Bletia purpurea

Also known as: The Purple Bletia or Limodorum verecundum Limodorum tuberosum Limodorum trifidum Epidendrum altum Bletia acutipetala Bletia pallida Bletia pottsii Bletia verecunda Cymbidium trifidum Cymbidium verecundum Cymbidium altum Bletia pulchella Bletia havannensis Bletia purpurea var. pittieri Bletia expansa Bletia purpurea h.f. coerulea Bletia purpurea var. alba Gyas verecunda Helleborine americana Pine Pink In Cuba - Candelaria in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bahamas Chiapas - Mexico Colima - Mexico Cuba Departamento del Caqueta - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Guatemala Guerrero - Mexico Guyana Jalisco - Mexico México - Mexico Morelos - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Panama Provincia de San Jose - Costa Rica Puerto Rico Tamaulipas - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Purple Bletia is a small to large cool to hot growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Bahamas, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Guatemala, Guyana, Panama, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

Plant Description

Grows to 100cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped leaves that grow to 5-100cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3.8cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Autumn, Winter and Spring

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Spring
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids grow on the forest floor so are used to rich soil containing plenty of organic matter that is always moist (but not always wet), and prefer constant conditions in terms of humidity, temperature and water supply. They may not be as forgiving as epiphytes in regards to sudden changes in growing conditions so it is wise to ease them into new conditions over a the space of a few days, and repot as infrequently as possible.

Keep an eye on the plants condition regularly as they can decline suddenly if the conditions are not just right. It is more important to keep water supply constant rather than frequent - overwatering often causes rot which can quickly set in, especially in warmer conditions.

These can be grown in shady, moist areas in the garden, supplied they have protection from abrupt changes caused by the elements, e.g. dry winds, frost etc. Being grown around companion plants such as ferns and bromeliads will help build and retain the humidity they require throughout the year.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 43mm to 254mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 74% to 81%, highest in September and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 14C to 31C, highest in August (25C to 31C) and lowest in January (14C to 23C).

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.

Fertiliser

These plants thrive on fertiliser, especially during periods of growth. Liquid fertiliser can be applied at the recommended strength, augmented with manure pellets or other quickly degradable fertiliser, applied away from the base of the plant, during periods of strong growth that occurs in the middle of the growth season.

Do not fertilise during the dormant period. Avoid using slow release fertiliser that breaks down for longer than 3 months, if using apply only after dormancy when new shoots have developed noticably, applied 4-5 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, and by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears. 

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

 

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly Repotting is best done annually.