Acianthera aurantiolateritia
Native to: Argentina Brazil
General Information
Acianthera aurantiolateritia is a cool to hot growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Argentina and Brazil.
Plant Description
Grows to 13cm. Each new growth has a single leathery thick, erect, arching, oblong shaped leaf. Pseudobulbs grow to 5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth
Substrate(s)
- Coarse
- Medium
- Small
- Bark
- Charcoal
- Spaghnum Moss
- Perlite
Climate
Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 20mm to 150mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 63% to 78%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 25C, highest in June (15C to 25C) and lowest in January (8C to 17C).
Watering
These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.
Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydrationFertiliser
Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.
Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.Potting
Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks or Fern slabs. Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.
