster of 2-5 mid to dark green, folded leaves. Erect to dense flowered spike or racemes of spurred flowers, each with a 3-4 lobed labellum, are borne in spring, summer, or winter. Cool and warm growing orchids (see chart below). Indoors grow in terrestrial orchid potting mix in bright filtered light and high humidity. In summer, water freely and apply half strength liquid fertilizer at every second or third watering. Do not mist. Water evergreen species sparingly in winter. Keep deciduous species completely dry when dormant with minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Divide after flowering. Prone to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, and cymbidium mosaic virus.