Baptistonia echinata
Also known as: The Hedge Hog Baptistonia in the subfamily: Epidendroideae
Native to: Brazil
General Information
The Hedge Hog Baptistonia is a cool to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.
Plant Description
Each new growth has numerous oblong shaped leaves that grow to 3-18cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-12cm
Substrate(s)
- Coarse
- Medium
- Bark
- Charcoal
- Spaghnum Moss
- Perlite
Care Notes
These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.
These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.
Climate
Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 38mm to 239mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 73% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 12C to 26C, highest in August (18C to 26C) and lowest in January (12C to 19C).
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.
Potting
These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow.
Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.
Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,
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. Repotting is best done annually.
